Jason Kreis can relate to Jim Curtin.
Earlier this season, New York City FC played three matches in eight days. The Philadelphia Union, tonight's opponent, are currently in the midst of repeating that feat.
"It’s difficult, no doubt about it," Kreis said. "We’ll look to try to take advantage of that situation."
New York City FC lost 2-1 at Philadelphia on April 11, drew 1-1 with the Union on April 16 at home and lost 1-0 to Portland on April 19 at Yankee Stadium.
The Union lost 2-1 at D.C. United on May 30, beat Columbus 3-0 at PPL Park on June 3 and host New York City FC tonight.
READ: New York City FC at Philadelphia Union Match Preview
'Keeping Carousel
The Philadelphia Union have had trouble finding consistency in their net this season. Starter Rais Mbolhi began the season in goal, but struggled (nine goals allowed on 20 shots) and took a leave of absence from the side.
Philadelphia head coach Jim Curtin confirmed during his weekly press conference on May 13 Mbolhi will leave the team during the summer transfer window in July.
Former walk-on John McCarthy replaced Mbolhi beginning with a 2-1 victory over New York City FC on April 11 at PPL Park. He allowed duplicated Mbolhi's statistics, allowing nine goals on 20 shots over five games. McCarthy has been recovering from a concussion sustained on May 5.
Andre Blake, the first overall selection in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft, was fit from suffering a preseason knee injury, but tore the meniscus in his other knee the same day McCarthy got injured.
That left the Union with Brian Sylvestre, a loanee from the Carolina RailHawks. The 22-year-old made his Major League Soccer debut in a 3-0 loss at Vancouver on May 9.
Sylvestre has 13 saves (five goals allowed) in five matches.
PLAYER |
GAMES |
SHOTS |
SAVES |
GOALS ALLOWED |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Rais Mbolhi |
5 |
20 |
10 |
9 |
John McCarthy |
5 |
20 |
10 |
9 |
Brian Sylvestre |
5 |
19 |
13 |
5 |
Goals Allowed
The Union have conceded the most goals in Major League Soccer so far this season.
Philadelphia is the only side to have allowed 20 or more goals. The Union have allowed three or more goals four times in 2015.
TEAM |
GP |
RECORD |
GA |
|---|---|---|---|
Philadelphia Union |
15 |
4-8-3 |
23 |
FC Dallas |
13 |
6-4-3 |
19 |
Columbus Crew SC |
13 |
4-5-4 |
19 |
Real Salt Lake |
14 |
4-5-5 |
18 |
New England Revolution |
14 |
5-3-6 |
18 |
Key Numbers
- Philadelphia has won three of its last four matches; the same number of victories the Union earned in their prior 19 matches.
- New York City FC has yet to score in the first 15 minutes of a match.
- Philadelphia has the second-lowest possession percentage in Major League Soccer (45.64 percent).
