The Philadelphia Union tackle FC Cincinnati Saturday within the workforce’s common season dwelling opener after a 4-2 victory over Orlando Metropolis final week.
Loads of modifications occurred in the course of the offseason, after Philly’s Main League Soccer workforce limped right into a twelfth place end within the 15-team Jap Convention final season and missed out on the playoffs for the primary time since 2017.
So right here’s a fast recap on what’s modified this yr with the workforce and what to look out for at Subaru Park tomorrow.
Carnell in cost
The most important overhaul within the winter was the workforce parting methods with head coach Jim Curtin in November. Two months later, former St. Louis coach Bradley Carnell was appointed because the fourth head coach within the workforce’s historical past. Carnell stated he was seeking to return the workforce to one thing “edgy and troublesome to play in opposition to.”
Carnell coached St. Louis Metropolis SC for 62 common season video games, with a 22-15-25 file. Within the aspect’s inaugural season in 2022, he led the workforce to the highest of the Jap Convention on the finish of the common season, changing into the primary enlargement franchise in league historical past to try this in its debut season. St. Louis suffered a sophomore hunch, and Carnell was fired in the midst of his second season.
New signings
After a temporary, shocking switch ban, the Union broke its switch file buying Uruguayan ahead Bruno Damiani from Nacional. Evaluating the switch price of $3.4 million for the 22-year-old subsequent to the reported MLS-record $22 million plus add-ons quantity Atlanta United paid for Emmanuel Latte Lath places some perspective on it, however the Union’s observe file of shrewd acquisitions ought to have followers optimistic that Damiani may fill the void left behind by Julián Carranza’s departure to Dutch aspect Feyenoord final summer time.
Together with Damiani, the Union have added veteran MLS winger Indiana Vassilev, Serbian midfielder Jovan Lukić and Argentinian central again Ian Glavinovich. Youngsters Eddy Davis, Sal Olivas, Neil Pierre and Frankie Westfield have been introduced up from the academy and youth ranks. Westfield has already offered an help in a standout efficiency on his senior workforce debut.
Immediate influence in his debut ⚡️#DOOP pic.twitter.com/fO0kSfvpjO
— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) February 25, 2025
Who left?
The most important departure is academy product Jack McGlynn to the Houston Dynamo, a transfer that shocked even McGlynn.
Veteran defender Jack Elliott left for the Chicago Fireplace as a free agent, after an deadlock on a brand new deal with the Union. Leon Flach, Matt Actual, Samuel Adeniran and Brandan Craig all left as free brokers as nicely.
The Cavan period
The media circus surrounding the workforce’s 15-year-old phenom Cavan Sullivan is simply going to continue to grow as he’ll be featured in league broadcaster Apple TV+’s docuseries “Onside: Main League Soccer” in the course of the yr.
Unique entry to the rise of a celebrity. ⭐️
Observe Cavan Sullivan’s journey as he makes MLS historical past in Onside, solely on Apple TV+. pic.twitter.com/fK9SPl8Cip
— Main League Soccer (@MLS) February 26, 2025
Till he leaves for English tremendous membership Manchester Metropolis, Sullivan will proceed to be a outstanding a part of the protection of the workforce, the league and its sponsors. Whether or not or not that interprets to minutes on the sector with senior groups is for Carnell and Union Sporting Director Ernst Tanner to determine.
“Now we have gamers on the roster all eligible for minutes, and he falls into that class,” Carnell stated in a press convention Thursday. “And minutes have to be earned. I’m not simply shelling out minutes right here, simply due to no matter identify’s on the again of a shirt.”
Off to a profitable begin
Orlando completed fourth within the Easter Convention and made it so far as the convention last final season, so the Union’s win within the season opener was sudden. Carnell captured the thrill of the outcome within the dressing room afterwards.
A sport of many firsts and a three hundredth! #DOOP pic.twitter.com/t3b9YcQHZA
— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) February 25, 2025
Cincinnati completed third, and although they fell quick within the postseason and would be the visiting workforce, DraftKings had them as having the fourth finest odds to carry the MLS Cup on the finish of the season — Philly was tenth.
Each Damiani and Vassilev are match to play their first minutes for the membership, whereas academy product Nate Harriel is accessible for a return to the aspect.
“As an opponent, coming right here many, a few years, I at all times hated the ‘DOOP’ track. Now I can’t await the ‘DOOP,’” Carnell stated on Thursday. “I’m hoping we are able to reward the followers that come out, and hopefully we present them a little bit of our signature and the best way we need to play and entertain.”
The sport in opposition to Cincinnati begins at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are nonetheless out there, and it may be watched on Apple TV with the extra MLS Season Go subscription.