The Philadelphia Union are in the midst of a tight Supporters’ Shield race.
Currently, the Union sits one point behind Cincinnati for the top spot, while also being tied with Nashville in 2nd.
However, Miami is lurking in the shadows as they are 7 points back, but have 3 games in hand over everyone.
Does the Union have a realistic shot, and how much does the Supporters’ Shield matter?
How Important Is the Shield?
In European soccer culture, winning your league is all that matters. There is no postseason, no tournament to crown a champion. The team that wins the trophy is the team that was the best all season long.
In America, we love our tournaments. Look at the MLB, NFL, NBA, and NHL. A month-long season just to get the best seed in the playoffs. From then on, it is a race to be the last team standing.
Don’t get me wrong, it works. There are few things in sports more thrilling than a game 7 or the Super Bowl. However, as far as accomplishment, doesn’t it say more if you were the best over 8 months rather than a few weeks?
The Union has 1 Supporters Shield in its history. However, there has to be an asterisk on it. They won it in 2020, when COVID-19 shortened the season and teams played the same regional opponents all season.
Any trophy will hold significance for this Union club. In what should have been a rebuilding year, the Union has its eyes set on 3 possible trophies. The Supporters Shield, the US Open Cup, and the MLS Cup. However, should the Union edge out all the other teams the rest of the regular season, that Supporters Shield may just be the most meaningful of them all.
The Race for the Shield
The Union will have its hands full if it wants to take home the Shield. Not only do they have to compete with top clubs like Nashville, Cincinnati, and Columbus, but there is a goat lurking in the shadows.
As things stand, Cincinnati is one point ahead of the Union and Nashville. The Union has perhaps the easiest schedule remaining. Besides one date with Cincinnati, the Union steers clear of any team in the top 5 of their conference.
Both Cincy and Nashville have to play Miami, as well as each other. Columbus has a similar schedule to the Union, where they are done facing the top contenders in the League.
Long story short, the Union will need to stay hot and get some help. It is up to Bradley Carnell to lead the Union to the Shield. We saw on Saturday that he decided to rest his starters in a very winnable away game in Houston. A decision that cost the Union 2 points.
Most importantly, the Union needs someone to bring Miami down. If Miami turns its 3 games in hand into wins, it would sit 2 points ahead of everyone. Unfortunately for the rest of MLS, Lionel Messi has his team scorching hot. If no one can step to Messi and Miami, this is all a moot point, and Miami runs away with the shield.
No matter, the top 5 of the Eastern Conference are setting up a generational race.
The group is loaded with talent, and any team can make a run not only to the Shield but also to MLS Cup itself.
Coming into 2025, no one expected the Union to be fighting with the top dogs in the Conference.
Not only are they right at the top, but they also have a chance to bring home some hardware.
PHOTO: Maria Lysaker/Imagn Images
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