Philadelphia Union are 1 win away from hoisting the Supporters' Shield

Posted Wednesday, October 1, 2025 8:30 am

The Philadelphia Union has been the best team in MLS for most of the 2025 season. With two games left in the league season, Philly is looking to solidify its status as the top team by hoisting the Supporters' Shield. The twists and turns of a 34-game slate make it very hard to be consistently great, but that is what the Union have been in 2025.

With two games remaining, Philadelphia needs to win just one of its final two matches to claim the Supporters' Shield trophy. In a season where the baseline expectation for success was to be competitive and the overachieving level of success was to get home-field advantage for the playoffs (be a top four team in the East), the Union has shown they believe they can be the best in MLS. They're beating out other teams in a historic race for the Shield: Messi and Miami, preseason favorite Cincinnati, newcomers San Diego, and the unassuming Vancouver Whitecaps all are behind Philly, as are the seven other teams that had a legitimate shot at the Shield only a few weeks ago.

This team doesn't have a bona fide superstar; the team is the star. The Union doesn't want to play a beautiful game with the ball; they want to run and press the opposition into making mistakes and then pounce on those mistakes. Regarding roster construction, Philly is the Moneyball team in MLS, relying on diamonds in the rough and academy kids to be key contributors. That team is one win away from being the best team in 2025.

The stars are aligning for the Union to lift its first trophy since 2020. Let's look at how they can do just that, how results are falling their way, and why you may want to be in Subaru Park this Saturday.

Union scenarios to clinch the 2025 Supporters' Shield

Philadelphia has been on a rollercoaster in its last month of play. They secured a crucial win at Cincinnati, suffered their worst loss in team history at Vancouver, failed to beat Nashville in a US Open Cup Semifinal, bounced back against a poor New England team, and then put up a touchdown at DC. All of this showcased the topsyturvy nature of MLS.

Over this span, the Union held the top spot in the Supporters' Shield standings, and then slipped with their big loss. Teams like Cincinnati, San Diego, and even Miami all had the chance to control the Shield race. Over the last two weeks, those teams have been inconsistent, and Philly had the opportunity to get back on top and took it. A gritty home win and raining goals on the road made for a far-fetched yet hopeful scenario for Philly to win a trophy this weekend.

Union, MLS — How the Philadelphia Union can win the Supporters’ Shield on 10/4/2025

Coming into last weekend, Philly held the top spot in the Shield standings, but Miami could hold control with a win over Toronto; they drew. Philly then went on to win 6-0 in DC, San Diego lost at home to San Jose, and Vancouver tied Seattle. This set up a chain of scenario events that showed a path for the Union to win the Shield this coming weekend.

The first string connecting this thread was Cincinnati and Orlando's Sunday Night Soccer match. If Cincy dropped points, the Union would be four points clear at the top of MLS. Orlando scored a 90+6-minute goal to secure that. Flipping the page to this week, Philly needed Miami to drop points in one of their next two matches; they lost a thriller 5-3 to Chicago Tuesday night to check that box for Philly. Now, all that needs to be done is the simplest thing: WIN!

Union, USWNT — Image provided / Philadelphia Union

A win at home vs NYCFC = Hoisting the Shield at home

The Union and NYCFC play in another massive game at Subaru Park this coming weekend. Over the last few seasons, these two have played in decisive elimination games. The 2021 Eastern Conference Final was played between an eventual MLS Cup-winning NYCFC and a Covid-riddled Union team. The following season, Philly got their revenge in the same game, but fell in MLS Cup. Philly will be salivating at the chance to beat NYCFC at home and lift a trophy.

While the stakes for this game are high, both teams are dealing with significant injuries. The Union lost young starlet Quinn Sullivan to a torn ACL this past weekend; NYCFC's star attacker Alonso Martinez is out with a leg injury, and goalkeeper Matt Freese had to leave their last match with an apparent head injury. Injuries notwithstanding, this game has the makings to be special, and fans are taking notice.

As of Tuesday, before Saturday's game, Subaru Park only has standing room only tickets available for the match against NYCFC! Union fans are ready to pack the stadium for the chance to see their team win its first trophy since 2020. It will be a vast difference from the last time Philly had the opportunity to win the Shield at home.

In the COVID-riddled season and world of 2020, Philadelphia won a Supporters' Shield in front of a limited-attendance crowd. This time, the Union has the chance to win the same trophy in a stadium filled to the brim. With three full days to sell standing-room-only tickets, it could be close to or even break attendance records. One thing is for certain: this team will be up for the chance to win a coveted trophy in front of their passionate fans!