Philadelphia Union vs. Inter Miami Match Preview | OneFootball

The return fixture of one of the best MLS matches of the season happens this Wednesday. In the last game before the World Cup break, Inter Miami beat Philadelphia Union 6-4 in a wild end-to-end affair. It was the highest scoring first half in MLS history with the sides level at 4-4 at the break. A red hot Philadelphia now seeks revenge for that defeat as they host the reigning champions.

Match Details

Who: Philadelphia Union vs. Inter MiamiWhat: MLS Regular SeasonWhere: Subaru Park, Chester, PennsylvaniaWhen: Wednesday August 19, 7:30 PM ET / 4:30 PM PTWatch: Apple TV

Revitalized Union Aiming For Fifth Straight MLS Win

Who has been the best team in MLS since the World Cup break? None other than the Philadelphia Union, who were the worst team in the whole league before the biggest stage in world football came to the States. Ryan Richter has brought new life into this side, including a never say die attitude very fitting for a Philadelphia team. 

The last two league victories for the Union perfectly encapsulate the mentality shift in the locker room. Against both Atlanta and NYCFC, Philadelphia found themselves down 2-0. In the first half of the season that deficit would have been insurmountable. Not under Richter. They won both matches 3-2 in incredible fashion, first beating Atlanta thanks to two stoppage time goals then taking down rivals NYCFC after a Bruno Damiani brace. The Union now believe they can win any match and have become a fascinating story to follow.

Philadelphia is known as the City of Brotherly Love. That’s why Saturday’s comeback against NYCFC was so poetic. Brothers Cavan and Quinn Sullivan provided the assists for all three Union goals, delivering a win developed in one special household. It started with Cavan winning a free kick in a dangerous area that was sent into the box by Kai Wagner. The younger Sullivan got his head to it, flicking it on to Danley Jean Jacques who cut the NYCFC lead in half. He then finished a counterattack with an unselfish square ball to Damiani for an easy tap in. Quinn completed the remontada, beating James Sands to a Jesús Bueno through ball before copying his brother and finding a wide open Damiani for another tap in. Those two will once again be key for Philadelphia against Inter Miami, providing creativity from the wings.

Inter Miami Look To Rebound From Nashville Beatdown

Lionel Messi is the greatest footballer to ever live and often looks like a god among men when he’s playing. The one thing that makes him look human is taking a penalty. His struggles from the spot were well documented at the World Cup, missing against Austria and Egypt. His penalty woes continued last time out against Nashville as he missed his third consecutive spot kick on the way to a 4-1 loss in the Music City.

Finishing chances was a big problem for Inter Miami in that loss. Even taking away that penalty, they still accumulated 1.44 xG and only managed to score once. For a team boasting two of the best attackers of this generation, that’s concerning. Luis Suárez looked like a shadow of himself and failed to take a single shot. Messi on the other hand tried everything he could to score but to no avail. The Argentine magician took 11 shots on Saturday, hitting the post twice. He also had a goal denied by the offside flag. They’ll need to be more clinical against a Union team that has scored 10 goals in their last four league matches.

The glaring hole for Miami is in between the sticks. Reigning MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Dayne St. Clair was brought in from Minnesota United during the offseason to be the solution to the issues in goal, but he has been a huge disappointment. The Canadian international lost his starting spot over the World Cup break to Rocco Ríos Novo. However, the 24 year old hasn’t been much better. He made a huge mistake in the first game back against Chicago Fire, swinging and missing in a pitiful clearance attempt that ended in a comical own goal. Ríos Novo was at the scene of the crime again on Saturday. He got stuck in no man’s land after coming way too far out of his box and misjudging the ball. Herons fans are now left wondering if St. Clair will get another chance.

Match Prediction

Although this match is unlikely to live up to the 6-4 thriller these sides played out in May, it should still be an entertaining goalfest. The Union haven’t beaten Miami in their last six clashes with Messi’s men but they’re in the best form of any team in MLS and will like their odds. Messi will get on the scoresheet but it won’t be enough. I back Philadelphia to pull off another improbable comeback in front of their home fans.

Prediction: Philadelphia Union 3-2 Inter Miami