Sit back and relax, DOOP fans. Your Philadelphia Union are 2025 MLS Supporters’ Shield winners and they’ve locked in the #1 seed and home field advantage through the MLS Cup Playoffs.
But Bradley Carnell and his side aren’t taking the foot off the gas and turning their attention to playoffs just yet, as the blue and gold have a chance to become the most successful Union team in club history with a win against Charlotte FC and a 69 point finish on Decision Day.
When: Saturday October 18th @ 6:00pm
Where: Charlotte, NC @ Bank of America Stadium
How To Watch: MLS Season Pass, Apple TV+
Union: +170
Charlotte FC: +130
Draw: +260
Preview by The Numbers
|
Philadelphia Union |
Charlotte FC |
|
|
Current Record (Last 5 MLS games) |
W, L, W, W, W |
W, W, L, L, W |
|
Expected Goals: |
65.29 (5th best) |
56.6 (13th best) |
|
Total Goals Scored: |
57 (8th best) |
53 (T-11th best) |
|
Expected Goals Conceded: |
38.7 (4th best) |
51.2 (22nd best) |
|
Total Goals Conceded: |
33 (1st best) |
46 (10th best) |
|
Clean Sheets: |
14 (1st best) |
12 (3rd best) |
|
Top Goal Scorers: |
Baribo: 16 |
Toklomati: 11 |
|
Top Assist Leader |
Wagner: 11 |
Biel: 12 |
|
Union Total Record vs Charlotte FC |
4W-2D-2L |
|
Goals scored vs Charlotte FC: |
8 |
|
Goals conceded vs Charlotte FC |
9 |
|
Last 5 Games vs Charlotte FC |
W - 2-1 (6/14/25) |
|
Top Active Goal-Scorer |
Wilfried Zaha - 1 |
Charlotte FC come into decision day with a record of 18W-2D-13L for a total of 56 points, which has them sitting in 4th place in the Eastern Conference, the last spot in the standings to guarantee home field advantage in the opening round of the MLS Cup Playoffs.
Charlotte got off to an impressive 6W-1D-2L start to the season, but hit a rough patch from May through June where Dean Smith’s side won just 2 of their next 11 League matches (2W-0D-9L).
Since then, the team has re-found its footing and have put together a strong finish to the season with a record of 10W-1D-2L in their previous 13 matches coming into Decision Day. During that span, Charlotte have outscored their opponents by a total of 21GF-12GA, and have recorded 7 clean sheets to match their offensive output.
Charlotte will be coming into Decision Day looking for all 3 points which would lock in a top 4 finish for Dean Smith’s side as they hold the tie-breaker over NYCFC with 1 more total wins.
The team can’t finish any higher than 4th in the Eastern Conference, but with a loss to the Union on Saturday and wins by both NYCFC (Home vs Seattle) and Nashville SC (Home vs Miami), Dean Smith’s side would drop down to 6th in the East and lose their home field advantage in the Best-Of-Three opening round of the playoffs.
“I know they’re a strong home team, and I know the fans get behind them, and we have to build he right tension in our bodies and the right mentality to go there and play in that environment.” - Bradley Carnell
Philadelphia Union come into the final day of the season sitting atop of the MLS standings, and that’s exactly where they’ll stay through the conclusion of Decision Day after lifting the 2025 MLS Supporters’ Shield in front of a sold out Subaru Park crowd 2 weeks ago.
Although the #1 spot is locked down and the Union are all but awaiting their first-round opponent, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Bradley Carnell’s side come out strong and searching for 3 points on the road, which would give the Union 69 points on the season - a new club record - and would have the boys heading into playoffs full of confidence and and in good form.
GK: Blake
RB: Harriel, CB: Makhanya, CB: Glesnes, LB: Wagner
CDM: Lukic, CDM: Bueno
CAM: Iloski, CAM: Vassilev
ST: Uhre, ST: Damiani
