There were always going to be growing pains for the Philadelphia Union in 2026. Moving on from players who were consistent starters, some of whom were best XI-caliber, is never ideal. On top of that, when those players were the team's best chance creators, top goal scorers, and defensive shape organizers, then the team is going to have a rough go.
Through three MLS matchweeks, the Union has three one-goal losses and has scored only once, from the penalty spot. Now, Philly sits in 12th in the East and has a -3 goal differential. The good news for them is that this is MLS, and one win could see them jump from 12th to seventh. So, could the Union finally get it together and do this? If they are to do so, they will have to do it on the road against fellow winless Eastern Conference side Atlanta United.
All eyes will be on this matchup between winless teams as MLS has this game slotted for 3:15 pm, a standalone window. Both teams have had shockingly poor starts to the season and will be looking to make this game the start of a bounce-back. That type of moment is not unfamiliar to MLS: the 2007 DC United side lost its first three games and then went on to win the Supporters' Shield that same season. Could we see that happen for Philly or Atlanta in 2026? probably not, but you never know with this crazy league.
After a 2025 season in which Atlanta United finished 29th out of 30 teams, the club reset by hiring former coach Tata Martino. Martino helped the club to its only MLS Cup back in 2018. Now, almost a decade later, they brought their legendary gaffer back to help them find success again. So far, that has not been the case in 2026.
The Five Stripes started the season with two games on the road: the first at Cincinnati, where they lost 2-0, both goals coming in the last 10 minutes, and the second was a west coast trip to San Jose, where Atlanta lost again 2-0. Last weekend, they had their home opener welcoming Real Salt Lake, and lost 3-2, finally getting their first goals but still falling short.
Atlanta has been very poor in their first three matches. They have failed to put together real, genuine chances, and as a team that loves to hold possession, that's never a good thing. Atlanta is in the middle of the pack in average possession (54.2%) and at the bottom five in shots per match (3.00), goals per match (0.70), and xG (2.60). Their defensive numbers are not any better.
Conceding seven goals across three matches shows just how unorganized United's defense is. They are 26th in goals conceded per match (2.30), give up the second-most fouls per game (16.3), and are the third-worst team in xG conceded (6.50). Atlanta is a dumpster fire, giving up a lot of chances and goals. This match is the moment Philly has been waiting for, and needs the floodgates to open so their attack can get going before panic sets in at this early stage of the season.
The answer to this question is a combination of getting rid of the growing pains of a new team gelling, tweaking the structure and tactics a bit, and taking chances when they come. If one or two lucky bounces could go the Union's way, that could be the difference between getting their first win and fourth loss of the season. Let's look at a few things Philly needs to do to secure those first three points of the season.
Something noticeably lacking from this team is width in the attack. Even when the Union was good and competing for trophies, this was a complaint, and there are a few ways to fix it. One way is to get the full backs more involved. We all know Kai Wagner isn't here anymore, but players like Frankie Westfield and Philippe Ndinga can provide good service. Get them up the field and firing in crosses against Atlanta's shaky defense, and goals from open play should follow. The second may have been hinted at in the recent CCC match.
The Union seemed to use more of a 4-2-3-1 formation in attack, with Cavan Sullivan and Agustin Anello as attacking midfielders in wide positions. Milan Iloski was then allowed to play almost as a second striker behind a target forward, giving him more room to be a creative attacking playmaker. While this did not result in goals for the Union against Club América, it did allow them to look as dangerous in attack as they have all year against teams not named Defence Force. I assume Bradley Carnell will utilize this formation and some of those playmakers in his starting XI vs Atlanta.
GK: Blake
LB: Ndinga CB: Larson CB: Makhanya RB: Westfield
DM: Jean Jacques DM: Lukic
LAM: C. Sullivan CAM: Iloski RAM: Anello
ST: Damiani
The Union has been in very close games in all three of their games to start the 2026 MLS season. If a ball had bounced their way, or if the opponent had made a mistake, we may have seen some different outcomes. Also, Philly has lost one-goal games to teams atop the East (NYCFC) and tied for the top of the West (San Jose). Maybe getting those games out of the way early will help this team be more battle-tested and ready to take advantage of teams that are "lesser" than them. Could this match vs Atlanta be one of those? We'll have to tune in to see.
Catch the Union's match today at 3:15 pm on FOX or Apple TV
