Bradley Carnell’s first year as coach of the Philadelphia Union has been a revelation, as he has transformed a team that finished 12th in the MLS Eastern Conference last year into a winner of the Supporters’ Shield.

Now it is on to the postseason for the Union, who open a three-game series at home against the Chicago Fire on Sunday night in Chester, Pa.

Philadelphia is attempting to capture the MLS Cup for the first time and become the eighth team in league history to win the title after finishing with the best regular-season record.

The last club to accomplish the feat was Los Angeles FC in 2022, when they topped the visiting Union on penalty kicks after the teams played to a 3-3 draw.

“The last time that we were in this position, where we finished first in the East, we had to go away for MLS Cup,” Nathan Harriel said. “It makes a big difference being home versus away in these games. It’s great to know that the rest of this year can run through Philadelphia, and it will run through Philadelphia.”

Harriel is part of Carnell’s signature pressing, structured defense, which surrendered the fewest goals (35) in MLS.

Led by Kai Wagner (two goals, 11 assists) and Jakob Glesnes, who are two of the three nominees for MLS Defender of the Year, Philadelphia has posted 14 clean sheets, including a pair against Chicago.

In the most recent matchup, a 4-0 domination at home Aug. 23, four different players scored, including Tai Baribo, who leads the Union with 16 goals.

Since then, however, Chicago has gone 5-1-2, including a 3-1 win Wednesday over Orlando City in the Eastern Conference wild-card game as Hugo Cuypers scored a brace in the second half.

“They’ve changed formations. They’ve changed a lot of different things that have matched up to the opponent,” Carnell said. “But what they don’t change is the quality of their group, and their front three are excellent soccer players.”

In addition to Cuypers (19 goals), the trio includes Philip Zinckernagel (15 goals, 17 assists) and Jonathan Bamba (five goals, 11 assists).

They pace an offense that produced 68 goals, which was the second most in the league and helped boost the Fire to their first playoff berth since 2017.

Chicago has not won at Philadelphia since 2013.

“They’re Supporters’ Shield champs for a reason,” Fire coach Gregg Berhalter said. “They have a deep squad, so we’ll have our hands full.”

–Field Level Media