The MLS is not all about Lionel Messi. The Philadelphia Union have come storming out of the blocks and are in the equation to top the Eastern Conference as the season moves into its second phase.
Bradley Carnell was introduced as new coach at the beginning of January. The South African had led Louis City SC to the Western Conference in 2023 which was clearly noted. He was also employed for his defensive structure and ability to get a team to gel and become more than the sum of its parts. It’s a philosophy that’s working well so far, reflected in the online betting markets.
The Union managed to score freely enough last season, but they were leaky at the back. Conceding is the death of progress and Carnell’s structure has been an absolute breath of fresh air for attack and defence. There is something a little bit more direct about the play too under the new regime. The Johannesburg-born native has a history of creating sides that rely on speedy counter- attacks with a ferocious counter-pressing approach.
Their unbeaten streak in the first half of the season has been predicated on such methods of pinning teams in with that front-footed approach. Carnell has not only improved the shutouts but also the variations on goal scorers. Assists are coming from everywhere. Every man has his job in the squad. There are no passengers. Utility men like Nathan Harriel are key.
Tai Baribo is the main goal threat and was the only player in the league with double-digits coming into June. One of the most memorable games was against LA Galaxy when the Philly came back from 2-0 down. The Israeli forward is on course for the Golden Boot and became the fastest player in Union history to reach ten-plus goals, beating the former record by Jack McInerney.
Baribo is the kind of fox in the box that every top coach needs in their team. He can score with either foot and the ratio of almost a goal a game when the rock-solid defence is doing its job at the back is a powerful combo..
The team showed their resilience again in Toronto when they came back from 1-0 down with Harriel scoring a few minutes from the end before Kai Wagner stole the win.
Wagner and Andre Blake stood up as team leaders that night and have cemented Philly’s status as real contenders. Blake has now completed more than a century of clean sheets and is still the big voice in the dressing room with a save percentage of more than 70 per cent. He is the perfect sounding board for rookie teen Andrew Rick who has impressed as another native player stepping up to make big saves.
Galaxy are the most successful club in MLS history with six Cups and ten final appearances. While the Union only have a solitary Cup final appearance in 2022, they continue to punch the nose of other illustrious opponents. It needed a sensational free-kick by Messi for Inter to scrape a 3-3 draw against the Union in late May.
Philadelphia Union are certainly flying the flag for youth and one of its most influential midfielders, Quinn Sullivan, who is providing numerous assists after his breakout season in 2024. The homegrown player is a great symbol of progress and is working well alongside more hardened warriors like Jakob Glesnes. The Norwegian was MLS Defender of the Year three years ago, and has recaptured that form after injury issues. He is loving the blocks, interceptions and dirty work.
The Union is the gold standard for academy growth and there is a real reason for the unity and result that is currently being shown on the pitch. The academy, the second team and the first team are all in the same place. Look at the role of Cavan Sullivan, a 15-year-old so talented that he will go to Manchester City when he turns 18.
The Union are not big-spenders given that this model works. They are the very antithesis of the big splash signings of their big city rivals. However, their coach has warned that the second part of the season is going to be extremely difficult.
While it is easy to dismiss the MLS as a second home for the retro superstars, there are several young and hungry domestic players that offer the United States a real sense of hope as the 2026 World Cup approaches. Sullivan and Harriel are part of the future of the national game. For now, they will want to bag the biggest prize in Philadelphia’s soccer history.