Only one reason matters in this one: Revenge.
The Union fought their way into the playoffs in 2018 and were undone by a resurgent New York City side led by a newly-healthy Yangel Herrera in midfield. The tight Yankee Stadium pitch strangled the Union’s spacious attack, and quickfire goals allowed the home side to play things safe.
It has been almost eight months since the Pigeons bounced Philly, and these are not the same sides that face off back then. Jim Curtin has the Union in first place, but Dome Torrent is hot on his heels thanks to a team that simply refuses to lose.