With an unbeaten streak behind them, here’s a look at the Union’s climb to make the MLS playoffs
The playoff scenarios are the same as the last game: win, and you’re in. Draw, and securing a spot gets a bit trickier. Still, a trio of tough games remain to secure anything.
The streak had to end sometime.
After a remarkable 15-game unbeaten streak, complete with 12 wins nestled within a three-month stretch, the Union now look to get back to winning ways following Saturday’s 2-1 loss to New England. What it also did was leave the Union on the outside looking in at clinching a spot in Major League Soccer’s upcoming Eastern Conference playoffs.
So now, getting in got pushed a few days down the road and against the stiffest of competition, with a road trip to Tennessee to take on Nashville SC on Wednesday (8:30 p.m., Apple TV).
The playoff scenarios are the same as the last game: win, and you’re in. Draw, and securing a spot needs to happen by way of the following, according to the latest MLS playoff scenarios released on Tuesday.
Union DRAW at Nashville SC, and
Red Bull New York DRAW at New England Revolution OR
Red Bull New York LOSS at New England Revolution OR
Columbus Crew LOSS/DRAW at FC Dallas
A true test of just how formidable this Union team can be is set to arrive on two fronts. The first is the news that for the second straight game, midfielder Cavan Sullivan could miss the match due to injury.
Additionally, it is said the club will definitely see leading goal scorer Milan Iloski miss time due to a hamstring injury, and fellow forward Bruno Damiani is out due to receiving his second yellow card in the loss to the Revolution.
» READ MORE: Union’s Milan Iloski is out two games with an injury, and Cavan Sullivan is questionable vs. Nashville
Just three matches remain for the Union before the start of the MLS playoffs. With that said, here’s a look at the remaining games and just how well the Union stacks up.
Union at Nashville SC
Wednesday, 8:30 p.m., Apple TV
It’s a David-meets-Goliath situation, despite the Union surging through MLS competition until Saturday’s loss. But this one might be a tough climb considering that Nashville (21-3-7, 70 points) is undefeated at home this season (14-0-1) have already clinched the Supporters’ Shield with three matches still to play, and have locked up home-field advantage in the playoffs. The last time they lost was a 2-1 defeat at Toronto FC on Sept. 9, and they have won five of their last seven games since, most recently a 2-0 defeat of Montreal.
» READ MORE: The Union’s first loss in three months should be a cause for realism, not panic
They still have one of the best finishers in MLS in striker Sam Surridge (18 goals), however, they are a beatable team. Looking at the bulk of their last few games, they’ve beaten teams near the bottom of the MLS Eastern (see Montreal) and Western (see Sporting Kansas City) Conference. However, even if Sullivan returns, the Union will need to rely on strikers Ezekiel Alladoh and Augustin Anello up top, a duo that has only started a combined nine games this season.
Union at FC Cincinnati
Saturday, 2 p.m., Apple TV
Cincinnati might look formidable, but the Union knows them all too well. The last time out was one of the two times this season the Union scored five goals in a match, a 5-0 defeat at Subaru Park on Sept. 9. If power rankings mean anything, the league views Cincy as the No. 17 best team in MLS despite coming off back-to-back wins against D.C. United.
Cincy could be coming into the match looking for a win of its own as they’ll face No. 3 Inter Miami on Wednesday, a team that has already secured a playoff spot. Like the Union scratching and clawing for a spot in MLS’ playoff picture, which if the season ended today they’d be the No. 8 seed.
This is a match, even on the road, that if the Union can get a few players back healthy and replicate what they displayed in that Sept. 9 rout, bodes very well as the match that could secure their trip to the MLS playoffs.
Toronto FC at Union
Nov. 7, 4 p.m., Apple TV
This game poses as a weird one depending on how the next two games shake out. The Union hope they won’t need it to secure a playoff spot, but it’s a home game on MLS Decision Day that could be for all the marbles for Toronto (8-11-12, 36 points), which sits just three points outside the final playoff spot.
In their only meeting against Toronto this season at BMO Field, the Union suffered a demoralizing 3-3 last-second draw back in April, but that was under a different manager and a much different starting 11. The positive news? Toronto can’t leapfrog the Union in the standings, even if it were to win out these last three games, making it ideal if this regular-season finale stayed a formality.
» READ MORE: Follow the Inquirer's complete coverage of Union soccer right here!
