In the MLS Eastern Conference Semifinal #1 seed Philadelphia Union faces #5 seed New York City FC. There are three players who may be out with injury, as all three come back late November. 

Last season, the Philadelphia Union was the 12th seed, rising to the 1st seed in one season. Their top goal scorer is Tai Baribo, the 27 year old from Israel with 21 goals and assists combined. He joined Union in August of 2023, coming from Wolfsberger AC in Austria. Player, Kai Wagner, is the top for Philadelphia in assists with 10 assists. Philadelphia Union has been a runner-up for the MLS cup and runner-up for the US Open Cup three times, and they have not won any notable trophies since. 

The Philadelphia Union has also been going viral over the summer due to their young prospect Cavan Sullivan. Sullivan was in their academy in September of 2021 until he joined the senior team in May of 2024 at the age of 14-15. He will go to Europe when he is 18 with a transfer to Manchester City, which is the 2023 Champions League winner. This has been  stated when he first signed his contract at 15, which said, once he turns 18, he will  transfer to Manchester City confirmed by him and his parents. 

Last season, New York City FC was the sixth seed, only moving one place since last year. Their top goalscorer, Alonso Martinez, has 19 goals and has the most goals and assists. New York City FC have won the MLS  once in 2021 and the Campeones Cup  once in 2022. They have only won two out of five of their last games with two of them being wins against Charlotte FC. They had two losses against the Seattle Sounders FC and the Philadelphia Union, and lost against Charlotte FC in penalties.

The two teams have played a total of 26 games with both having the same amount of wins and  ties. This match is one of the three games in this series, meaning whoever wins this first game will have a good start to the rest of the series.