Last year, reasons to watch Philadelphia Union and DC United may have been fairly difficult to come by. DC was tied for the fewest points in MLS and the Union finished eight points out of the playoffs.
This is a different season, and there is no shortage of storylines brewing as these two Eastern Conference rivals prepare to face off with the playoffs looming.
Playoff positioning
A month ago, nobody was looking at the Union or United as playoff contenders. Now they are the two favorites to round out the postseason participants in the east. Philly has done it by dominating the ball, playing quickly through their experienced central midfield trio, and riding Cory Burke’s goalscoring exploits to a three-game win streak (four if you count the US Open Cup semifinal).