- San Diego form: San Diego FC have won three and lost two of their last five matches.
- Philadelphia form: Philadelphia Union have won three and drawn two of their last five.
- Away record: Union have three wins, two draws and seven losses in their 12 away games in MLS 2026.
San Diego can edge out Union in goal-fest
San Diego FC and Philadelphia Union are battling at the bottom of MLS 2026 with the visitors a little worse off in 21st spot on 27 points from 23 games compared to the home side who are 15th on 30 points from 23.
But form since taking charge on May 27 has seen Ryan Richter's men tighten up a little in defense and look much better in attack.
Union have won their last two MLS games, beating CF Montreal 2-0 at home on Thursday after taking three points, a 0-3 away win and a 1-1 draw at Austin FC. They have won two of their last three road games and drawn one, so they look tough to beat on Monday in this clash of two of the worst clubs in North American soccer.
Two very different teams in San Diego
Style and tactics
Mikey Varas has built a possession-based team since taking the reigns at San Diego FC on September 18 2024 that want to control the ball, draw pressure on themselves and then burst through the middle with quick passing. Union play a high-intensity, vertically compact press and look to turn turnovers into fast attacks.
This should be a very interesting chess match with the contrast in approaches setting the stage for an open game.
Betting and outlook
Their 3-1 home win over LA Galaxy was followed by a 0-1 away defeat to Orlando City, so the swing in levels of play was very real.
- A San Diego edge seems likely at home with Union coming here with only three wins from 12 on the road, but Richter's side have looked better recently so the home win is never a given in this game.
- We'll chance Union taking a point from the game by backing the draw at 3.85, although our main selection is on the over 2.5 goals at 1.44 as we expect a similar outcome to San Diego's last two games.
- Both teams to score at 1.38 also gets strong support because the visitors have shipped 28 goals on the road in 12 games – an average of 2.33 per away game – while the hosts have scored 30 times in 12 at Snapdragon Stadium.
Visitors have more goal power
San Diego FC have a better goal scorer in Marcus Ingvartsen, who has 11 in 21 MLS 2026 appearances, but Union have a double-figure scorer with Milan Iloski leading the way with 11 in 23 games.
The presence of Cavan Sullivan, who has added a spark to Union's attack with three in his last five games, gives them an edge in this area with Richter's team having scored eight times in their recent run of three wins and two draws.
So we'll take the over and a 2-2 correct score in a game where Union's unbeaten run should keep it close and the hosts' home record suggests they are more likely to claim the win.
