How the Philadelphia Union Can Secure An MLS Cup Playoff Berth This Weekend

On Wednesday afternoon, Major League Soccer announced the scenarios in which the Philadelphia Union could punch their ticket to the 2025 MLS Cup playoffs in their road match against FC Cincinnati this weekend. The Blue and Gold failed to qualify for the playoffs in 2024 for the first time since 2017, which subsequently led to the sacking of long-time head coach Jim Curtin during the off-season. Now, in the first season under Bradley Carnell, the Union are not only close to securing their spot in the post-season but are also hoping to lock in the top spot in the Eastern Conference and lift the Supporters Shield trophy come October 18th.

Union's Playoff Clinching Scenarios This Weekend Union's path to punching their playoff ticket this weekend is pretty straightforward: Don't lose against FC Cincinnati on the road and hope for a Red Bulls loss against Columbus. -win vs FC Cincinnati AND New York Red Bulls loss/draw vs Columbus Crew OR...-Philadelphia Union draw vs FC Cincinnati AND New York Red Bulls loss vs Columbus Crew

https://twitter.com/Jimmyking35/status/1960765778526888146

Even if the stars don't align on Saturday night, Bradley Carnell's side sits 15 points above the Chicago Fire, who currently occupy the 10th spot in the East and just below the playoff line. So, clinching their ticket is just a matter of time, barring a disastrous losing streak to end the season. Playoffstatus.com currently has the Union at >99% chance of making the playoffs with six games remaining.

Other MLS Playoff Deciding Scenarios This Weekend FC Cincinnati - Clinch FC Cincinnati will clinch a playoff berth this weekend with:-Win vs Philadelphia Union AND New York Red Bulls loss/draw vs Columbus Crew Minnesota United FC - Clinch Minnesota United FC will clinch a playoff berth this weekend with:-Win vs Portland Timbers OR...-Draw vs Portland Timbers AND Colorado Rapids loss/draw at Sporting Kansas City OR...-Draw vs Portland Timbers AND San Jose Earthquakes loss at Austin FC OR...-ColoradoRapids loss at Sporting Kansas City AND Houston Dynamo loss/draw at St. Louis City SC AND San Jose Earthquakes draw at Austin FC CF Montreal - Elimination CF Montreal will be eliminated from playoff contention with:-loss/draw at Toronto FC OR...-New York Red Bulls win vs Columbus Crew Toronto FC - Elimination Toronto FC will be eliminated from playoff contention with:-loss vs CF Montreal AND New York Red Bulls win vs Columbus Crew Atlanta United - Elimination Atlanta United will be eliminated from playoff contention with:-loss/draw vs Nashville SC AND New York Red Bulls win vs Columbus Crew

Supporters Shield Update With just a few weeks left in the 2025 season, the Supporters Shield race is thicker than ever I don't think we can count anyone out just yet. Philadelphia, San Diego, and Cincinnati lead the pack with 54, 53, and 52 points, respectively, and 28 games played each. Vancouver sits just 5 points behind the Shield-leading Union with only 27 games played, and Inter Miami is 8 points back with just 25 games under their belt and 27 points available on the table.

Place	Team	Points	Games Played	Goal Differential
1st	Philadelphia Union	54 pts	28 GP	+22
2nd	San Diego FC	53 pts	28 GP	+19
3rd	FC Cincinnati	52 pts	28 GP	+7
4th	Nashville SC	50 pts	28 GP	+17
5th	Minnesota United FC	50 pts	28 GP	+16
6th	Vancouver Whitecaps	49 pts	27 GP	+16
7th	Charlotte FC	47 pts	28 GP	+7
8th	Orlando City SC	47 pts	28 GP	+14
9th	Inter Miami	46 pts	25 GP	+14
10th	Columbus Crew	45 pts	27 GP	+4

Be sure to return to Philly Sports Network for more Philadelphia Union and other soccer content! Follow our Union team on Twitter: Tim Lovenguth | Jimmy King | Nate TennesenSteve Beavon | Eric Frysinger | Paul FrenzelTomiwa Aderinoye | Christopher Babos | Liam Jenkins Doop on Union fans!