Philadelphia Union learned on Wednesday night that the club will face off against Chicago Fire FC in the MLS Cup Playoffs Round One Best-of-3 series which kicks off at Subaru Park on Sunday, October 26th at 5:30PM ET.
The Union are the top seed in the postseason after claiming the Supporters' Shield for the second time in club history and will have homefield advantage thoroughout the entire playoffs.
Chicago comes to Subaru Park after knocking off Orlando City, 3-1, in the Eastern Conference Wild Card match on Wednesday night. After the two sides played to a scoreless first half, Chicago's persistence paid off early in the second as homegrown Brian Gutiérrez snuck into the box and scored a one-timer in front home of his home fans just six miles from his hometown. The Fire then grabbed complete control as Hugo Cuypers was clinical in the box with a brace to secure the win in front of the Windy City faithful.
The Fire will have little time to celebrate as the Best-of-3 series kicks off on Sunday afternoon in Chester. The Union's lone for road match of the postseason is scheduled for Saturday, November 1st at 5:30PM ET. Should a third game be needed, Subaru Park would host the match on Saturday, November 8th.
Tickets for the first home playoff game at Subaru Park can be purchased by clicking the image below and fans should do so quickly as they are going fast!
Philadelphia Union enter the postseason after accumulating 66 points in the regular season. Under the leadership of Head Coach Bradley Carnell, who took over at the helm during the offseason, and the direction of Sporting Director Ernst Tanner, the team has maintained consistent success through the entire year, boasting the best defense in MLS with just 35 goals conceded, protecting the home fortress with 12 home wins, and making a statement on the road with a club record of eight away wins.
The Boys in Blue swept the regular season series against Chicago, with a 1-0 road win in June followed up by a 4-0 shutout at Subaru Park in late August. Against Orlando City, the Union opened their record-breaking season with a 4-2 road win in Florida where they overcame a first-half deficit. The two sides last met in April with the two teams playing to a scoreless draw.
Chicago is in the postseason for the first time since 2017 and in their first season under head coach Greg Berhalter. Chicago amassed 53 points in the regular season with many coming from their impressive 9-6-2 road form. In fact it was a road win that secured their ticket to the postseason with a resounding 5-3 win at Inter Miami CF that also aided the Union in their quest for a second Supporters' Shield.
