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  • The Union’s Path to MLS Cup – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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    The Philadelphia Union accomplished its first goal, winning the Supporters’ Shield. Now, the club’s path to its first-ever MLS Cup is established. Fortunately, the path has fallen in the Union’s favor.

    The Cup Runs Through Philadelphia

    One of the biggest perks of winning the Supporters Shield is that as long as the Union is alive, they will be playing at home in Subaru Park. With the wildcard round in the book, we know the Union will start their run against the Chicago Fire.

    The Union dominated the fire in the regular season. With a 4-0 win at home and a 1-0 win on the road. Should the Union see out 2 wins in the best of 3 series, they will be off to the Eastern Semifinals, where they would face the winner of Charlotte and NYCFC.

    Charlotte has been hot and defeated the Union in the regular finale in Charlotte. On the other hand, everyone knows of the playoff rivalry the Union and NYCFC have built. However, the bracket fell in the Union’s favor.

    Columbus, Nashville, Charlotte, and Miami all have to face off to get to the Conference Finals. The Union will avoid them until the Conference Finals. Those 4 teams house ridiculous firepower and can get hot and beat any team at any time. 

    Of course, all eyes are on Inter Miami. Lionel Messi is looking to get his hands on his first MLS Cup. It is very possible will have to go through the GOAT to reach their dreams.

    A Chance to Right the Past

    The Union is searching for what would be their second-ever appearance in the MLS Cup final. Unfortunately, we all know how the first in 2022 ended. Now, the league has gotten stronger and more competitive. The biggest difference is that the Union does not have to leave home.

    Not many expected the Union to make the playoffs. Now, they are coming in with a Supporters Shield-sized chip on their shoulder. Who’s to say Bradley Carnell’s revamped Union can’t make the full run to glory?

     

    Featured Image: Wes Shepherd/PHLSportsNation

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  • Philadelphia Union Delt Massive Blow – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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    The Philadelphia Union has a hand on the Supporters’ Shield after results fell in their favor over the weekend. Unfortunately, the news isn’t all good, as the club stands to lose a key piece of their 2025 success.

    Quinn Sullivan is Done for the Season

    During Saturday’s 6-0 rout of DC, the Union lost standout homegrown Quinn Sullivan to a torn ACL. Sullivan appeared in 28 MLS games this year, starting 24 of them. The young midfielder was integral to the Union’s attacking success in 2025. Not only was he able to stretch the field with his pace, but he also created scoring opportunities for all his teammates. Sullivan had 9 assists for the Union in MLS, second most on the team.

    With only 2 games left in the MLS season, the Union does not have time to experiment with how life will look without Sullivan. Not only do they need to fill his playmaking abilities, but also his work ethic on the pitch. Sullivan would break a team down with his pace and energy for the full 90 minutes. This would open the Union’s attack for the second half of the game.

    It is never a good time to receive news like this. It comes at an even worse time with the Union in the midst of the tightest Supporters Shield race in years.

    The Union has one Hand on the Shield

    Just a few days ago, the Supporters Shield seemed to have slipped from the Union’s grasp. However, every team chasing the Union dropped points over the weekend. Simultaneously, the Union helped themselves to yet another destruction of DC United in the nation’s capital.

    The Union now has complete control of its destiny. Win the final two games, and the shield is theirs. If the Union gets just one win, Cincinnati, San Diego, and Vancouver (thanks to the Union holding the total wins tiebreaker) would be eliminated from contention. Meaning, Miami is the last team that can give Philly a true run for their money.

    Miami has 4 games in 19 days to close out the regular season. The Union needs Miami to lose 1 of them to take some of the pressure off. Even then, the Union likely will only need 4 points from the final 2 games to see the Shield out.

    However, the Union’s final two games won’t be easy. First, they get rivals NYCFC in their final home match. NYCFC has quietly crept up to 3rd in the Eastern Conference. Finally, the Union finish the season in Charlotte. In a stadium that has given them nightmares since Charlotte entered MLS. It was the away game in Charlotte in 2022 that cost the Union the Supporters’ Shield. It appears that the Union will have the opportunity to purge those demons in 2025.

