Philadelphia Union Soars to New Heights After Claiming Supporters' Shield Glory
Philadelphia Union manager Bradley Carnell had one clear objective for his squad on Saturday evening—an opportunity to lift the genuine Supporters' Shield.
Requiring a victory to secure the 2025 trophy, given to Major League Soccer's top regular season performer, the Union delivered by beating New York City FC 1–0 through Mikael Uhre's strike before their supporters at Subaru Park.
The triumph earned the franchise its second Shield ever, but represented the first occasion they could raise the actual trophy, despite claiming the honor during the pandemic-affected 2020 MLS season.
During that campaign, with a tight Supporters' Shield battle against Toronto FC and shipping delays from 2019 champions LAFC, the Union needed an alternative for their potential celebration photo. They enlisted the web manager's fiancée's sister's boyfriend, who possessed a complete Captain America outfit, including a shield that was covered in vinyl for the trophy ceremony.
This occasion, however, featured the genuine article.
"[I wanted] to see the players lift the authentic Shield, [instead of] the improvised version from 2020. Before our team meeting, [I said] 'I want you holding the genuine one,'" Carnell explained to media following the contest. "This carries meaning....I'm the driver, but the players must guide me on our destination, and that's the path we've taken, choosing this direction while finding ways to acknowledge their efforts."
Surprising Championship
Though the regular season championship lacks the prestige of its global equivalents, with MLS Cup remaining the primary prize, the Union weren't anticipated to challenge for either trophy in 2025.
Following their separation from long-serving manager Jim Curtin, Philadelphia faced modest expectations. Even with a coach like Carnell, who achieved success at St. Louis CITY SC before departing after a disappointing 2024 campaign, few considered the Union serious contenders.
Rather than trailing other big-spending Eastern Conference clubs, such as 2024 Shield champions Inter Miami, Philadelphia launched brilliantly, with forward Tai Baribo netting six times in his opening four appearances before reaching 16 goals total, while teammates elevated their performances throughout the squad.
"We aren't the marquee names," Carnell continued. "I'm not the elite coach, we don't mind, we prefer operating this way, staying beneath the spotlight."
When injuries affected the squad, particularly to keeper Andre Blake and midfielder Quinn Sullivan, others rose to meet the challenge. Young goalkeeper Andrew Rick featured in 14 matches replacing Blake, and the team discovered answers by acquiring forward Milan Iloski and others in their quest to keep progressing during a season that showed promise.
"There are countless instances throughout the campaign where you look back and think 'that's incredible,'" Carnell reflected. "We established [our target] at 50 points, and upon reaching it, the coaching staff and I left the pitch beaming, but the players remained unsatisfied and ambitious. This is what we've witnessed from these guys throughout the entire season."
"I consistently demand excellence because I maintain high expectations, these players hold high standards, this represents a championship team. It simply required rebuilding, some foundational adjustments and refinement. But these individuals gave everything, these players are champions, I'm thrilled they succeeded today."
Focus on MLS Cup
Having secured their second MLS trophy, the Union will contest one largely inconsequential fixture on Oct. 18 against Charlotte FC to conclude the regular campaign before entering the MLS Cup Playoffs.
Nevertheless, it's during that concluding phase where they'll aim to break recent patterns and join only eight other clubs in MLS's 30-year existence to capture the Supporters' Shield and follow with an MLS Cup championship.
For Philadelphia, claiming MLS Cup would represent another historic achievement for the organization, which has appeared in just one final but never lifted American soccer's ultimate prize.
"It's always meaningful to hold silverware, but I must emphasize we haven't finished yet and this is merely the beginning," stated MLS All-Star defender Kai Wagner. "The playoffs are starting. Next week brings one final match, but today focuses entirely on celebrating."
The 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs commence with the Wild Card stage on Oct. 22, and the Union will begin the opening round, a best-of-three series versus the Eastern Conference Wild Card victor on Oct. 24, hoping to raise the MLS Cup at home on Dec. 6.