The 2022 MLS season kicks off as the Philadelphia Union host Minnesota United at Subaru Park.
Fresh off of an appearance in the Eastern Conference finals, Philadelphia hopes to go one step further this year while Minnesota looks to build on a playoff appearance last season.
Team news
The Union will most likely be without defender Sergio Santos, who is in the process of receiving a green card, although his paperwork could be completed in time for him to feature.
Forward Jack Elliott missed the club's first three preseason games, but played in the finale against Nashville with head coach Jim Curtin proclaiming him fit.
For the home side Union, they are sitting with a full healthy squad and have no players on the injury list.
Jan Gregus departed the club in the offseason along with veteran midfielder Osvaldo Alonso after three seasons with the club. Thomas Chacon is on loan with Uruguayan side Liverpool.
Luis Amarilla returns to the club after spending the 2020 season on loan in Minnesota. Bongokuhle Hlongwane has joined after signing from
The Loons will be without Patrick Weah as he is battling a knee injury. Abu Danladi, Chase Gasper, Wil Trapp, Romain Métanire and Jacori Heyes are listed as questionable for the match,
Predicted lineups
Philadelphia: Blake; Wagner, Glesnes, Elliott, Mbaizo; Flach, Martinez, Bedoya; Gazdag; Uhre, Carranza
Minnesota United: Miller; Gasper, Dibassy, Trapp, Metanire; Fragapane, Reynoso, Lod; Hunou
Ones to watch
Daniel Gazdag (Philadelphia Union)
With Jamiro Monteiro having been traded to San Jose in the offseason, much more of the playmaking responsibilities will fall to the Hungarian.
He scored twice in this fixture last year and has shown he has the all-around skills to be perhaps the Union's best player in 2021.
Emanuel Reynoso (Minnesota United)
The Argentine scored five goals and also chipped in with ten assists last season, a big reason for the club's late-season turnaround that saw them reach the playoffs.
Along with Lod, he forms one of the league's most well-rounded duos that can be a handful in any match they suit up for.
Previous meetings
Philadelphia and Minnesota United have met four previous times with the Union winning twice, the Loons once and one match ending in a draw.
In a rare East-West matchup on last year's schedule, Minnesota United came out on top 3-2 at home in October.
Adrien Hunou opened the scoring in the 41st minute after he was fed a neat through ball inside the box by Franco Fragapane, slotting it past Andre Blake at the near post.
Just four minutes later, Philadelphia leveled through midfielder Daniel Gazdag after he sent a curling effort from atop the box into the side netting, beating a diving Tyler Miller right before the halftime whistle.
A Miller blunder gifted the Union their second goal of the game and a go-ahead strike in the 54th minute. He attempted to punch the ball clear out of the air at the near-post but incidentally sent it towards his back post, where Gazdag was waiting.
Nine minutes later through, the Loons equalized. Emanuel Reynoso received the ball in the box and on his first touch, backheeled it to a wide-open Robin Lod, who smashed into the net's roof from 12 yards out.
The game-winner came in the 67th minute after Hunou crafted an initial shot on frame toward Blake. The Jamaican international pushed the ball away from the net, only for it to land right on the head of Franco Fragapane, whose header proved to be the match winner.
How to watch
The match will be shown in both local markets. PHL17 will have all of the action in Philadelphia while Bally Sports North will show the match in Minnesota.
Kickoff is set for 1pm Eastern time.