Union Etch Their Name in MLS History
Despite the unpredictable year and the uncertainty around the MLS season, the Philadelphia Union didn’t let anything slow them down.
On Sunday, November 8th, 2020, the Union finally brought home the first trophy in club history: The Supporters Shield, awarded to the best team in the MLS regular season.
The Union finished the season with a 14-4-5 (W-L-T) record, amassing a league-best 24 goal differential, and 47 points (2.04 PPG). As well as the trophy, the Union clinches their first-ever spot in the CONCACAF Champions League. However, possibly the biggest factor the Union won, is home ties throughout the playoffs. The Union will be at Subaru Park throughout the playoffs.
This is huge as the Union in the regular season were the only MLS team to achieve a perfect home record, finishing at 9-0-0.
A Look Back Through History
Photo: Wes Shepherd/Philadelphia Sports Nation
This wasn’t the Union’s first time they had a hand on a trophy. In 2014 and 2015, they were in the final of the US Open Cup. However, both times they couldn’t pull it off in then named PPL Park, losing to the Seattle Sounders 3-1 in 2014, and in 2015 losing in heartbreaking penalties to Sporting Kansas City. The team found themselves close again in the US Open Cup, reaching the final in 2018. However, the team would fall 3-0 in Houston.
Being so close many times, but still being empty-handed, left many fans wondering if there would ever be a time the Union would be on top. When the league resumed play after the break due to COVID-19, the Union ran through the MLS is back tournament. They were on fore, reaching the Semifinal of the tournament. However, after being knocked out in the Semifinals to the Portland Timbers, the narrative that the Union cant finish grew stronger.
This Years Team Was Always Different
From the beginning of the season all the way back in February, the Union showed they were different than years past. Union teams of old had a tendency to not be able to bounce back from tough moments. However, after losing in the season opener in Dallas, the Union walked in the 2019 Supporters Shield winner home and pulled out the MLS game of the season. A 3-3 draw against full-strength LAFC had the team, and the CIty eager to see how far the team can really go.
After the break and a strong tournament showing despite falling short, the team was building something special. This team plays with one another, and the depth made the intensive condensed schedule less of a burden. No matter if the team was down or even winning, they had a fire and a fight that Union teams of the past did not.
However, it is not over yet. The Union will look to add to their hardware, and win the MLS Playoffs!
Congratulations to all of the players, the coaching and management staff, the owners, and head coach Jim Curtin!
And to quote Ray Gaddis “Good things happen in Philadelphia!”
Featured Image: Wes Shepherd/Philadelphia Sports Nation
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