New York Red Bulls is the postseason enemy the Union have been waiting for: A rival that will push Philly to the limit and make them prove their bona fides as one of the best in the east. The Union and Red Bulls split the season series in a pair of messy matches that were turned by, first, Ilsinho and, later, a single goalkeeping error by Andre Blake.
Red Bulls have not been quite as extreme in their pressing and pushing forward this season, but Chris Armas’ side pitched shutouts in three of their final four matches as they showed that when midfield was theirs, they remain elite.