Revolution vs. Union: 5 Storylines to Follow

Tonight, the Revolution host the Philadelphia Union for a matchup between two Eastern Conference playoff hopefuls.

Losers of two straight, the Revs (6-9-8, 26 pts.) occupy the sixth and final playoff spot, thanks to a tiebreaker with Orlando City SC. Jay Heaps’ club has been plagued by defensive inconsistencies and holds the league’s worst goal differential at minus-11.

The Union (8-8-7, 31 pts.) appear to be on the rise after acquiring U.S. International Alejandro Bedoya and former Revolution forward Charlie Davies. A young defense has leaked soft goals of late, though the club has a strong enough core to compete with the top clubs in the Eastern Conference.

Here are five storylines to follow ahead of tonight’s match:

1. Charlie Davies returns to Foxboro in navy and gold

After three-and-a-half seasons and 14 goals with the Revolution, Davies will suit up in the visitors’ locker room this evening. Davies debuted for the Union during last weekend’s 2-2 draw with D.C. United—his other former MLS club—playing 10 minutes in an abbreviated showing. He’ll likely see the field tonight. And he’ll likely receive a raucous ovation from the Revolution faithful.

2. Alejandro Bedoya makes his Union debut

Bedoya, the flashier of the Union’s two August acquisitions, is expected to make his MLS debut this evening. When he does, he will become the most capped U.S. Men’s National Team player to don a Union kit (53).

3. Kei Kamara prepares for 200th career MLS start

Since entering MLS in 2006, Kamara has made starts for Columbus (53), San Jose (11), Houston (26), Kansas City (97) and New England (12). If he features in the Revolution XI tonight, he will make his 200th career MLS start. In his four previous matches vs. Philadelphia—all while playing for Crew SC—Kamara found the net four times.

4. Union strive to overcome road woes

Despite recording an 8-8-7 overall record this season, the Union have struggled to find any kind of rhythm on the road, winning just once in 11 attempts (1-6-4). The club’s most recent road loss occurred in late July, when the Montreal Impact cruised to a 5-1 win at Saputo Stadium. The Union last won at Gillette Stadium on June 28, 2014.

5. Diego Fagundez looks to stay hot vs. east-coast rival

The Uruguayan-born forward holds Revolution club records for all-time goals (four) and all-time assists (four) against the Union. He scored his last goal vs. Philadelphia on Aug. 29, 2015, a goal that held up as the game-winner. He simultaneously became the youngest player in MLS history to score 25 goals.