Minnesota United vs. Philadelphia Union | 2017 MLS Match Preview

Franco Panizo

Minnesota United vs. Philadelphia Union
2017 MLS Regular Season
TCF Bank Stadium - Minneapolis, Minnesota
Saturday, September 9 – 8 pm ET
WATCH: MLS LIVE

The Philadelphia Union's playoff hopes are dwindling, and they need a win in order to restore some faith in their ability to make it to the postseason. Unfortunately for them, they are set to take on a team that is full of confidence after coming off a surprise victory.

Minnesota United will welcome the Union to TCF Bank Stadium on Saturday in the two clubs' first encounter. Minnesota are coming off a 2-1 road victory over the Chicago Fire, so they will be feeling pretty good heading into this one against a Philadelphia team that is on a four-game winless skid. Making matters worse for the Union is that they will be without Alejandro Bedoya due to suspension, meaning they will have to have someone step up in order to prevail away from home and improve their chances of surviving the regular season.

Minnesota United

Suspended: None
International Duty: None
Injury Report: OUT – M Bernardo Anor (left lower leg injury); M Sam Cronin (head injury); M/D - Thomas de Villardi (left Achilles injury); D - Jermaine Taylor (head injury); QUESTIONABLE: F Christian Ramirez (hamstring injury)

Projected Starting XI (4-2-3-1, left to right): Bobby Shuttleworth — Francisco Calvo, Brent Kallman, Michael Boxall, Jerome Thiessen — Ibson, Sam Cronin — Sam Nicholson, Kevin Molino, Ethan Finlay — Abu Danladi

Notes: Minnesota put an end to a two-game losing slide by defeating the Chicago Fire 2-1 at Toyota Park on Aug. 26. The win was the first on the road in Minnesota United’s MLS history, after eight losses and two draws on their travels. ... Abu Danladi scored a pair of goals, and is now with five goals in 18 appearances (10 starts) in his first MLS season to lead all rookies in the league. Danladi has scored three goals in the last four games.

Philadelphia Union

Suspended: M Alejandro Bedoya, D Joshua Yaro
International Duty: None
Injury Report: OUT – M Brian Carroll (lumbar disc herniation), M Fabian Herbers (sports hernia), D Ken Tribbett (left Achilles strain); QUESTIONABLE – M Maurice Edu (left ankle/left tibia surgery recovery)

Projected Starting XI (4-2-3-1, left to right):Andre Blake – Giliano Wijnaldum, Oguchi Onyewu, Jack Ellliott, Keegan Rosenberry – Haris Medunjanin, Warren Creavalle – Fafa Picault, Roland Alberg, Chris Pontius – CJ Sapong

Notes: The Union saw their winless streak extended to four matches in a 2-2 draw with Atlanta United on Aug. 26 at Bobby Dodd Stadium. ... Roland Alberg scored a goal and added an assist in the match. It was the third time in his two MLS seasons he scored a goal and added an assist in the same game.