While it enjoyed a positive result earlier this week, Real Salt Lake remains mired in one of its longest MLS losing streaks of the season and hasn't earned a point away from home in a more than two months.
A trip to Philadelphia might give the club an opportunity to end both droughts.
RSL will try to stay unbeaten against the Union while avoiding a season-high fourth consecutive league defeat and fifth in a row on the road Friday night.
Real Salt Lake (13-10-3) has produced a combined two goals during its losing streak, and it's added two losses this month to a road skid that began after a 3-0 win over Chivas USA on June 16.
The tide, though, might be turning for Philadelphia following a 2-0 victory over Panamanian club Tauro FC in CONCACAF Champions League play Tuesday.
"We looked like our old selves where we really pinned the other team and they couldn't get out," midfielder Kyle Beckerman said after scoring one of his club's goals. "We were creating chance after chance."
Salt Lake will try to close out the month with a victory over Philadelphia (7-12-3), which has gone 0-2-1 in its last three. The Union have scored a combined two goals during that stretch but earned a point their last time out following a pair of two-goal defeats.
Brian Carroll scored his first goal of the season in the eighth minute against D.C. on Sunday and Philadelphia settled for a 1-all draw. The match was marred by three ejections - one coming to Union defender Sheanon Williams in stoppage time - and six yellow cards.
"That's a good result for us," coach John Hackworth told the team's website. "Would I love three points? Absolutely. But the fact is we didn't play great in the second half and that was our fault.
"At the same time, we did what needed to do in a very hostile environment. This is a positive effort for us that we have a result in this kind of atmosphere. There are a lot of teachable moments from this game."
Williams' red card earned him an automatic one-game suspension, and his absence could hinder the Union's attempt to earn its first win in five all-time meetings with Salt Lake.
The teams have played to 1-all ties in their two games at PPL Park, with RSL's Fabian Espindola scoring twice. He provided the equalizer early in the second half during last season's visit June 11.
Beckerman and Chris Schuler scored in the first 26 minutes of a 2-1 home win over Philadelphia on Sept. 3.
