New York Red Bulls
- Record: 4-1-5, 17 points, third place in Eastern Conference
- Previous Match: Draw, 0-0 at FC Dallas
- Record in Last Five Matches: 1-1-3
- Leading Goal Scorer: Bradley Wright-Phillips (5)
- Assist Leader: Felipe/Bradley Wright-Phillips/Lloyd Sam (3)
- Saves Leader: Luis Robles (24)
Philadelphia Union
- Record: 2-7-3, 9 points, eighth place in Eastern Conference
- Previous Match: Win, 1-0 vs. D.C. United
- Record in Last Five Matches: 1-4-0
- Leading Goal Scorer: Fernando Aristeguieta (3)
- Assist Leader: Christian Maidana, Sebastien Le Toux (2)
- Saves Leader: Rais Mbolhi, John McCarthy (10)
Scouting Philadelphia
Philadelphia has utilized a 4-2-3-1 formation through the beginning of the season. The club got its second win of 2015 last week in surprising fashion over the Eastern Conference leaders, D.C. United.
U.S. Under-23 international Zach Pfeffer scored in the 93rd minute to lift the Philadelphia Union to victory last weekend, while the backline and goalkeeper Brian Sylvestre were able to quiet a D.C. United attack that has scored 13 goals.
The defense helped record the second clean sheet of the season despite missing Steven Vitoria with a groin injury. Sylvestre owes his defense, as he was not required to make a single save to keep the clean sheet.
Red Bulls coach Jesse Marsch has noted Philadelphia’s organization in the back line. Injuries have been an obstacle for them, and now they’ll have to deal with the loss of midfielder Maurice Edu who received his fifth yellow card of the season last game and will subsequently miss the match this weekend. Philly’s leading goal scorer, Fernando Aristeguieta, may also miss the match after making the preliminary Copa America squad for his native Venezuela.
Players to Watch
The Red Bulls were held scoreless last weekend for the first time this season. The team is near the top in most offensive categories, due in large part to striker Bradley Wright-Phillips. The Englishman has 17 shots on goal this year with five of them finding the back of the net.
Despite continued production from the 2014 MLS Golden Boot Winner, the Red Bulls have balanced out the scoring in 2015. Six different players have already found the back of the next, compared to a total of nine goal scorers in all of 2014.
For the Union, it’s Christian Maidana who will be the man to watch on Sunday. Maidana missed time with injury earlier in the season, but has been healthy enough to play a full 90 minutes in each of his last four matches. With one goal and two assists from the midfield, Maidana has been one of the bright spots for the Union.