     

    Featured Image: Wes Shepherd/PHLSportsNation

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  • Union Can’t Make it Easy – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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    The Philadelphia Union have hit a patch of uncertainty at the worst time. Last Saturday, the Union suffered the worst defeat in club history. A 7-0 defeat to the Vancouver Whitecaps. A team vying to jump the Union for the Supporters Shield. Then, Philly crashed out of the US Open Cup embarrassingly. The Union allowed the MLS Golden Boot winner to net 3 easy goals en route to a 3-1 scoreline.

    Just when all hope felt lost, the Union bounced back with a 1-0 home win against their northeastern rival, New England. With three MLS games to go, it is clear that the Union will not simply and easily secure the Supporters’ Shield for themselves.

    Extremely Tight Shield Race

    MLS fans are being treated to one of the closest Supporters’ Shield races in league history. Five clubs have a realistic shot at bringing home the Shield. The Union, despite its stumble, still leads the way. Unfortunately, two teams control their destiny before Philadelphia does.

    Vancouver has 2 games in hand, and should they turn that into 6 points, they can jump the Union. Simultaneously, Inter Miami has 3 games in hand and can still jump everybody as well. Philly is even on games played with Cincy and San Diego, and sits 2 and 3 points in front of the clubs.

    Ultimately, the Union is going to have to win the last 3 games to truly put pressure on their opponents. First up is a game in DC. After that, the Union gets NYCFC at home for their home finale. Finally, the Union faces its toughest test left. On the road against a surging Charlotte FC.

    For those Union fans who have forgotten, Charlotte cost the Union the Supporters’ Shield in 2022. Ultimately, the Union had to go down to the turf in Charlotte late in the season and suffered an awful defeat. Unfortunately, the loss would cost the Union, as LAFC was able to tie the points and hold the tiebreaker.

    Perhaps the Union can purge the demons from 2022 with a huge win down south.

    Nothing Will Come Easy

    Just a few weeks ago, the Union were cruising in MLS and the Open Cup. Dreams of bringing home 3 major trophies in a year were in the minds of Union fans. Of course, the Union cannot make anything easy. Historically, the Union has fallen short every single time. Take a look back at the 3 lost US Open Cup finals, the loss in the 2020 playoffs after winning their first shield, and, of course, the collapse with 90 seconds to play in the MLS Cup.

    The Philadelphia Union has put its fans through some tough times in its short history. Nothing will ever come easy for the Union. However, all the suffering could be worth it if the club can deliver some hardware for its fans in 2025.

    While the Union has stumbled, there is still time to correct course and put the pressure back onto their opponents. This last month of the season will show if this Union team is different from years past, or if fans will be leaving with the same disappointment they have had for many years now.

    Whether the Union pulls it off or not, it is never going to be easy.

     

    Featured Image: Wes Shepherd/PHLSportsNation

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  • Is Something Magical Brewing for the Union? – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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    The Philadelphia Union came into 2025 a mess. The club was selling fan favorites, not listening to fans’ needs, and trying to find its identity in the post-Jim Curtin era. Surprisingly, they found that identity quickly.

    Now, the Union are 5 games away from glory.

    Leading the Shield Race

    The Union has a slight grasp of the 2025 MLS Supporters Shield. The reward is given to the team with the most points in MLS at the end of the season. Last week, the club achieved perhaps its greatest victory in 2025, a 1-0 win in Cincinnati. 

    The win gives the Union a firm hold of the top spot in the Eastern Conference. The Union holds a 5-point advantage over second-place Cincinnati. Realistically, the Union should have their eyes on Inter Miami and Lionel Messi. Miami has 4 games in hand on the Union. If they turn those 4 games into 12 points, Miami can snatch the shield away.

    However, Miami has been in the headlines for the wrong reasons. In their loss to Seattle in the Leagues Cup final, a post-match altercation will leave Miami without Luis Suarez for 3 MLS games. Simultaneously, Miami’s busy summer schedule has them shoving 9 games in their final 6 weeks of play. There is a high chance that an older Miami team just runs out of gas.

