It has been more than a month since the Philadelphia Union lost an MLS match.
And, almost nearly as long since FC Cincinnati won a game.
Looking to extend their unbeaten run to five consecutive matches, the visiting Union aim to hand lowly Cincinnati a sixth straight loss on Saturday night.
Third in the Eastern Conference, Philadelphia (11-7-9, 42 points) is 3-0-1 following back-to-back defeats to D.C. United on Aug. 28 and New England on Sept. 3. The Union have conceded just two goals over those last four matches and posted two clean sheets, including last weekend — 3-0 over Columbus.
However, Philadelphia will be minus a host of players on international duty this weekend.
“We have a tough task,” coach Jim Curtain told the Union’s official website.
“We’re going to be quite a bit short-handed with us missing six-seven starters. Others will have to step up.”
Rookie midfielder Leon Flach, 20, could see more minutes after recording his first league goal against Columbus.
Philadelphia has never conceded a goal vs. Cincinnati and leads the all-time series, 3-0-1. It will be the first meeting between the two this season.
Owner of the fewest points in MLS, FCC (4-15-8, 20 points) is in danger of losing six in a row for the second time in club history. Its most recent triumph came on Sept. 11, vs. Toronto FC. Following last weekend’s 1-0 home defeat to New York Red Bulls, Cincinnati has dropped eight of its last nine.
Amid the club’s lingering troubles this season, the goal remains to find anything positive to build on and focus on achieving any amount of success.
“We all need to be switched on and create a competitive atmosphere because we’re all good enough to play,” forward Arquimides Ordonez told Cincinnati’s official website.
FCC star Brenner has recorded a team-leading seven goals, but none in his last three league matches.
Cincinnati made news league-wide this week by hiring former Philadelphia technical director Chris Albright as its new general manager.
–Field Level Media
