We've got everything you need to get set for Saturday's 4:00 PM tilt at PPL Park, plus bonus YES Network hate and our infamous match thread!
EDITOR'S NOTE: The New York-area TV broadcast of today's game will be shown on tape-delay on the YES Network. Scroll down to our "How to Watch" section for more information.
We've been having a ball this week with our previewin', analyzin', player-hatin' mega-collaboration with the Brotherly Game in anticipation of New York City's two games in six days against Philadelphia. Find every column -- from both sites, sure shot! -- by CLICKING HERE.
Now, let's do this thing!
INJURY REPORT
Philadelphia Union:
OUT: Bird (hernia), Lee (quad strain), Alves (heel contusion)
QUESTIONABLE: Nogueria (ankle sprain), Maidana (MCL sprain), Casey (abdominal strain)
New York City:
DOUBTFUL: Facey (hip adductor strain)
PROBABLE: Villa (hip adductor tendinopathy), Velasquez (hip adductor strain)
PROJECTED STARTING LINEUPS
Philadelphia Union:
New York City:
If Villa is unfit to start, Hudson River Blue projects Javier Calle to go in his place.
HOW TO WATCH
Philadelphia Union vs. New York City FC
PPL Park, Chester, PA
April 11, 2015
4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT (Streaming on MLS Live & Fox Sports GO / listen on WFAN Radio)
IMPORTANT TV NOTE: The YES Network, NYCFC's broadcast partner in the New York area, will not be showing the game live. Due to the Yankees-Red Sox game earlier in the afternoon, the YES broadcast of Philly-NYC will be show in its entirety on tape-delay beginning at 5:00 PM. Here is the official statement from network representative Eric Handler:
Please note that, due to a conflict with its Boston Red Sox-New York Yankees telecast tomorrow afternoon, YES will air the Philadelphia Union-New York City FC soccer match in its entirety beginning at approximately 5 pm ET tomorrow, immediately following the network’s Red Sox-Yankees post-game show. The actual Philadelphia-NYC FC match will start at 4 pm ET and will be streamed live via the FOX Sports GO app to authenticated YES viewers whose operators have streaming deals with YES (Cablevision/Optimum and Time Warner Cable).
Any questions on the YES programming schedule should be sent to ehandler[at]yesnetwork[dot]com.
RUNNIN' THE NUMBERS
Fernando Aristiguieta's three goals are the most for a Philadelphia player so far this season. Ranking second with two? Own goals. No other Union player has found the net.
New York City FC have not scored a goal in their last 186 minutes of play, while the single goal they surrendered in their last match against Sporting KC ended a 192-minute shutout streak.
The Union have allowed five goals on set pieces this season, dead-last in MLS.
Four players made their NYCFC debuts in the previous match: Kwame Watson-Siriboe, Tony Taylor, Kwadwo Poku, and Tom McNamara.
New York City ranks last in MLS in "key crosses"-- crosses that led to shots on target.
POTENT QUOTABLES
Union midfielder Brian Carroll on searching for that first win: ““We are frustrated that we haven't won yet because a lot of us feel like we should have been able to get one. There is still a good belief and backing among everyone in the group that we will push forward and get this first win and move on from there.”
NYC manager Jason Kreis on deciding to bench David Villa for the last match: “Every time, every week he’s said 'feels good, I’m ready to go,' and [before the SKC match] was the first time where the pain was just too unbearable.”
Union winger Sebastien Le Toux, after last week's 3-2 loss to Sporting KC: "It's just set pieces. We are too weak to win our battles. They wanted it more than us and they scored. It's the same story in the last few games. We can't keep a result when we are up. It's just the same story for us.”
NYC midfielder Ned Grabavoy on the depth of their squad: “We certainly have made changes in every game, and the substitutions have been great with their energy. I thought they were great again. I think we’ve been really good in the second halves [of games], and I hope that doesn't change.”
Philly manager Jim Curtin on benching first-choice goalkeeper Rais Mbohli for this week: “I just think ... that he doesn’t seem like himself. He didn’t seem like the goalkeeper that was winning us games in the preseason, singlehandedly. I think the confidence is gone in him.”
MATCH THREAD RULES
Let's do it again! Overjoyed that you've decided to shack up with us today. Remember to tip your wait staff, mind the gap, and check out the rest of the magisteeeeerial news, commentary, and multimedia adventures up and down Hudson River Blue. While you're here, though, we have a few rules and regulations.
Absolutely no links to illegal streams. They're bad, and Rafael will be penalized by having to cover the Cosmos the rest of the season. Sam will be forcibly disappeared. Seriously, though, they are illegal.
We have rules against "relentless negativity." Nobody likes a Negative Nancy or Doubtful Donald, even if the team gets off to a gruesome start. Don't knee-jerk and post outlandish or hurtful things just because you're frustrated.
Along those lines, outright abuse of players or match officials is verboten. It's fine to say "wow, that's a bad call, match official," but it's NOT okay to direct copious amounts of abuse in the direction of said official over a call you did not like.
Treat other people in the match thread the way you would want someone else to treat your grandmother. Be nice. Observe Wheaton's Law. This is a community of fans, not an un-moderated message board.
Finally, while we don't have a rule against profanity, any language that is sexist, racist, or homophobic in nature will be swiftly deleted and you may lose posting privileges. This is an open, supportive community.
Most importantly: have fun. Let's get a win today and remind everyone that New York pizza is better than "steak" and Cheez Whiz will EVER be.