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SOCCER

Possible Philadelphia Union, NYCFC lineups in MLS Cup Eastern Conference final

On Sunday, Philadelphia Union and New York City FC meet in the Eastern Conference final for the second straight year.

Update:
On Sunday, Philadelphia Union and New York City FC meet in the Eastern Conference final for the second straight year.
David KirouacUSA TODAY Sports

In a repeat of last year’s final in the East, Philadelphia Union host defending league champions New York City FC in Sunday’s 2022 conference decider, with an MLS Cup final against Los Angeles FC or Austin FC awaiting the winner.

When the Union and NYCFC met at this stage in 2021, goals by Maxi Moralez and Talles Magno gave New York a 2-1 win at Subaru Park, before Ronny Deila’s men went on to beat Portland Timbers to lift their maiden MLS title.

Union close to record victory streak

The Union, who are once again the conference final’s home team because of their higher regular-season finish, beat NYCFC in both of the sides’ league-phase meetings this term - and are on a long winning run at Subaru Park. Jim Curtin’s side made it 10 home victories in a row when they beat Cincinnati FC 1-0 in the conference semi-finals 10 days ago. If they extend that streak to 11 on Sunday, the Union will equal the record for consecutive home wins in MLS.

It’s also worth noting that Philadelphia haven’t lost on home turf since their postseason defeat to NYCFC last December; that was 19 games ago.

While top seeds Philadelphia qualified automatically for the conference semi-finals, NYCFC’s fourth-placed finish in the East means they have had to come through two playoff rounds to make it this far. Now led by interim coach Nick Cushing, they beat Inter Miami 3-0 in the opening phase, before a 3-1 victory over CF Montréal in the conference semi-finals last Sunday.

The Union's Leon Flach (31) celebrates scoring the winner against Cincinnati FC.
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The Union's Leon Flach (31) celebrates scoring the winner against Cincinnati FC.Eric HartlineUSA TODAY Sports

Philadelphia Union vs New York City FC: team news

Philadelphia Union:

The Union are sweating on the fitness of captain Alejandro Badoya, who has managed just 16 minutes of action in the team’s last four games. After initially suffering a groin issue in the win over Orlando in mid-September, Badoya then damaged his hip. He has been listed as questionable for Sunday. “We’ll make an assessment but I think it’s pretty safe to say whether as a starter or off the bench he’ll play a role and a big one in this game,” Philadelphia head coach Curtin said on Thursday. “He’s our captain and our leader and we need him.”

Possible Union lineup:

Blake, Mbaizo, Glesnes, Elliott, Wagner, Bedoya, Martínez, Flach, Carranza, Gazdag, Uhre.

New York City FC:

There are question marks over the availability of a number of NYCFC players, with Tayvon Gray, Maxime Chanot, Alfredo Morales, Talles Magno and Moralez all listed as doubtful. Late decisions will be made on their fitness, Cushing told reporters on Friday. “It’s unfortunate for us in this game, but we have a terrific medical team here and until they tell me they’re out I’m still considering them,” he said.

Possible NYCFC lineup:

Johnson, Tinnerholm, Chanot, Martins, Callens, Acevedo, Moralez, Pereira, Rodríguez, O’Toole, Héber.

See also:

Philadelphia Union vs New York City: key match info

The 2022 MLS Cup Eastern Conference final between Philadelphia Union and NYCFC kicks off at Subaru Park, Chester, at 8pm ET. Elsewhere in the US, that’s 5pm ET and 7pm CT. TV viewers in the States will be able to watch the game on Fox Sports 1 and Fox Deportes. You also have the option of streaming the clash live online on fuboTV, which offers a free trial.