RBNY MLS Fantasy Scouting Report: Philadelphia Union

The New York Red Bulls were able to get a point on the road against a very good FC Dallas team, but they weren't the only one to gather points against a #1 ranked team last week.  The Philadelphia Union beat D.C. United, 1-0, to start what they hope will be the process of pulling themselves out of the ditch they have dug so far in their 2015 campaign.  Overall, Philly isn't a good team.  The Union will also be missing its top fantasy scorers at EVERY position.  Here are their top performers who will actually make the trip to NY:

GK whirlwind: It's been an interesting season for the Union between the sticks.  Rais Mbolhi (17 points) started the first five games of the season and couldn't earn a win (0-3-2).  Then they tried their luck with John McCarthy (14 points) for the next five, but managed only one win (1-3-1).  Now they are onto their third starting keeper in Brian Sylvestre.  They lost 3-0 to his former club, Vancouver, in his first start, but he tallied 7 saves in the effort.  He then followed it up with a clean sheet against DC.  It seems like Sylvestre will be the natural starter against RBNY.

Blasé defense: The main four defensive starters all have between 26 and 29 points on the year.  The team has two clean sheets in 12 attempts, so RBNY will have the chances to score this weekend.  Their top point-getter in Steven Vitoria (29 points) has missed the last three games with a groin injury, so Raymon Gaddis, Ethan White (28 points each) and Sheanon Williams (26 points) will have to keep up their efforts from last game

Cristian Maidana (MID, 35 points; 1 goal, 1 assist): Maurice Edu (36 points) should be the topic of this paragraph, but he received his 5th yellow card of the season in the 94th minute against DC, so he will miss the RBNY match.  Maidana has been a staple for the Union midfield the last six games, playing all 90 in the last four.  RBNY will need to watch out for former player, Sebastien Le Toux (34 points) who has appeared in all 12 games this season and recorded two assists.

Andrew Wenger (FWD, 23 points; 853 MP): Striker is an unfortunate position for the Union right now.  Fernando Aristeguieta (32 points) has been named to the Venezuelan preliminary squad for Copa America, so may miss the RBNY game.  Also, Wenger has really done nothing all season.  He's appeared in all 12 games, but has not registered one point.  He scored 8 goals after being traded to the Union last year, but has not found his 2014 form.

My prediction should be fairly obvious, but I won't give it yet.  You can catch the RBNY-Union game Sunday at 5pm at Red Bull Arena or on Fox Sports 1.