Union vs. New York City FC
4 p.m. on 6ABC
Another road game and red card meant another shorthanded loss for the Union (3-3-0) last week. But things could turn around quickly for the club, as the Union return to fortress Talen Energy Stadium on Saturday (4 p.m., 6ABC) to face the struggling but star-studded New York City FC (1-2-3).
Here's five things to know:
1. Back line swap
With Union center back Ken Tribbett hobbled with an ankle injury, rookie Josh Yaro jumped from duty with the USL's Bethlehem Steel FC to facing the Seattle Sounders on the road.
It was a tall task for a kid making his MLS debut.
"Josh stepped in and did a good job," Union manager Jim Curtin said (see story). "I talked to him about how it's hard it'll be to put another good performance together, and another, and another. It's a good first step but I'm not naive. It's just one good game from him. We need more."
The Union might need more from Yaro as soon as Saturday. Tribbett is working his way back from the injury, but will still be a game-time decision, leaving Richie Marquez, Fabinho and Keegan Rosenberry as the steady forces on the Union's backline.
"To be honest, he's further along than I thought he would be," Curtin said of Tribbett. "You can still see it's a little uncomfortable for him. We're optimistic but we're going to be smart in how we approach it. He's been a very important piece for us."
Yaro's success against the Sounders also helps Curtin's decision making. If there's even a small chance that Tribbett could re-aggravate his injury, the manager will tap Yaro to start, shuffling his back line for the second consecutive game.
"We'll have a tough choice to make," Curtin said. "It'll be one we make with the best interest of the team and Ken."
2. Alberg's suspension
In the second half of Saturday's match against the Sounders, midfielder and steady starter Roland Alberg was ejected by being served his second yellow and subsequent red card.
With Alberg now out for Saturday, it's Tranquillo Barnetta's time to shine in a full-time role.
"It's just naturally now the next-man-up mentality," Curtin said. "[Barnetta] can step right in there and that won't be an issue."
Slowed by a knee injury, Barnetta has yet to make a start this season - putting in sub duty and accumulating 24, 27 and 27 minutes. But if Alberg to Barnetta at center attacking midfield has been the natural progression for Curtin this season, who will step into first sub duty if Barnetta starts?
"Leo Fernandes is a guy who's in very good form in training each and every day and has contributed at the end of games for us," said the manager, who might also have a healthy Ilsinho available. "We have a couple of options. They're good ones."
And it's that type of depth that has Curtin excited.
"We believe in everybody on the roster," he said. "We're going to use everybody on the roster. We have a good team."
3. Struggling NYC
Although the second-year club has the likes of David Villa, Andrea Pirlo and Mix Diskerud, NYCFC is a bit of a mess. With big aspirations and bigger payroll, the club has just one win in its first six games.
"They've just had a lot of unfortunate injuries go against them," said Curtin, who won't face former Union center back, Ethan White, who is out for NYCFC with a hamstring strain. "I think they just haven't had consistency with the back line because of injuries, but they're still a very good team. New York is another conference rival and there's certainly no easy games in our league."
Patrick Vieira's club is also bleeding goals, allowing 10 in six games - tied for the fifth-worst goals-against in MLS. But the Union aren't biting on the concept that scoring will come easy Saturday.
"We can't say they've been letting in goals, so it'll fall for us," Union midfielder Warren Creavalle said. "We have to go after it and we have to go for it. It won't just happen for us."
4. Keep an eye on
Ilsinho: The Brazilian midfielder lit the Union world on fire over the first four games of the 2016 campaign, putting on a display of playmaking skill rarely seen in Union blue. Then he got injured, missing the club's last two matches. But good news for the hosts Saturday: Ilsinho is a game-time decision and could make an appearance.
"He trained fully today and he looked good," Curtin said Wednesday. "He wants the ball in tight spots, there's no missing touches or anything, he looked sharp. It's good to see."
Andrea Pirlo: He hasn't registered a goal or assist in eight consecutive starts for NYCFC, but no one on the Union is taking him lightly. If Pirlo is on the field, and more importantly on the ball, the Union will be paying attention.
"People will be critical because he doesn't run, but that's because he sees things early, he sees danger before it comes up," Curtin said. "His ability on the ball is as good as anyone in our league. He's a world-class player, a top player that we'll respect. He'll be a handful for our guys."
5. This and that
• Another week, another fantastic effort from Union goalkeeper Andre Blake, who is fifth in MLS in saves with 25 in six games. "Andre's been excellent," Curtin said. "In every game, he's had a special save. He's done that in our wins and he's done that in our losses to keep us in games."
• Good news for the Union this week: Maurice Edu, who has been out all season with a leg fracture, is becoming more active. "We're getting closer," Curtin said. "We're starting to have him around a lot more. The timeline is still the timeline, we still have a little ways to go, but we're happy."
• David Villa is a shot machine. He is currently third in MLS with 30 shots and 14 shots on goal in six games
• The Union are 1-1-1 against NYCFC all time.
