Philadelphia Union Check-In: Where the best club in MLS stands 1 month until Decision Day
Even if you aren’t a soccer fan, the Philadelphia Union have become increasingly difficult to ignore. For those of you like me who adore the beautiful game, this has been a dream season for the team, even by last season’s lofty standards.
The Union are the best club in MLS, and it isn’t close.
95th in the world may not seem like much, but considering there are literally thousands of professional soccer clubs – 100 of which make up Europe’s top-5 leagues – it’s incredibly good for an American side. Even so, I prefer to be number one out of 14, which is where the Union sit in the Eastern Conference.
Hungarian international Daniel Gazdag has been in MVP form this season. Despite being one of my most frustrating players to watch the last couple of years, he’s become the talismanic star Philadelphia fans always knew he could be.
His goal-scoring numbers are truly eye-watering this season, setting club records and leading the Eastern Conference in goals + assists (and is the only player in the conference to make the top 5).
Of course, it isn’t just Gazdag banging in the goals. Julian Carranza – an absolute steal from Inter Miami – has been a welcome addition to the club’s attacking front. Adding in contributions from Mikkel Uhre and Kai Wagner, the squad can hurt opponents in numerous ways.
Andre Blake leads the league in clean sheets with 13. How fucking good is this team? Very.
Of course, the man in charge is also one of the best managers in MLS. Jim Curtin has been through some down years in Philly, but he’s helped bring the Union to heights never before achieved in the club’s brief history.
Despite winning last season’s Supporters Shield for the best record in MLS, the club fell short in the playoffs due to a severe COVID outbreak. With three games left in this regular season, it’s almost time for the next phase of their redemption tour.
Forget the regular season. Give me anybody to face the Union in Subaru Park, and I’m picking Union -1.5 – it’s really that simple.