    This does not mean the Union is in the clear for the Shield. Their biggest contenders are going to be expansion side San Diego, in the Western Conference. San Diego is just 1 point behind the Union. Both San Diego and the Union likely face their biggest remaining challenge this weekend. San Diego hosts Minnesota, who are 2nd in the West. While the Union travels up north to face Vancouver, who are 3rd in the west.

    All Trophies Still in Play

    The Supporters Shield is not the only trophy the Union is fighting for. Philly is still in the US Open Cup tournament, and any team can make a run through the MLS Cup playoffs. The Union travels to Nashville in the Open Cup semifinals next Tuesday. 

    As far as the MLS Cup goes, should the Union at least hold on to the top spot in the East, the Eastern Conference playoffs would come through Philadelphia. In 2022, Union fans learned how valuable home-field advantage is in the playoffs.

    Who would have thought that an American treble would be on the table for the Union in 2025? The Supporters Shield, US Open Cup, and MLS Cup are calling the Union’s name. Can the Union shock the world and dominate American club soccer in 2025? Or is more heartbreak in store for the Union faithful?

    Nonetheless, the 2025 campaign has been a pleasant surprise for Union fans. Let’s hope the club leaves with some trophies to show for it.

     

    Featured Image: Wes Shepherd/PHLSportsNation

    The post Is Something Magical Brewing for the Union? appeared first on Philadelphia Sports Nation.

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  • Apple’s MLS Season Pass drops to as low as $25 for the rest of 2025

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    The end of any sports season is usually the most exciting part, and MLS fans can watch the climax of the 2025 campaign for a discount. As it has done each year around this time since it to the top North American soccer league, Apple is offering the MLS Season Pass at a discount for the remainder of the season. Apple TV+ subscribers can get access for $25, while everyone else can snag the season pass for $29.

    This is just the latest MLS Season Pass price cut of 2025, as . However, it’s not quite as great a deal as latecomers got on the pass last year. Apple’s end-of-season discount for 2024 saw the season pass in early September.

    We’re now well over halfway through the 2025 season. Teams have between five and nine games of the regular season left to play. Inter Miami have the most games remaining due to the team’s participation in the Club World Cup, so Lionel Messi fans might get to see quite a bit more of him — especially if his squad makes the MLS Cup playoffs. You’ll also have the chance to check out a few new high-profile imports to MLS, including Son Heung-min at Los Angeles FC and Thomas Müller at Vancouver Whitecaps. The season will end with the MLS Cup final, which will take place on December 6.

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  • Union Falter as the Shield is Slipping Out of Their Hands – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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    The Philadelphia Union were in control of their destiny. However, after a disappointing loss against the New York Red Bulls, the Union’s grasp on the Supporters’ Shield is slipping.

    What Went Wrong in New York

    Entering the match Saturday, the Union had just defeated the Red Bulls 3-2 in the US Open Cup on Wednesday. Despite that, the Union could not get anything going against their rival. Both teams featured different starting 11s from their meeting earlier in the week. Unfortunately, it seems it was another week where Bradley Carnell chose squad rotation over chasing trophies.

    The Union did not put their best team on the field, and it cost them. To make matters worse, the Union lost Andre Blake to a hamstring injury mid-game as well.

    The bigger issue is that if Tai Baribo isn’t scoring goals, the offense has been a snoozefest. New addition Milan Iloski is still getting his feet wet with the Union. But if Chris Donovan is the best guy you have off the bench when you need a goal, then your team will not sniff a trophy.

    The Union has dropped points on multiple weeks now since Bradley Carnell has chosen squad rotation. With just 7 matches left in the MLS season, the Union cannot afford any more slip-ups if they want to grab their second Supporters’ Shield in club history.

    Where the Standings Sit Now

    Unfortunately, the Union now sits 3rd in the Supporters Shield race. They sit 1 point behind Cincinnati and San Diego for the top spot. The Union’s Shield hopes ultimately lie in the next 3 MLS games. They face Chicago at home in a must-win game. Then, they got on the road back-to-back against Cincinnati and Vancouver.

