The Philadelphia Union secured a place in the MLS Cup playoffs with a 0-0 draw at Nashville SC, capping one of the most remarkable turnarounds in league history. After sitting at the bottom of the Eastern Conference and the entire league with just seven points at the end of the World Cup break, the Union have collected 40 points in the interim — 12 wins, four draws and a single loss — outpacing the second-best team, Nashville SC, by five points.
Coaching change sparks revival
The transformation began when the club moved on from Supporters' Shield-winning head coach Bradley Carnell and appointed 36-year-old Ryan Richter, previously the MLS Next Pro coach and an assistant under Jim Curtin. A pivotal meeting between captain Alejandro Bedoya and Richter at Two Persons Coffee in South Philadelphia, coupled with the return of left back Kai Wagner, helped galvanize the squad. The Union achieved the playoff berth despite missing 17-year-old phenom Cavan Sullivan, along with forwards Bruno Damiani and Milan Iloski — accounting for 38 of the team's 59 league goals — underscoring a deep "next-man-up" mentality.
Tactical shift under Richter
Under Carnell, the Union relied on a high-press system that proved unsustainable with the added demands of the Concacaf Champions Cup, especially without Wagner and with Neil Pierre on loan in Denmark. Richter has since implemented a zonal press that allows the midfield to conserve energy and maintain intensity for 90 minutes. The 6-foot-7 Pierre, alongside Nathan Harriel, provides aerial dominance and one-on-one security at center back, enabling the team to play aggressively higher up the field. "We can be super aggressive because Neil is comfortable in one-on-one situations," Richter said. "If it's a direct ball, he wins; he eats all of these. If it's open space that he has to defend, physically, he can deal with that." Three-time MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Andre Blake anchors a defense that has markedly improved since the World Cup break.
Sullivan's rise
Cavan Sullivan has been a primary catalyst, recording seven goals and 11 assists overall, with nine of those assists coming after the World Cup break — second in the league only to Evander. The 17-year-old's quick bursts into space have tormented defenses, and he earned his first senior national team cap under Mauricio Pochettino alongside Pierre and Frankie Westfield. Sullivan requested extra training during the break rather than time off, returning as a more complete player. He is set to join Manchester City when he turns 18 next year, and is widely regarded as one of the best American prospects ever developed. Playing alongside his older brother Quinn has aided his transition, but Sullivan has emerged as a star in his own right.
Forward duo leads attack
Milan Iloski, a longtime journeyman, has found a home in Philadelphia and leads all American scorers in MLS with 19 goals and seven assists, ranking third in the league overall. His expected goals (xG) of 18.77 confirms he is not overperforming. After the departure of Tai Baribo to D.C. United, questions about the Union's scoring were answered by Iloski and Uruguayan Bruno Damiani, who has added 12 goals. New signing Ezekiel Alladoh has managed just one goal and one assist in 26 appearances and may see limited playoff minutes barring injury.
Playoff outlook
If the season ended today, the Union would face Inter Miami in a three-game first-round series, a matchup sure to bring fireworks after a heated previous encounter. With two regular-season games remaining, Philadelphia could still slide to the eight-versus-nine play-in game with a pair of losses. The "Why not us" mantra that has long carried Philadelphia sports teams resonates strongly, and the interim tag on Richter's title is widely expected to be removed after the season. For now, the focus remains on winning more soccer games.
