Sunday’s match is the second meeting between Philadelphia Union and New York City this year, but alot has changed for both sides since then. Since Ryan Richter, former Union player turned academy coach, first team assistant, and most recently Union II Head Coach, took over as the first team’s interim, the Boys in Blue have built a three-match win streak in MLS play, securing nine points to move out of the Eastern Conference basement.
The team now sits at 13th place with 16 points – seven away from the playoff line. After a Leagues Cup campaign that ended in Phase One, the team will shift their focus toward continuing their climb up the standings during a strenuous end-of-summer schedule starting with three matches in a week’s time.