PHILADELPHIA UNION vs COLORADO RAPIDS
PPL PARK
Today at 4 p.m. ET (WPVI-6abc)

A pair of clubs hoping 2015 will mean a return to the postseason hunt meet to open the new campaign when Union hosts the Colorado Rapids this afternoon at PPL Park. Jim Curtin will take charge of the Union from the start of the season for the first time, trying to lead the club to a second-ever playoff berth. The Rapids are guided by Pablo Mastroeni for the second season, missing out on the postseason a year ago in the longtime club icon’s initial term in command.

HEAD-TO-HEAD
ALL-TIME (7 meetings): Union 1 win, 10 goals … Rapids 3 wins, 14 goals … Ties 3
AT PHILLY (4 meetings): Union 0 wins, 6 goals … Rapids 2 wins, 8 goals … Ties 2

LAST YEAR (MLS):
7/12: PHI 3, COL 3 (Casey 16; Williams 31; Wenger 74 – Serna 18; Powers 79; Brown 86)

• This is the only league meeting between the teams this season.
• The teams met just once a year ago, a wild 3-3 draw on July 12 at PPL Park. Union have still never defeated Colorado on their home ground, with two draws and two losses all-time in Chester.
• The home team has won just once in seven meetings all-time in the series – a 4-1 Rapids victory Aug. 29, 2010 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. The road team has won three times.
• Coaches record: Jim Curtin vs. COL: P1 W0 L0 D1… Pablo Mastroeni vs. PHI: P1 W0 L0 D1

The Union will be aiming to make a return to the MLS Cup playoffs for a second time in club history, their postseason drought hitting three years after the 2014 season following their only MLS playoff finish. Union finished in sixth place in the Eastern Conference a year ago with 42 points; Jim Curtin returns as head coach for his first full season in charge after taking over for John Hackworth midway through last year’s term.