Philadelphia Union

Philadelphia received the 16th MLS franchise on February 28, 2008. Owned and operated by Keystone Sports and Entertainment, LLC, the club used the working name MLS Philadelphia 2010 during its preparations.⁠[1]

On May 11, 2009, the club unveiled the Philadelphia Union name, crest and colors at Philadelphia City Hall. The name refers to the union of the Thirteen Colonies; the crest’s rattlesnake draws on Benjamin Franklin’s political cartoons, while navy and gold echo Continental Army uniforms.⁠[1]

Philadelphia Union began its inaugural MLS season on March 25, 2010.⁠[2]

On June 27, 2010, the Union opened the 18,500-seat PPL Park in Chester with a 3–1 comeback win over the Seattle SoundersSeattle Sounders FCSeattle Sounders FC is an MLS professional soccer club in Seattle, Washington, with Lumen Field as its regular home venue.Open the full entry. Sébastien Le Toux, Fred and Danny Mwanga scored for Philadelphia.⁠[3]

In the September 2014 U.S. Open Cup final, Philadelphia lost 3–1 to Seattle after extra time at PPL Park. The Union, led by interim coach Jim Curtin, had held a halftime lead.⁠[4]

In 2015, Philadelphia again hosted the U.S. Open Cup final, losing to Sporting Kansas CitySporting Kansas CitySporting Kansas City is an MLS professional soccer club with its regular home in Kansas City, Kansas.Open the full entry in a penalty shootout.⁠[5]

On September 26, 2018, Philadelphia lost the U.S. Open Cup final 3–0 away to Houston DynamoHouston Dynamo FCHouston Dynamo FC is an MLS professional soccer club in Houston, Texas, playing at Shell Energy Stadium. It began play in Houston in 2006 and won MLS Cup in each of its first two seasons.Open the full entry.⁠[6]

On February 18, 2020, the Union and Subaru of America announced a multiyear naming partnership for Subaru Park. The stadium sits on the Delaware River in Chester as part of the club’s waterfront campus.⁠[7]

On June 15, 2020, the club announced that Kevin Durant had purchased a 5% stake, with an option for another 5%. The agreement also involved Thirty Five Ventures in marketing and community programs.⁠[8]

On November 8, 2020, Philadelphia beat New England 2–0 to clinch its first Supporters’ Shield. Its 14-win, four-loss, five-draw season produced 2.04 points per game and the club’s first Concacaf Champions League berth.⁠[9]

On November 5, 2022, Philadelphia played in its first MLS Cup final, drawing 3–3 with LAFCLos Angeles Football ClubLos Angeles Football Club (LAFC) are a Major League Soccer club whose regular home is BMO Stadium in Los Angeles. The club won its first MLS Cup in 2022.Open the full entry after extra time before losing the shootout 3–0. Jack Elliott put the Union ahead in extra-time stoppage time, but Gareth Bale then equalized.⁠[10]

On November 7, 2024, Philadelphia parted ways with Curtin. He had coached the team since 2014, led it to the 2022 MLS Cup final and won MLS Coach of the Year in 2020 and 2022.⁠[11]

Bradley Carnell became Philadelphia’s fourth head coach on January 2, 2025. He had previously managed St. Louis CITY and served as an assistant and interim head coach with the New York Red BullsRed Bull New YorkRed Bull New York (RBNY) are a Major League Soccer club based at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey. The club has competed in MLS since 1996, previously as the MetroStars, and is owned by Red Bull.Open the full entry.⁠[12]

On July 17, 2025, WSFS Bank Sportsplex opened beside Subaru Park in Chester. The $100 million complex brings the first team, second team, academy and YSC Academy school together on one campus and includes community sports facilities.⁠[13]

On October 4, 2025, Philadelphia clinched its second Supporters’ Shield with a 1–0 home win over NYCFCNew York City Football ClubNew York City FC (NYCFC) is a Major League Soccer club representing New York City. Awarded its franchise in 2013, it began MLS play in 2015 and won the 2021 MLS Cup.Open the full entry. Mikael Uhre scored the only goal as the Union set a club record with its 20th win of the season.⁠[14]

On November 6, 2025, MLS named Carnell Coach of the Year. Philadelphia finished the regular season with a league-high 66 points and remained unbeaten in 16 of its 17 home games.⁠[15]

On November 19, 2025, MLS reopened its investigation into allegations that sporting director Ernst Tanner had made inappropriate and insensitive comments. Tanner was placed on administrative leave.⁠[16]

On November 23, 2025, Philadelphia lost 1–0 at home to NYCFC in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Maxi Moralez scored in the 27th minute, and the Union could not equalize.⁠[17]

On March 16, 2026, MLS said an outside investigation had substantiated Tanner’s violations of league policies and professional-conduct standards. It suspended him without pay through June 1 and required completion of a league-approved restorative practices program before reinstatement.⁠[16]

The club supported the sanction and named Jon Scheer interim sporting director. In a statement released by the club, Tanner expressed regret for the situation’s impact on the organization and its supporters.⁠[18]

On May 27, 2026, Philadelphia appointed Scheer sporting director and announced Carnell’s departure. Union II coach Ryan Richter became interim first-team head coach while the club began a search for a permanent replacement.⁠[19]

In September 2026, Cavan Sullivan, Neil Pierre and Frankie Westfield received their first senior U.S. national-team call-ups. Richter was still serving as interim head coach, and the Union had put together a ten-match unbeaten run after the World Cup break.⁠[20]

Philadelphia Union: Official website: https://www.philadelphiaunion.com/ (opens in a new window).⁠[21]