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The Philadelphia Union clinched their sixth straight playoff berth on September 20, 2023, but as they head to Yankee Stadium to face Matt Freese and NYCFC a playoff berth isn’t as inevitable as it has been in a long time. The Union aren’t far below the playoff line but with DC United and Atlanta United awaiting at home a result in the Bronx would go a long way to relieve the pressure.

In the email today:

1. ⏰ Union Running Out of Time

With six games left, the Philadelphia Union are running out of time like it’s 2017. That was the last time they missed the playoffs. They missed out that year by three points in large part because of 8 points dropped in their final six games. No one who was there forgets their 6-1 drubbing of Orlando City in Chester on Decision Day but their 0-0 draw in New Jersey, 3-0 loss in Atlanta and 3-2 loss to the Fire back when they still played in Bridgeview sealed their fate.

Just like in 2017 the Union have half of their games on the road starting with a trip to the baseball diamond in the Bronx tonight. The big difference from then and now is that the Union had just one win away from home then and they have more wins away from home this year (4) than at home (3).

They are also just three points back of DC United for the last playoff spot with a game in hand and one point back of Atlanta.

Make no mistake, this is also a better team than the 2017 edition just two years removed from an appearance in the MLS Cup final. They are underachieving - Blake’s injury woes haven’t helped - but realistically have a chance to not only cruise into the playoffs but make plenty of noise once they do.

There’s no reason to panic but a strong performance in the Bronx tonight could go a long way in building confidence not only to the locker room but to the stands.

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2. 🐍 Harriel to Start at Center Back in Place of Suspended Elliott

Nathan Harriel will get the nod at center back with Jack Elliott serving a one-game suspension for yellow card accumulation and the status of Andre Blake and Danley Jean Jacques remains a question heading into tonight’s midweek match in the Bronx.

Philadelphia Union head coach Jim Curtin said Tuesday that Harriel, a right back, would step in for Elliott. Since the sale of Damion Lowe to Saudi Arabia, the Union have been without a bonafide third choice option at center back. South African center back Olwethu Makhanya, 20, has logged more than 1,600 minutes in MLS Next Pro this season but still awaits his MLS debut.

“Nathan’s going to be the the guy that starts the game while Makhanya can come off the bench if we need Him, we trust him to use him as well,” Curtin said.

Blake, who missed the game Saturday in Miami, and Danley, who played 8 minuts as a sub but is still nursing a sore ankle, are both question marks.

“Andre and Danley are kind of both in the same ballpark where they’ll be day to day,” Curtin said. “Dre has been at least out on the field now the past couple days, which is encouraging and Danley has as well. We’ll have to make a decision on them.”

3. ⚾️ Tweet of the Day: Take Me Out to the Ballgame

4. 💧 Water Cooler: Point Prediction Results

Half of these answers to our point prediction for Inter Miami and NYC are still in play. Let’s hope it’s the 3 point prediction.

5. 🔗 Link Roundup

• Even when Union II loses like they did in Fort Lauderdale on Sunday they make it interesting.

• Andrei Chirila has joined his brother Stefan Chirila in signing a professional contract with the FC Cincinnati organization. The Allentown natives both played in the Philadelphia Union Academy prior to joining Cincinnati.

• West Chester United has added the EPSL to their list of competitions this year and they opened their first campaign as WC Predators with a 1-0 win over last year’s regular champions Alloy SC.

• Salesianum and Saint Augustine Prep played a barn burner of a match on Saturday night in Wilmington. It had the atmosphere of a state final (if one existed between Delaware and South Jersey prep schools) and ended with the visitors capturing a 6-5 win in overtime.

• Todd Lewis of The Free Kick broke down the goals in the Inter Miami loss.

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