The top-seeded Philadelphia Union host No. 5 New York City FC in Sunday's winner-take-all Eastern Conference semifinal, which has emerged as a match where both sides could be combating off-field distractions.

Philadelphia will take the field five days following a report from The Guardian, in which 17 sources made allegations of racist, sexist and homophobic behavior by club sporting director Ernst Tanner. The Union subsequently placed Tanner on administrative leave.

While the allegations don't directly implicate any players or coaches, Tanner is the person largely credited with constructing the squad that won the club's second MLS Supporters' Shield this season by posting the best regular season record.

After sweeping the Chicago Fire in their first-round series, the Union had three ful

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