Philadelphia Union vs New York Red Bulls; MLS 2017, Week 16: Match Thread

The high point of the Philadelphia Union's 2017 league campaign to date is a four-game winning streak that started with the New York Red Bulls' last visit to Talen Energy Stadium. That streak ended on May 27 with a loss in Utah to Real Salt Lake, and has since been followed by another loss on the road - to NYCFC on June 3.

For RBNY, the MLS regular season has been one of ups and downs, with the ups mostly coming at home and the downs reliably arriving on the road. The team started MLS 2017 with a win in Atlanta, and that is the last time it won a game outside Red Bull Arena. It also hasn't scored a goal outside RBA since the beginning of April.

On current form, both these teams seem destined to rely on a late surge to secure a playoff spot and the necessary momentum to feel confident about the post-season. This game won't radically change that assessment for either side, but it could leave one feeling a little better about its prospects than the other.

Neither side is going to fall out of the playoff based on the result of this match, but either will feel a gentle increase in pressure to improve its form if this game is lost.