It’s a battle of first versus worst when the Philadelphia Union host CF Montreal on Wednesday in Chester, Pa.

The Union (13-5-4, 43 points) head into the midweek matchup with the best record in MLS, moving atop the standings with a 2-0 win against the New York Red Bulls on Saturday. The victory snapped a two-game losing streak, both losses coming on the road.

“Really happy with the result,” Philadelphia coach Bradley Carnell said after the match. “I think it was a good bounce-back from the last couple of games, where we didn’t quite show our true selves.

“We wanted to be a little more expressive, a little more of who we are and what we are. I think you saw that in abundance (Saturday). I’m really proud of the boys for their application and the way they went about their business.”

Philadelphia has the second-best home record in the Eastern Conference at 7-1-3, with its 24 points earned as the hosts trailing only the Columbus Crew. Its lone loss on its own pitch came March 16 against Nashville — the Union’s second home match of the season.

Homegrown midfielder Quinn Sullivan earned his team-leading eighth assist of the season on Bruno Damiani’s insurance goal in the win against the Red Bulls. Just past the midpoint of the season, the 21-year-old is only three assists shy of matching his career high of 11 set last season.

“He does so much work for us off the ball, for him to get rewarded, I think it’s just deserved,” Carnell said.

The Union have been the stingiest team in MLS, conceding a league-low 21 goals.

That will be a tough challenge for a Montreal squad that has struggled to score all season long. The Canadian side (3-13-6, 15 points) has managed just 19 goals through 22 matches, with nine of those coming from Prince Owusu.

The German striker helped Montreal earn a 1-1 draw in its last outing, converting a penalty in the 83rd minute against Orlando City on Saturday. He’s been on a roll over the past month, scoring five goals in his past five regular-season matches.

“We’re creating more scoring chances lately, and I’m benefiting from that,” Owusu said. “I know my role, and I’m very confident.”

Though tied for last place in the overall standings, Montreal is 2-2-1 in its past five matches and will be looking to earn points in consecutive matches for only the second time this season. They last did so in mid-May, following up their first win of the season with a draw.

Two of Montreal’s three wins on the season have come on the road (2-7-3).

–Field Level Media

Two winless droughts are on the line when the New England Revolution visit the New York Red Bulls on Wednesday in Harrison, N.J.

New York hasn’t won in its last five (0-2-3) outings, but managed a draw in its lone home date in that five-match span. The Red Bulls (8-8-6, 30 points) are 7-1-2 at home this season.

By contrast, the Revolution are 4-3-5 in 12 road matches, with results in eight (4-1-4) of their last nine away dates. Overall, however, New England is 0-4-2 in its last six matches.

The usually sturdy Revs defense had conceded 10 goals in its previous four matches before Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Austin FC. It was the eighth shutout of the season for both New England and goalkeeper Aljaz Ivacic.

“The last couple of games [before Saturday] I have very high standards for myself,” Ivacic said. “So I feel like I didn’t make saves, or I didn’t help the team the way I know I can.”

Revs midfielder Ilay Feingold and defender Peyton Miller are questionable for Wednesday due to ankle injuries. Defender Mamadou Fofana is unavailable due to a suspension for yellow card accumulation.

With a loss to the Revolution and other unfavorable results from around the league, New York could end Wednesday under the Eastern Conference playoff line. Despite the recent struggles, Red Bulls coach Sandro Schwarz said his team believes a turnaround is coming.

“It’s normal that you’re frustrated, but it’s not necessary now to talk about the confidence or something like that,” Schwarz said. “It’s more to identify what we have to improve … not with the highest emotions, but [to be] very serious, very clear what we need from each position.”

Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (11 goals, two assists) and Emil Forsberg (seven goals, five assists) have carried the Red Bulls’ attack, though more contributions are needed from the entire roster. New York’s other players have combined for 15 goals and 13 assists this season.

In the two clubs’ first meeting of the season, the Revolution recorded a 2-1 win over the Red Bulls in Foxborough on March 20.

–Field Level Media

After letting a two-goal lead slip away against the Columbus Crew in a 4-2 loss, FC Cincinnati aim to bounce back at home against Inter Miami on Wednesday night.

Cincinnati (13-6-3, 42 points) dropped to second place in the Eastern Conference with its loss Saturday night, but it is only one point back of first-place Philadelphia.

