Football Season Guide

Philadelphia were seen as one of the big favourites for the title last season but they fell short. Philly also missed out on the CONCACAF Champions League final after losing their semifinal vs LAFC. All of last season the inability to score from open play proved costly. Union had the most converted penalties of any MLS team in 2023 but only Real Salt Lake of the squads that made the play-offs scored fewer goals from open play than Philly. Head coach Jim Curtin, in charge since January 2015, built a very good squad over the years and he refused to give up on this core that many expected to be lifting the title last season. Philly haven’t lost any key players this winter and most of their new signings are youngsters that won’t be involved too much straight away. The balance of the squad is good and the 4-3-1-2 shape is likely to remain in place. In back-to-back season Hungarian Gazdag has been the most prolific goal provider for Union and he should continue to flourish in his role behind the front two. Philly are widely accepted to have the best goalkeeper in the MLS in Andre Blake and the defenders in front of him are solid too. This added to arguably the deepest and most versatile midfield line makes Union a team that hardly have weaknesses.