NYCFC vs Philadelphia Union preview: Back in Queens for a challenging game | OneFootball

On Saturday, New York City FC will head to Citi Field for the first time this season as the Pigeons welcome the Philadelphia Union to Queens.  The game will be a challenging one since the Union is already having a much stronger season compared to 2024, a year that they missed the playoffs.

Meanwhile, NYCFC is coming off back-to-back losses due to different reasons.  The loss to Atlanta United FC was due to a disastrous defensive performance and a terrible offensive showing is why the team lost to Minnesota United FC last week.  The fact they must now face Philadelphia can leave fans uneasy and doubtful that the Boys in Blue can get a positive result.

Nevertheless, the pressure will be on Matt Freese and his defense.  They have given up six goals in the last two games, despite the fact that the goalkeeper played well last week.  They also might be playing the Union at the right time.  The visitors are good this year, but three of their four wins came during their first three matches and they only have two goals in their last three.

Will NYCFC continue the rough patch?  Or will they redeem themselves after the last few weeks?  Here is a preview of the Pigeons’ Citi Field game against Philadelphia.

NYCFC vs Philadelphia Union preview

Date

NYCFC and the Philadelphia Union will face one another on Saturday, April 12.

Time

The match will start at 7:30 PM ET.

Location

The fixture is in Flushing in Queens, NY at Citi Field.

How to watch

Supporters can watch the game on Apple TV via the MLS Season Pass.

Weather

It will not be the best night for a game.  It will be cloudy with a chance of showers.  However, it will already be wet since rain will fall during the day.  It will be about 42 degrees, but the feel-like temperature will be around 34 due to the rain and the 18 mph winds.

Injury report

Jacob Arroyave (knee) and Malachi Jones (leg) continue to be out for NYCFC.  Andrés Perea is finally off the injury report.

Players to watch

This week, NYCFC fans should watch the entire backline.  The defense needs a superb showing against a talented Philadelphia team.  They must capture the defensive magic from the Columbus Crew draw and not make any devastating mistakes.  It does not matter who starts either, for everyone, regardless of whether they start or come off the bench, must be at the top of their game.

Originally, it was thought the player to watch on the Union would be Dániel Gazdag, but he was sent to the Columbus Crew via a cash-for-player trade.  Now, fans should watch Tai Baribo.  The forward has six goals, but he has not scored since March 8.  As such, he will be hungry to score, and the Boys in Blue must keep an eye on him.

Philadelphia might have only won once in their last four games, but NYCFC has struggled mostly against the team since they beat them in the MLS Cup Playoffs in 2021.  The team from Queens also lost terribly the last time they played the Union.  That is why the prediction for Saturday is that NYCFC will lose 3-1.  It would be better to be hopeful, but at this time, belief is a little low.