The Philadelphia Union are officially Major League Soccer's 2025 Supporters’ Shield winners, lifting the trophy at home for the second time in club history. Over 34 matchdays, the team has maintained the most consistent success of any team in the league, securing a club record of 20 wins and league-best 66 points.
With the shield and the top seed in hand, the team has earned home field advantage throughout the 2025 Audi MLS Cup playoffs. They’ll begin their postseason campaign on Sunday, October 26th on the riverfront – here’s a glimpse into the mindset of the players and staff as they head into the postseason.
“What am I most excited for in the playoffs? The energy. Energy from the city, energy from the fans. Just getting in that stadium, that playoff experience. I got a little bit last year in MLS NEXT Pro, and that was only half of the stadium, so I'm really looking forward to seeing what the whole stadium can do."
Frankie Westfield | Defender, Philadelphia
“It's gonna be my first time playing in the playoffs, so I'm just excited to give it my all and see if we can go all the way. The guys have been talking a lot about all the pressure we're going to have in the playoffs, especially now that we’ve finished top in the league. A lot of teams are going to be hunting us. So, the older guys have been telling me to just not fall under the pressure and enjoy it."
Olwethu Makhanya | Defender, South Africa
"It's like one of those things where, one day, when it's all said and done, you'll look back and be like, 'Man, I'm so proud of this moment!' But right now, if you think about it and get too dreamy on cloud nine, you get left behind. There's still a couple of very important games to play."
"I just see a group that's competing. I just see a hungry group with a lot of desire and a lot of mentality to not stop now, and that's what I feel. I think everyone's bought into each other. Not to the program, not to the project, I think they're bought into each other, and that's when it becomes dangerous for other teams."
Bradley Carnell | Head Coach, South Africa
“To win a Supporters’ Shield is a testament to the work, the dedication, and the commitment from all the guys on this team. From top down, ownership and coaching staff, the technical staff, and everybody who's part of this club. The fans are amazing. Supporters' Shield is great, and I'm very happy to get that silverware for the club, but we want to win this cup. I want to win MLS Cup so bad."
Alejandro Bedoya | Midfielder, New Jersey
"The last time we were in this position, when we finished first in the East, we had to go away for MLS Cup. It makes a big difference being home versus away in these games. It's great to know that the rest of this year can run through Philadelphia and it wil run through Philadelphia. To have our home fan support and the city's support too is going to be huge and extremely helpful."
Nathan Harriel | Defender, Florida
"I'm looking forward to the first whistle, and getting out there and playing in my first MLS playoff game. I'm excited to feel the atmosphere, feel the crowd, and just really get going. It's huge to play at home. Just the physical part alone, but then also the mental part, the part to be here in front of our fans. I think no one wants to come play in Chester. So, we're really excited to host all the games, and we feel really confident at home."
"We have a great veteran corps, and they're gonna be really valuable in this run. Alot of them have done this before, so we'll definitely lean on them and listen to their guidance."
Milan Iloski | Midfielder, California
"I think we're very good at home for a reason, because our fans are the best in the league. We just have more confidence at home. We have more of a swagger at home. I'm very excited to be playing in front of those guys."
"Winning the shield is obviously a great accomplishment for the players, the club, and everyone involved, but it's just kind of one of those things where you have to compartmentalize. That was obviously great. That was the the goal for all of us, pretty much, when we started the season. Now, the playoffs are just something else we're looking forward to. It's four or five games to an MLS Cup win, and that's where all the focus goes because we've got a really good team, and we know it.
Indiana Vassilev | Midfielder, Georgia
"What I hear about the playoffs is that they are very tough games. Doesn't matter who you are playing against, because you always have a winner. You may be winning 1-0 and you need to defend more, so every game is tough and it's even more important now to keep the clean sheet. Also, it's good that we clinched the Supporters' Shield so we can play at home where we feel very comfortable."
"We are a very competitive group, so even during the trainings in the week, we're still very competitive. In the game against Charlotte, even losing, you can see the reaction in the second half that we commit a lot and we work very hard even though we couldn't get the result. Even losing, I think, is something that you can take a positive part from, because now we are mad. We are angry. We are training hard again. So, the mindset, it was never a problem this group."
Bruno Damiani | Striker, Uruguay
“This feeling is something special. Who wants to let it go? I don't understand why we wouldn't want more. Let's hope we're just getting started."
Bradley Carnell | Head Coach, South Africa
