On Sunday afternoon the Philadelphia Union handedly defeated Toronto FC 4-0 on MLS Decision to clinch first place in the Eastern Conference for the second time in the last three seasons. The Union finished with an impressive record of 19-5-10 for a total of 67 points as they set franchise records for the most wins and points in a single season.
Midfielder Dániel Gazdag scored the first goal of the match in the 4th minute on a volley and ultimately scored two more for a hat trick, his second one of the season. Forward Mikael Uhre scored the other goal for the Union as the team displayed an offensive masterlcass in the victory to end the regular season on a strong note.
Regular Season Numbers
The team recorded 72 goals and only allowed 26 for a goal differential of 46, all of those numbers ranking the best in the league. Philadelphia also recorded 1.97 points per game which was tied for best in league along with LAFC and they were the only team in MLS to go undefeated at home with a mark of 12-0-5 at Subaru Park.
Gazdag led the team this season with 22 goals as he completely dominated in the middle of the field throughout the regular season. Julian Carranza scored the second-most goals on the team with 14 and Uhre tallied 13 for the Boys in Blue. Defender Kai Wagner led the team in assists with 15, Gazdag followed behind with 10, and Carranza recorded nine. The trio of Gazdag, Carranza, and Uhre served to be a dangerous threat on offense throughout the course of the season, and the team finally reaped the rewards of a potent offense.
Managerial Success
This was certainly a successful season for the Union and arguably the best in franchise history, right up there with 2020 season when they won the Supporters Shield. Manager Jim Curtin did an extraordinary job of leading the team to new heights this season and setting record numbers along the way, but the job is not done yet with the playoffs on the horizon.
Throughout the season, Curtin did a great job of rotating players in and out of the lineup and adjusting on the fly with a loaded roster. The additions of Uhre and Carranza were instrumental to the team’s high level of performance this season, and they elevated the offense to new heights. In terms of the defense, goalkeeper Andre Blake and the back line posted 15 clean sheets while only allowing 26 goals which was the fewest allowed by a team in MLS history.
The Union are certainly primed for an exciting postseason run and it will all start on Thursday, October 20th at Subaru Park when they face the winner of the New York Red Bulls and FC Cincinnati match.
"Featured Image: Wes Shepherd/Philadelphia Sports Nation"
