Philadelphia Union have officially clinched the 2025 Supporters’ Shield after grinding out a 1–0 win over New York City FC. The result capped off the strongest campaign of the season and locked up the most sought-after trophy of Major League Soccer’s regular season. With 66 points in 33 matches, the Union finished at the top of the standings and broke their own record with 20 wins, a clear sign of a team that stayed sharp, disciplined, and efficient under head coach Bradley Carnell.
A balanced and disciplined side
In his first year on the job, Carnell managed to keep Philadelphia among the league’s most reliable teams. He took charge during the offseason and quickly reorganized the squad without shaking its identity. The defense was the backbone all year long — best in MLS, giving up only 33 goals in 33 games. At Subaru Park, the team turned home turf into a fortress with 12 victories, and on the road they hit a milestone, collecting eight away wins, another club record.
That kind of steadiness came from a well-built roster that mixed leadership and depth. Forward Tai Baribo, defender Jakob Glesnes, and left back Kai Wagner were all standout performers and earned spots in the 2025 MLS All-Star Game. Even when things got tough, the group stayed strong. Midfielder Quinn Sullivan’s season ended early after tearing his ACL in late September, but the Union never lost rhythm.
With star goalkeeper Andre Blake sidelined by injuries, young Andrew Rick stepped in and held his ground in some big moments. In the middle of the park, Jovan Lukic and Danley Jean Jacques kept the balance, while Indiana Vassilev and Milan Iloski linked play moving forward. Up top, Baribo led the line with support from Mikael Uhre and Bruno Damiani, giving the attack enough rotation and consistency to finish the season strong.
A victory that shapes what comes next
The title hands Philadelphia home-field advantage all the way through the 2025 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs. Their postseason starts against the winner of the Eastern Conference Wild Card matchup, and with Subaru Park behind them, the Union will be tough to beat through to the final set for December 6. Beyond the Shield, the club also secured a spot in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup, another step in keeping Philadelphia among the top sides on the continent.
The game that sealed the deal was all about control and composure. Around the 40th minute, Jovan Lukic slipped a clever ball to Mikael Uhre inside the box, and the forward didn’t miss, his strike left goalkeeper Freese with no chance. That lone goal was enough to wrap up the win and spark a huge celebration at Subaru Park, with fans, families, and players all sharing the moment as the Union lifted their second Supporters’ Shield in club history.