Philadelphia Union: Mid-Season Review and Looking Ahead to the Second Half of 2025
As of May 31st, the Philadelphia Union is sitting pretty at the top of the Eastern Conference with an impressive 10 wins, 3 losses, and 4 draws. They currently rank second overall in Major League Soccer (MLS) at the halfway point of the season. While their achievements are commendable, the road ahead presents more challenges. Here’s a look at their current status and what fans can expect in the second half of 2025.
Current Performance and Key Wins
The Union’s success thus far has been marked by several dominant performances, especially in May, where they went unbeaten in seven MLS games and two U.S. Open Cup matches. A glance at their record reveals that they’ve beaten the teams they were expected to defeat, with the majority of wins coming against lower-ranked teams.
Key Wins of the Season:
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@Orlando 4-2 (7th place)
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Cincinnati 4-1 (2nd place)
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@New England 2-0 (10th place)
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St. Louis 1-0 (14th place)
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Atlanta 3-0 (13th place)
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D.C. 3-0 (12th place)
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@Montreal 2-1 (15th place)
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LA Galaxy 3-2 (15th place)
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@Atlanta 1-0 (13th place)
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@Toronto 2-1 (14th place)
The Union’s victories have been solid, but they were largely expected to win against lower-tier opponents. The real challenge lies in competing against higher-ranked teams, especially as the season progresses.
May: A Month of Mixed Results
While the Union’s unbeaten run in May is certainly noteworthy, it must be noted that a large portion of their wins came against weaker opponents. Their success is reflective of their strength in beating lower-placed teams, but the true test will come against those that pose a greater challenge.
Nevertheless, credit must be given for performing consistently, especially considering the grueling schedule. The Union played a total of seven MLS games and two U.S. Open Cup matches within 29 days, showcasing their endurance and resilience.
Challenges in the Second Half of 2025
The second half of the season presents a far more difficult path. After the June break, the Union will face several hurdles, particularly with key players missing due to injuries and international duty. Key absences include:
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Goalkeeper Andre Blake
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Center back Nathan Harriel
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Defensive midfielder Danley Jean Jacques
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Attacking midfielder Quinn Sullivan
Additionally, top strikers Mikael Uhre and Tai Baribo are both injured, adding to the already complex injury situation. Two important center backs, Ian Glavinovich and Neil Pierre, are also sidelined with knee injuries, further complicating matters for coach Jim Curtin.
Remaining Schedule
The Union’s schedule for the rest of the season presents a mix of home and away games, with at least one more away match than home games. Here’s how their remaining fixtures are shaping up:
Home Games:
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Charlotte (8th place)
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New York Red Bulls (6th place)
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New York Red Bulls (US Open Cup)
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Montreal (15th place)
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Colorado (9th place)
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Toronto (14th place)
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Chicago (9th place)
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New England (11th place)
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New York City (10th place)
Away Games:
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Chicago (9th place)
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Columbus (5th place)
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Nashville (4th place)
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Houston (10th place)
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NY Red Bulls (6th place)
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Cincinnati (2nd place)
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Vancouver (1st place)
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D.C. (12th place)
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Charlotte (8th place)
Notably, the Union will also have to manage their U.S. Open Cup commitments, where if they progress, they will play at least two more games, possibly in an away setting, as they are placed fourth in the semifinal draw.
Key Questions for the Second Half
As the season progresses, several questions will need answering:
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Tactical Adjustments: Will coach Jim Curtin have tactical tweaks ready to take on the stronger teams in the Eastern Conference and beyond? The Union’s consistent “4-2-2-2” formation has worked so far, but tactical flexibility may be needed to secure vital points.
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Player Impact: Can any of the Union’s younger players step up to fill the gaps left by key injuries? Goalkeeper Andrew Rick has been promising, but can others like Jack McGlynn or Paxten Aaronson make a significant impact in midfield?
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Midseason Signings: Sporting Director Ernst Tanner has hinted at the possibility of signing a midseason impact player. With several injuries and missing key players, this could be crucial for the Union’s playoff push.
Conclusion
The first half of 2025 has been a strong start for the Philadelphia Union, but the road ahead promises tougher tests. The challenge will be for Curtin and his squad to maintain their momentum while dealing with injuries and tough opposition. If they can overcome these hurdles, the Union could be primed for a strong playoff push, with a potential for more silverware on the horizon.
