Matchweek 11 is a pivotal one for both New York Red Bulls and Philadelphia Union as they renew their MLS rivalry. Both teams are in the bottom half of the Eastern Conference MLS standings and drastically need a win to start May.
The offenses on both sides have struggled all season, making NY Red Bulls vs Philadelphia Union betting a tricky read. Plus, the Union defense has been uncharacteristically sluggish after thriving last season.
The Union are coming off a semifinal loss in the CONCACAF Champions League and had to travel back from Los Angeles to prepare for Saturday’s game in New Jersey. NYRB have only one win on the season, but they haven’t lost at home with six points from four games at Red Bull Arena.
New York Red Bulls vs. Philadelphia Union Information
New York Red Bulls vs Philadelphia Union
Location of the game: Red Bull Arena. Harrison, New Jersey.
Date & Time: Saturday, May 6. 7:30 p.m. ET.
How to watch: Apple TV+
New York Red Bulls vs. Philadelphia Union Recent Scores
The Red Bulls picked up a point last weekend with a 1-1 tie at Chicago Fire as Cory Burke scored in the 89th minute. They lost 2-0 at Montreal on April 22 and picked up 1-1 draws in their last two home games. The Red Bulls haven’t won since March 18, and the MLS odds are not in their favor to get back to the postseason.
The Union lost 3-0 in the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions League semifinals at LAFC on Tuesday. They didn’t play in MLS last weekend, with a 1-1 draw in the first leg against LAFC at home on April 26. Their last MLS game was a 4-2 home win over Toronto FC on April 22.
New York Red Bulls vs. Philadelphia Union Betting Analysis
New York Red Bulls struggle to score.
The Red Bulls have scored seven MLS goals this season, from seven different players. Burke netted his first goal in a Red Bulls uniform on Saturday off a corner kick assist from John Tolkin. New York is among the lowest-scoring teams in the league, with 0.7 goals per game and only 4.2 shots on goal per game.
This is the worst 10-game start for the Red Bulls since 2009, when they also had nine points at this stage. The 2009 season was the last time the Red Bulls missed the MLS Cup playoffs.
Trailing early doesn’t seem to bother RBNY. They have picked up seven of their nine points from a trailing position, including last weekend’s 1-1 draw.
Union Giving Up More Goals than Normal.
Last year, while winning the Eastern Conference, the Union allowed just 26 goals in the entire season. In the first 10 games of 2023, they have allowed 13 goals and have just a +1 goal differential. The results are surprising as the Union mostly kept their 2022 roster intact, including star goalkeeper Andre Blake and two finalists for MLS Defender of the Year in Kai Wagner and Jakob Glenses.
But for whatever reason, that unit isn’t playing to the same level they did last year. Coupled with an offense scoring 1.4 goals per game, compared to 2.2 last year, the Union are outside the playoff picture nearly a third of the way into the season.
Mikael Uhre leads the Union with five goals, while Daniel Gazdag and Julian Carranza have three each. That leaves just three goals scored by the supporting cast, a drastic change from last year when 13 different players scored in league action.
Updates
The Red Bulls will again be without suspended Dante Vanzier, while Lewis Morgan, Frankie Amaya, and Luquinhos are all doubtful with injuries. Serge Ngoma, Steven Sserwadda, and Matthew Nocita are all rehabbing long-term injuries and have yet to play significant minutes this season.
The Union don’t have any suspensions and are relatively healthy. Jose Martinez is dealing with a hamstring injury and likely won’t feature on Saturday but coach Jim Curtin said this week it isn’t a long-term injury.
New York Red Bulls vs. Philadelphia Union Betting Preview
Looking at the odds for NY Red Bulls vs Philadelphia Union betting, the hosts are favored.
Moneyline: The Red Bulls are +110 on the moneyline while the Union are +235, and a draw is +230.
Over/Under: The over/under for goals scored is 2.5, with the over at +115 and the under at -140.
New York Red Bulls vs. Philadelphia Union Betting Prediction
With NY Red Bulls vs Philadelphia Union betting, prior results are important. The Union haven’t lost any of their last nine games against the Red Bulls. They are also playing better over recent action, with Uhre getting a hat-trick against Toronto.
Look for the Union to get out to an early lead and try to hold on against the comeback kids from New York.
- Pick: Philadelphia Union 2, New York Red Bulls 1.
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