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Atlanta United Vs Philadelphia Union: 3 things to watch for – Injuries galore

By Josh Bouland

ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 19: Atlanta United defender Franco Escobar (2) celebrates his goal during the MLS playoff match between the New England Revolution and Atlanta United FC on October 19, 2019 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by John Adams/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 19: Atlanta United defender Franco Escobar (2) celebrates his goal during the MLS playoff match between the New England Revolution and Atlanta United FC on October 19, 2019 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by John Adams/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Philadelphia Union
CHESTER, PA – OCTOBER 20: Union Forward Sergio Santos (17) celebrates with Union Forward Fafa Picault (9) after a goal in the second half during the MLS Playoff game between the New York Red Bulls and Philadelphia Union on October 20, 2019 at Talen Energy Stadium in Chester, PA. (Photo by Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

2. Unpredictable outcome

With the new MLS playoff format comes a new unpredictability. Of the first six matches, two matches went to extra-time, five matches featured multiple goals, and two matches saw a combined seven goals by the end. Of the twelve teams, seven scored two or more goals in their respective matches and only one match featured a margin of victory greater than one goal.

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Because Thursday night’s match is another playoff contest there is already an air of unpredictability. Between these two teams, that unpredictable nature is magnified. Through three seasons, there have been six matches between Atlanta United and the Philadelphia Union, Atlanta winning three and Philadelphia just one. Of note is that Atlanta failed to win either of the matches in 2019.

There are a few factors as to why Atlanta failed to win. Their first match against Philadelphia came at home on St. Patrick’s Day in their third league game of the season. The Five Stripes were still gaining chemistry and searching for a new identity under Frank de Boer and were lucky to come away with a point thanks to an Ezequiel Barco equalizer.

The second match came in August with Philadelphia coming out on top in a 3-1 win up in Chester. Atlanta scored first in that match, but Philadelphia scored three unanswered goals in the second half and scored their final two goals in the final five minutes of the game. Atlanta looked exhausted and were in the final game of a brutal stretch of eight games in the month of August.

Because of the odd results over the course of 2019, and because of the possible injuries and squad rotation, it is difficult to predict what Thursday’s outcome will be.

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