Philadelphia Union vs Colorado Rapids 
MLS Regular Season, Week 14
May 29, 2019 - 5:30 PM
Talen Energy Stadium - Chester, Pennsylvania

Rapids look to build on recent form

The Rapids will be looking for their third consecutive win after securing three points in back-to-back games against the LA Galaxy and Columbus Crew SC. Colorado is in the midst of a busy stretch on the schedule with three games in eight days.

Next up for Colorado is a mid-week test against the Philadelphia Union, one of the league's surprising teams so far in 2019. Jim Curtin's men will look to regain first place in the Eastern Conference having just given up the spot to D.C. United last weekend.

Since the Union's inaugural year in 2010, the two sides have met 11 times in the regular season, resulting in a 4-2-5 overall record. The Union have only beaten the Rapids once on their home soil, with their last win at Talen Energy Stadium in May 2017.

Head-to-head Series

Rosenberry, Casey return to old stomping grounds

There will be a sense of familiarity on Wednesday evening as the Colorado Rapids head to the 'City of Brotherly Love' as defender Keegan Rosenberry (2016-2018) and interim head coach Conor Casey (2013-2015), are both former Philadelphia Union players. 

Rosenberry, a native of Harrisburg, PA, spent time in the Union academy before being drafted by Philadelphia in 2016. He was traded to Colorado in December 2018. Before joining the Rapids, Rosenberry made 81 appearances for the Union across three seasons, scoring three goals and dishing out six assists. Wednesday's game will mark Rosenberry's first return to Talen Energy Stadium since the trade, but the 25-year-old is focusing more on his new team's form rather than his impending homecoming.

“For us, we’re focused on so many little things and getting back to winning ways,” Rosenberry said. “Fortunately for the past couple of games it’s happened, but any road game is going to be difficult. We know that, especially going to Philly [who’s] in good form and at the top of the Eastern Conference.”

Conor Casey joined Philadelphia in 2013 after spending six seasons with the Colorado Rapids. The former striker featured in 70 regular season games over three years with the Union, scoring 21 goals and serving eight assists. Wednesday marks Casey's first trip to Philadelphia as the interim head coach of the Colorado Rapids.

"I have good memories there. They have a great fan base. It'll be good to see Jim (Curtin). I have a lot of respect for him and what he's done with the club so it'll be a nice return, but at the same time it's about us and doing our job."

What to watch for...

Jordan Angeli, Radio Analyst

Mid-week games can be extremely challenging, especially at this point of the season where the players have been grinding for months already. Despite a loss last weekend at home to Portland, Philadelphia is a well rounded, possession-style team with a solid and consistent back four. The two up front, Fafà Picault and Kacper Przybyłko, will be a handful for Colorado’s defense, but the defensive presence of newcomer 
Lalas Abubakar
should help steady the backline.

I also anticipate that Kellyn Acosta, if he features, will be a big influence on the game tomorrow in the midfield. He's been an unsung hero the past few games, but I think any moment now we'll see Acosta work himself into more scoring positions.

Connor Cape, Radio Play-by-Play Announcer

For the second time in as many games, the Rapids found themselves celebrating all three points at the end of 90 minutes. Not only have we seen back-to-back victories, the games were opposites of each other. In LA, the match was cagey, low-scoring and only produced one goal between the two sides. Saturday night in Commerce City, the brakes were off and ended with five goals. 

To me, this means the Rapids are versatile and, yes, better than their record indicates. Being able to win a game no matter how it’s played is the mark of a good team. Wednesday night in Philadelphia could go any which way and that flexibility will be needed. The Union now sit in second place in the Eastern Conference standings and will be eager to get back to that first-place perch after dropping five of the last six points at home.