There’s also good news for FC Cincinnati in that defender Nick Hagglund is back after missing the previous month and a half with broken ribs.

“He’s back,” FC Cincinnati coach Pat Noonan said. “He’s been around enough, even with his absence with the injury on the field, but he’s been present and his energy, his leadership, has been felt the entire period of time that he’s not able to be on the field with his teammates.”

A bright spot for Cincinnati on Saturday was All-Star midfielder Evander scoring his 13th goal of the MLS regular season. He’s tied for third in the league in goals scored.

One of the two players with more, however, is Miami and international superstar Lionel Messi, who has 16 goals in regular-season competition.

Inter Miami (11-3-5, 38 points) have flourished since Messi joined them in the 2023 season, winning the Supporters’ Shield in 2024; they currently sit in fifth place in the Eastern Conference.

Messi scored both Miami goals in a 2-1 home win against Nashville SC on Saturday night, the Herons’ fifth straight win in regular-season play. They haven’t lost a league game since May 18.

“There aren’t very many words. It’s incredible what he continues to do,” Miami coach Javier Mascherano said. “To break great records now every three days, I’ve said it a thousand times today; he is the flag for our team. He is the one. He’s the leader. He shows us the way to compete.”

Wednesday will be the first of two matches in 11 days between Cincinnati and Miami, with the second one set for July 26 in South Florida.

–Field Level Media

Playing in front of their home fans for the first time in nearly two months, Atlanta United will look to snap a five-game winless stretch against the Chicago Fire on Wednesday night.

Atlanta (4-10-7, 19 points) last played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on May 28, which also coincides with its last victory — a 3-2 win over Orlando City. The team had to hit the road while the FIFA Club World Cup staged several matches in the stadium.

Despite a disappointing season in Atlanta, the team has picked up points in consecutive outings, last working a 1-1 draw at Toronto FC on Saturday.

Among the Atlanta players who hope to end the team’s funk is striker Emmanuel Latte Lath, the first-year MLS player who leads the club with six goals on the season. After going scoreless since March 29, Latte Lath’s penalty goal in extra time propelled Atlanta to the tie against Toronto.

The 26-year-old hopes a return home will prolong his strong play.

“It’s normal, when you don’t score for a long time as a striker, you become frustrated,” Latte Lath said. “It’s normal, but I just try to keep my head focused and wait for the right moment. … It’s hard because, when things are going like this, you go home to your family and you need to switch off. It’s not easy. But the only thing I know is to look at the positive things.”

Chicago (8-9-4, 28 points), which beat Atlanta 2-1 on May 10, enters play having lost four of its last five games. The Fire have dropped back-to-back 2-1 losses in MLS play, including a setback at home against San Diego FC on Saturday.

“We’re in there, we have great effort, we’re creating a ton of chances, but we’re also hurting ourselves,” Chicago head coach Gregg Berhalter said. “I hope that message resonates with the group. I think we just need to keep going. We need to focus on continuing to give that type of effort and stay positive.”

Chicago is paced by Hugo Cuypers’ 12 goals on the year, followed by Philip Zinckernagel’s nine. Both Chicago and Atlanta have surrendered 38 goals — third-most in the Eastern Conference — but the Fire have netted 40 on the season to Atlanta’s 23.

–Field Level Media

St. Louis City SC acquired defender Fallou Fall from Norwegian top-flight side Fredrikstad FK on Tuesday.

The 21-year-old Senegalese center-back is signed through 2028 with an option for 2029.

He will occupy an U22 Initiative roster slot and be eligible to join St. Louis when the secondary transfer window opens on July 24.

“Fallou is a young, line-breaking defender who brings the size, athleticism and defensive instincts we value in our back line,” St. Louis sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel said. “At just 21 years old, he’s still developing, but we believe his physical tools, technical ability and mentality give him the foundation to grow into an important piece for our squad.

“He’s someone who can help us this season and, even more importantly, be part of our long-term vision. Bringing in a player like Fallou reflects our approach to adding young talent and building a competitive team for both the now and the future.”

Fall scored five goals in 42 first-team appearances across his stops at Graficar (Serbia), Reims (France) and Fredrikstad.

–Field Level Media