The final stretch of the Major League Soccer (MLS) regular season always packs that edge-of-your-seat drama. And this Wednesday, the Philadelphia Union couldn’t be in a more intense spot. They’re in a position where every point is practically worth the entire season. With just three points separating them from the playoffs, the Union is up against New York City FC (NYCFC), sitting comfortably in sixth place. This game has the potential to be an emotional roller coaster, and for the Union, it might just be the last ride toward their MLS Cup dream.

But how did the Union end up here? Well, they’ve been consistent playoff contenders for the last six years, but now things are tighter than a sailor’s knot. Three points might not sound like much, but at this stage of the game, it feels like a lifetime. To make matters worse, they’ve gotta face NYCFC, a team that tripped them up back in May with a 2-1 win on home turf. And if history’s any guide, the Union knows they can’t afford to let this one slip in the first 45 minutes again.

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Back in May, Alonso Martinez and Hannes Wolf took care of business quickly, burying Philly in the first half. Sure, Julian Carranza tried to pull one back, but it was too little, too late. But today’s a different story. That team that gave up two early goals and looked lost? They’re gone. The Union’s been through a mini-revolution. Carranza? He’s out. Tai Baribo has stepped up with 14 goals since then. That’s the kind of guy you want leading the charge when your playoff hopes are hanging by a thread.

And there’s more. Sam Adeniran’s brought a fresh spark to the attack. But like any team fighting for a spot in the spotlight, the Union’s had its highs and lows. Beating Miami would’ve been a huge morale boost, but come on, when you’re up against Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez, a 3-1 scoreline isn’t exactly shocking, right? Even with Mikael Uhre scoring early, those two legends worked their magic and left Philly gasping for air by the end.

Then there’s Andre Blake, one of the top goalkeepers in MLS, who’s just returned from injury. But is he ready to play? The guy’s a brick wall in goal, but another injury sidelined him against Miami, and it’s still unclear if he’ll be in the lineup against NYCFC. If not, it’ll be 18-year-old Andrew Rick stepping in. The Union’s future could rest in the hands of a kid still finding his feet in the league. Scary? You bet.

Heading to New York? Not exactly a walk in the park. The Union’s coming off a stinging loss, while NYCFC? They’ve got nothing to lose. They’re practically guaranteed a playoff spot and are playing at home. That means Philly’s gonna have to pull out all the stops to grab those three points. In my opinion, it’s all gonna come down to how the Union shows up mentally. They can’t afford to start slow or assume NYCFC’s gonna take it easy. The reality is, at this point in the season, every team’s a hungry beast.

NYCFC might be in a comfortable spot, but that doesn’t mean they’ll take it easy. But for the Union, all the pressure’s on them. And that could either be an advantage or their undoing. If Philly can strike early and throw NYCFC off their rhythm, they might just pull off a positive result. Easier said than done, though. Especially with a team that’s still tweaking things in attack and may have to rely on an inexperienced goalie.

This game’s gonna test the Union’s spirit. How they respond will say a lot about what we can expect from them moving forward. A team that steps onto the field knowing they’ve gotta win has two choices: either crumble under the weight of the responsibility or use it as fuel. What we’ll see this Wednesday is exactly that. It’s not just about three points. It’s about proving that the Union is still the powerhouse they’ve been for the last six years, capable of turning pressure into performance.

If I were a betting man, I’d say the Union’s gonna fight till the bitter end. They’ve got the talent, even with the setbacks, and they know this is their last shot to save the season. Baribo’s gonna be key, and I expect to see him doing what he does best—finding space and being deadly. Sam Adeniran’s another player to keep an eye on, but the real X-factor here is the defense. If they can keep NYCFC off the scoreboard in the first half, they’ve got a shot. If not, history might just repeat itself, and the Union could see their playoff dreams slip away once again.