Major League Soccer

Mar 2, 2025 at 12.30am UK

Subaru Park

Philadelphia vs CincinnatI

Match preview

Bradley Carnell took the reins of the Philadelphia Union following an underwhelming MLS campaign in 2024, which saw the club miss out on the postseason for the first time since 2017.

The Union finished last season on a low note, losing their final three regular season games, and their poor form seemed to carry over into pre-season, where they suffered three consecutive defeats to extend their losing streak to six.

Carnell's side finally found their stride in their final pre-season match, a 1-0 win over CF Montreal, but their attacking concerns remained as they failed to score more than once in any of their warm-up games.

That changed in the opener as Philadelphia looked much sharper in the final third, scoring four times and Tai Baribo scoring a brace to end a four-match winless streak against the Lions.

Carnell will be hoping for another attacking display in the club's first home game of the season, although history is not in their favour as the Union have won just once, drawn once and lost four of their last six meetings with Cincinnati, including a 2-1 defeat at Subaru Park last time out.

Cincinnati, meanwhile, enjoyed an unbeaten preseason, recording wins over CF Montréal (1-0) and Philadelphia (4-1) and draws with Houston Dynamo (1-1) and Atlanta United (2-2).

They carried that momentum into the Concacaf Champions Cup, where they crushed Honduran side Motagua 4-1 in the first leg before drawing 1-1 in the return leg to win 5-2 on aggregate.

That strong form continued into their MLS campaign, with an efficient display earning them a 1-0 win over the Red Bulls in their opening match.

Having fallen at the first hurdle in last season's MLS Cup play-offs, head coach Pat Noonan will be looking to his side to be even more ruthless this time around, especially on the road - it was a 3-1 away defeat to the Red Bulls that knocked them out of the competition last season.

Recent Performance

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Philadelphia Union form (all competitions):LDLLWW

FC Cincinnati Major League Soccer form:DLLLWW

FC Cincinnati form (all competitions):WLLWWD

Team News

Philadelphia Union will be without Markus Anderson, who remains sidelined with an ankle injury, while Isaiah LeFlore is also out with a leg problem.

Right-back Nathan Harriel is a doubt, having only recently returned to training and the start of the season comes too soon for him.

Cincinnati, meanwhile, will be without Luca Orellano, Sergio Santos and Gerardo Valenzuela due to leg injuries, while Nick Hagglund is nursing an ankle problem.

Goalkeeper Alec Kann is out with a hip injury, while defender Matt Miazga is out with a knee problem.

Possible starting lineup

Philadelphia Union possible starting lineup:

Blake; Wagner, Glesnes, Makhanya, Westfield; Jacques, Lukic; Gazdag, Sullivan, Baribo; Uhre

FC Cincinnati possible starting lineup:

Celentano; Engel, Flores, Robinson, Hadebe, Yedlin; Bucha, Nwobodo, Evander; Denkey, Kubo