On Thursday, starting with 14:00, the New York City – Philadelphia Union match will be played, within the group stage of the “MLS is back” tournament. New York City won the previous 4 direct duels with Philadelphia Union, the last one in October 2019, score 2-1 away. At home, the hosts have always prevailed in the last 5 disputes with Philadelphia Union. However, the matches in this unique tournament are played on neutral ground, at Bay Lake (Florida).
The “MLS is back” tournament begins with the group stage and ends with an eliminatory play-off. The winner will qualify for the 2021 edition of the CONCACAF Champions League, and the 2020 MLS season will resume after this competition. New York City played two MLS games, both 0-1, against Columbus Crew and Toronto FC. The team sponsored by Manchester City is coached by the Norwegian Ronny Deila, former at Celtic Glasgow and Valerenga, and one of the most important players is the Romanian international Alexandru Mitrita.
Instead, Philadelphia Union scored a point in the two stages played in the 2020 MLS season, 0-2 with FC Dallas and 3-3 with Los Angeles FC. Former US Open Cup finalist in 2014, 2015 and 2018, the team now coached by Jim Curtis finished the previous season in MLS in fifth place, being eliminated in the playoff semifinals. Grouping without any notable performance, Philadelphia Union never qualified for the CONCACAF Champions League, as did New York City.
-David Villa was the hosts captain between 2015 and 2018;
-New York City is one of the “satellite” groups of Manchester City;
-Philadelphia Union was a finalist 3 times in the US Open Cup;
-Frenchman Sebastien Le Toux (56 goals) is the best scorer in the history of the guests;
PREDICTION: Both teams to score / YES @ 1,44
