Decision Day is almost here! The Philadelphia Union will host their final match of the regular season on Saturday, November 7th, facing Toronto FC at Subaru Park at 4pm.
MLS Decision Day is the last matchday of the regular season, deciding postseason positioning or lack thereof for every team across the league. This year’s finale will significantly impact Philly’s seeding and opponent for the playoffs – click here for tickets to support the team in their final push!
What's on the line
This year’s Decision Day slate will heavily impact Philadelphia YUnion’s postseason path. The team currently sits in 6th place with 47 points – a win against Toronto would guarantee that the Union would remain in that spot, finishing the regular season with 50 points.Â
With a draw, the Union would secure a top-seven finish and avoid the Wild Card played between the 8th and 9th seed teams. A Union loss plus wins from both Cincinnati and Columbus would force Philly into that match.
With a win or draw, the Union would finish 7th or higher, meaning that their 2026 campaign continues with Round One of the postseason following the November FIFA international break. The playoffs begin with a best-of-three first series – home field advantage for the first, and if needed, last games is awarded to the higher-seeded team in the matchup.
- 6th: Union win/draw + CIN draw/loss; OR Union loss + both CIN and CLB draw/loss.
- 7th: Union draw + CIN win; OR Union loss + exactly one of CIN or CLB wins.
- 8th: Union loss + both CIN and CLB win.
Bouncing back
After a historic 15-match unbeaten streak, the Union haven’t had a favorable end to their October calendar, pushing through a strenuous and competing stretch, but ultimately picking up their first loss under Ryan Richter’s leadership as Interim Head Coach against New England Revolution. Three days later, the team took a good midweek point from Supporters’ Shield Champions Nashville SC on the road, but left Cincinnati emptyhanded on Saturday with a Halloween loss.
As it stands
Favorably for Philly, there’s not much on the line for their upcoming opponent, Toronto FC – the Canadian side has already been eliminated from playoff contention.Â
They are currently tied for points with both New York Red Bulls and New York City FC sitting just below the playoff line. Orlando City clinched the final spot, sitting in 9th with 43.While all the Eastern Conference spots have been secured, there is still plenty of room for movement as multiple teams are within three points of each other.
Players to watch
- 26-year-old American Desginated Player Josh Sargent scored nine goals in his first year back stateside after playing in Europe for Werder Bremen and Norwich City.
- 30-year-old Hungarian forward Dániel Sallói has also hit the back of the net nine times this season and tallied 10 assists, enjoying a strong start to his time in Toronto after nearly a decade in Kansas City.
Notes to Know
- The Union enter MLS Decision Day in sixth place in the Eastern Conference with 47 points (13-12-8).
- Philadelphia has already clinched their 10th postseason appearance in club history and eighth in the last nine seasons.
- The Union have scored 62 MLS goals this season, tied with the 2024 team for the second-most in a single regular season in club history.
