While we don’t quite yet know who Philadelphia Union will host in the first round of the 2020 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, the Supporters’ Shield winning club enters as one of the favorites to lift the trophy. Here are five reasons why the Boys in Blue are primed to grab a second piece of silverware this season.
Subaru Park
It’s true, and it’s a record: The Union were perfect at Subaru Park in 2020. Nine home matches in Chester and all nine times the Union emerged victorious. Over the past few seasons, Head Coach Jim Curtin has said the club looks to make their home-field advantage count and with the top overall seed in the postseason, the road to the cup runs through the Union’s stadium.
Best Defense in the League
Boosted by Andre Blake, the 2020 Allstate Goalkeeper of the Year, and Mark McKenzie, the runner-up for Defender of the Year, the Union’s defense was the best in all of MLS. In fact, it was one of the best in league history, with opposing teams averaging just 0.87 goals per match. At home, that number dropped to just 0.44 including five shutouts! The back line of Ray Gaddis, McKenzie, Jakob Glesnes and Kai Wagner got stronger as the push for the postseason got hotter. In four of the last six home matches, the opposition left with a zero on their score line.
Battle Tested
With a trophy now to their name, the Boys in Blue have confidence as the pressure turns up for the postseason. They bring into this postseason success over the past 12 months in win or go home scenarios that previous Union teams just haven’t had. In 2019, the Union fought back against rival New York Red Bulls to win in extra time and claim the club’s first MLS Cup Playoffs win. Then, in 2020, the Union made it the semifinals of the MLS Is Back Tournament in Orlando. Those experiences will settle the nerves that can disrupt good teams as they enter the postseason.
Hungry Homegrowns
Fun fact: The Union never lost a match in 2020 when a homegrown scored. The Union pride themselves on building from within and it paid dividends this season with 13 goals and 12 assists via Brenden Aaronson, Mark McKenzie, Anthony Fontana and Matt Real. And don’t forget goalkeeper Matt Freese – the local product shut out the Revs in the season finale to clinch the Supporters’ Shield. Aaronson has repeatedly said he wants to bring trophies to Philadelphia and its fans before departing for Red Bull Salzburg at the end of the season. That hunger to reward the people who supported him through his MLS journey will show through in each touch, press, and pass the 20-year-old makes throughout the postseason.
Deadly Depth
With the full-on shift to the 4-4-2 diamond in 2020, the Union have been able to wear out opposing teams with their pressing and quick counter attacks. In the second half, that allows the Union’s substitutes to come in and cause massive damage to the tune of 16 goals between the 61st and 75th minutes. Attacking pieces like Anthony Fontana, Ilsinho and Cory Burke allow the Union’s frontline to go all out and know that when their legs go, the next wave is coming. When Curtin and his staff need to lock down a match defensively, Olivier Mbaizo, Jack Elliott and Warren Creavalle can step in to seal a lead. With five substitutes allowed this season and in the playoffs, the Union’s depth is certainly a strong reason they are never out of any match.
