Live Updates: Philadelphia Union vs. Real Salt Lake
The Union are catching Real Salt Lake, perennially one of MLS' best teams, at perhaps the best possible time.
Time: 7:51 p.m. EDT (see why below)
Venue: PPL Park, Philadelphia, Pa.
TV: NBC Sports Network (Arlo White, Kyle Martino and Russ Thaler; broadcast begins at 7:30 p.m. EDT)
If you haven't read my story from earlier today with the latest details on Peter Nowak's lawsuit against the Union, click here.
The Union are catching Real Salt Lake, perennially one of MLS' best teams, at perhaps the best possible time. Tonight's visitors lost at home to surging FC Dallas last Saturday, then scratched out an ill-tempered CONCACAF Champions League home win over Panamanian club Tauro FC on Tuesday. I wouldn't be surprised if Jason Kreis rests some of his regular players tonight
On the Union's side of the field, it's been said often but it bears repeating: almost every game is a must-win now. Even though they have two games in hand on fifth-place D.C. United and three games in hand on sixth-place Montréal, a 16-point gap in the standings is a huge mountain to climb.
So there's a lot at stake tonight. We'll see if the Union can rise to the occasion.
Philadelphia Union (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper: Zac MacMath
Defenders: Gabriel Farfan, Carlos Valdés, Amobi Okugo, Raymon Gaddis
Midfielders: Michael Lahoud, Brian Carroll; Gabriel Gómez, Michael Farfan, Danny Cruz
Forward: Michael Farfan
Bench: GK Chase Harrison; Ds Chris Albright, Porfirio Lopez; Ms Freddy Adu, Keon Daniel; Fs Josué Martinez, Antoine Hoppenot
Real Salt Lake (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper: Nick Rimando
Defenders: Tony Beltran, Kwame Watson-Siriboe, Nat Borchers, Chris Wingert
Midfielders: Kyle Beckerman, Ned Gravaboy; Luis Gil, Javier Morales, Will Johnson
Forward: Álvaro Saborío
Bench: GK Kyle Reynish; D Chris Schuler; Ms Yordany Alvarez, Jonny Steele, Sebastian Velasquez; Fs Justin Braun, Paulo Jr.
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