    If the Union can manage at the very least 7 points from that stretch, then they may have a chance at the Shield. However, a loss to Cincinnati would all but close the door on the Union’s hopes.

    However, as always, a GOAT is lurking in the shadows. Lionel Messi and Inter Miami still have their 3 games in hand. If Miami wins out, they run away with the shield, and there is nothing anyone can do about it. Taking a look at Miami’s schedule, while it is very crowded, it is far from the hardest we have ever seen.

    What Can the Union Do?

    The Union can still run the “American Treble”. Meaning they grab the Supporters Shield, MLS Cup, and US Open Cup, in one season. However, that reality gets bleaker by the day. Besides, the fact that we are nearing September and the Union is vying for all the trophies is a shock considering the state of the team heading into the season.

    The ball ultimately falls in Bradley Carnell’s lap. This is not Carnell’s first rodeo with an overperforming team. We all saw him take St Louis to the top of the Western Conference in their first-ever MLS season just a few years ago. Now, he finds himself in a similar situation.

    While grabbing all 3 trophies is unlikely, the most interesting aspect is which ones the Union chase the most. If the last few weeks tell us anything, the Supporters Shield is likely at the bottom of the list. Next, being the US Open Cup and the MLS Cup is the number one goal.

    When it comes to a team that has a fairly bare trophy case, beggars can’t be choosers. Any trophy that comes out of what was supposed to be a rebuild year will be a welcome sight and achievement. It is up to Bradley Carnell to ensure they stay on track and not leave 2025 empty-handed.

     

    Featured Image: Wes Shepherd/PHLSportsNation

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  • MLS Playoffs: Atlanta wins 2-1 over Inter Miami and forces a game three

    MLS Playoffs: Atlanta wins 2-1 over Inter Miami and forces a game three

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    “That’s our story this year, we make things interesting,” said Atlanta United interim manager Rob Valentino during his postgame press conference. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

    Atlanta United had one opportunity to extend the 2024 season. One opportunity in front of the home fans to keep the dream alive. A 2-1 loss in Miami last week made Saturday’s match even more important than a playoff match already was.

    With a minute remaining of the five minutes of stoppage time given at the end of the match, Xande Silva, a late-match substitution in this match, saved the day with his strike to the bottom right of the Inter Miami net. His goal gave Atlanta a 2-1 lead and new life.

    Atlanta defender Derrick Williams headed in the tying goal early in the second half, his first as a member of the squad, in the 58th minute of the most important match of the season. Pedrio Almador’s pass found Williams and the majority of the crowd of 68,455, the fifth-highest attendance for a Major League Soccer playoff match, went wild. Whenever big clubs come to town there are always thousands of opponent jerseys in the stands, and Inter Miami has more than most whenever they play in Atlanta.

    Inter Miami took a 1-0 lead in the 40th minute courtesy of a David Martinez goal that shouldn’t have even seen the light of day. An error by Atlanta goalkeeper Brad Guzan led to an opportunity for Martinez, a defender, to get a clear look at the goal from a few feet away.

    Prior to Miami’s goal, there were several opportunities for Atlanta to take a much-needed early lead. Atlanta United dominated possession for several minutes resulting in three corner kicks, but no goals.

    Inter Miami manager Gerardo “Tata” Martino after the match. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

    During the first half, Inter Miami held an advantage in possession (54.5%-45.5%) but Atlanta took one more shot-on-goal (5-4).

    During the second half, Guzan saved a Luiz Suarez short kick from becoming the game-deciding goal. Messi scored what looked to be a second goal for Inter Miami, but he was offsides.

    After the match, Atlanta United interim manager Rob Valentino said the victory was a team effort and his team “makes things interesting.”

    Asked about Williams’ efforts tonight, Valentino said the defender was a pleasure to coach and is a great teammate. “He’s a quiet leader, he leads by example, he’s not the one you see shouting and screaming,” Valentino said.

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