The MLS regular season has come to a close, and the Philadelphia Union are now heading into the playoffs with momentum, determination, and confidence. This season marks an amazing start for Bradley Carnell, the new head coach. The Union finished with a 20-7-6 record and won the 2025 Supporters’ Shield, which is awarded to the team with the best regular season record. They are now off to face New York City FC (NYCFC) on Sunday, November 23, coincidentally the team they last defeated in a tight 1-0 win at home to close out the regular season.
Last year, the Union missed out on the playoffs completely, which caused a bit of frustration with the fans. Many people questioned the future of the team and the approach they were taking, with some even starting the “sell the team” conversation as the frustration grew. This past season also started with even more adversity as the Union brought in Carnell, which left many fans unsure if the team would improve or regress even further. In addition, the team had already traded away two of their promising young players: Jack McGlynn and Daniel Gazdag. These trades raised concerns about the roster since they gave up two of their starting midfielders in return for money which showed concern about the club’s long term plan. Many fans questioned and wondered how the Union would bounce back from such a disappointing season. Under Coach Carnell, the team quickly stepped up and found their rhythm while looking more organized and confident than the year before.Their defense became the best in MLS, allowing only 33 goals—the fewest in the league this season. On offense, striker Tai Baribo stepped up and had a breakout year, scoring 16 goals and becoming one of the Union’s most reliable players. This quick adjustment and turnaround demonstrated that the team was able to move out of the shadow of last year’s disappointment and prove themselves to the fan base once again.
A Rivalry With History
The Union and NYCFC have built one of the fiercest rivalries in the MLS over the last few years. Many fans remember the heartbreak game in the 2021 Eastern Conference Final, when the Union had to play with many key players out due to COVID and lost to NYCFC. The Union did get their revenge the following year when they beat them 3-1 in the 2022 Eastern Conference Finals. This was a huge moment for Union fans, because not only did they beat NYCFC but the win ensured that they earned a spot in their first MLS Cup final game, which they unfortunately fell short in the penalty shootouts to LAFC .
Most of these games between these teams are intense, physical, and emotional. Everyone who is familiar with these two teams expects this upcoming playoff match to be no different. The Union have already beaten NYCFC this year to clinch the Supporters’ Shield, making the matchup even more exciting.
The Pressure of the Playoffs
Since the Union finished with the best record in the league, they now have home field advantage throughout the playoffs. This gives them a boost, especially with how loud and passionate the fans at Subaru Park can be. The only downside to this is the pressure that comes with it.History is not on the side of the Union, as former Supporters’ Shield winners often struggle in the playoffs; only 7 out of 25 previous winners have also held up the MLS Cup trophy. Luckily for the Union, they have a strong system with talented players all around the field, paired with one of the top goalkeepers in the MLS, Andre Blake. They have all the talent to give them a chance to make a deep run, the big question is whether they can stay consistent and finish the job.
