The MLS returns to the fold this weekend with an opening fixture featuring Philadelphia Union and Minnesota United at the Subaru Park in Chester. Match day is scheduled for 26th February 2022 at 21:00 EAT.
Philadelphia was one of the top contenders of Eastern Conference in the last season MLS. The team achieved the second position in the Eastern Conference league table and was promoted to the play-offs. They earned 54 points totally in the season. In their last ten matches Philadelphia Union won five times scoring in all the ten matches.
Philadelphia Union will be looking to start their campaign with positive results after the 1-2 MLS Cup Playoffs loss to New York City FC in their last league game. In that match, Philadelphia Union managed 35% possession eight shots with three of them on target and an own goal by Callens (63′). New York City FC got 11 shots with five of them on target and goals by Moralez (65′) and Magno (88′).
Minnesota on the other hand played well last year in the Western Conference and achieved fifth position finish with 49 points to their name. The team had mixed results at the end of the season. In their last ten meetings Minnesota won thrice scoring in all of them. The side has many players who have been together for a long time; there is a large amount of unpredictability for the Loons heading into 2022.
In their last league game The Loons suffered 3-1 MLS Cup Playoffs at the hands of Portland Timbers and they will look for a positive start here. In that match, Minnesota United managed 52% possession, 10 shots with six of them on target and a goal scored by Fragapane (11′). Portland Timbers got 18 shots four of them on target and goals by Mabiala (43′) and Blanco (47′, 66′).
Philadelphia Union vs Minnesota United head to head
These two sides have had four direct encounters since 2017. Out of the four meeting Philadelphia Union claims two wins, Minnesota United a single win and they have drawn once.
- Minnesota 3-2 Philadelphia 21/10/21
- Minnesota 2-3 Philadelphia 02/06/19
- Philadelphia 5-1 Minnesota 07/10/18
- Minnesota 1-1 Philadelphia 10/09/17
Home
- Philadelphia 1-1 Nashville
- Philadelphia 2-1 Montreal
- Philadelphia 1-1 Cincinnati
- Philadelphia 1-2 New York City
- Philadelphia 2-0 Nashville
Away
- Minnesota 2-2 Viking FK
- Salt Lake 0-0 Minnesota
- Portland 1-0 Minnesota
- Orlando 4-5 Minnesota
- Chicago 0-0 Minnesota
Philadelphia Union team news
Philadelphia Union gaffer Jim Curtin will miss out a number of players who are still on quarantine the likes of Joe Bendik, Jack Elliott, Jakob Glesnes, Alejandro Bedoya, Quinn Sullivan and Sergio Santosare.
Minnesota United team news
The visitors get into this encounter with a fully fit squad.
Prediction and odds
We reckon that it will be a narrow 2-1 winning margin for Philadelphia Union at the end of the match.
- Philadelphia Union win
- Draw
- Both teams to score
