Realistic Expectations for the 2023 Philadelphia Union

After missing out on Major League Soccer’s two highest honors by the smallest of margins last season, the plan for Jim Curtin’s side in 2023 is simple: win it all. However, with likely 50+ matches this season, it is crucial for supporters of the club to be realistic for what this team can achieve.

From Jim Curtin’s comments and past trends of this team, there are some indicators of what the club will prioritize this season. Without further introduction, here are what I believe to be the realistic expectations for the Philadelphia Union this season.

MLS Regular Season + Playoffs

Without a doubt, Curtin will prioritize the league campaign for the majority of the year. After missing out on the Supporters’ Shield by means of only a questionable tiebreaker, and failing to win MLS Cup by just as slim a margin, the only step forward in domestic play for the Union is adding an MLS Cup to the trophy cabinet. While most of the Union faithful would likely settle with one of these two titles, LAFC’s 2022 double should have Philadelphia fans hopeful.

The Union are the clear front-runner atop the Eastern Conference, and will likely be within contention for the regular season title. Although Concacaf Champions League is often an obstacle for Shield contenders, many of the other front-runners, such as LAFC, Austin FC, and Orlando City SC, will face the same struggle. After the demise of the Boys in Blue on road soil in
last year’s final, I expect a strong push for the Shield in 2023. Expect the Union to repeat their 2020 triumph, or at least come very close.

When it comes to the MLS Cup Playoffs, in whatever strange format they arrive in, home-field advantage and depth are imperative. With additional games this postseason and a deeper, stronger, revenge-hungry Union side, it is hard to see another team emerging from the East. If they can carry over the expected regular season success, I would be surprised if the league’s
championship fails to include Philadelphia again.

Concacaf Champions League

The magical nights that the Union provided during their 2021 Champions League run will not be forgotten soon by many, and after a rather frustrating exit in the Semifinals, the urge to best that run is prominent within the club. After all, the Champions League is exactly what the name suggests, the step up from domestic success. However, the major obstacle of travel and fixture congestion loom over most MLS sides that partake in the tournament each year.

With 34 chances to gain points in MLS, defeating El Salavador’s Alianza FC should be a priority to open the 2023 season. With a Quarterfinal matchup against struggling Atlas FC from Mexico most likely to occur, I can easily see the Union matching their success in 2021. However, whether I am just too ruined by the trauma that LAFC has put me through in the past 4 months, or I simply can not reasonably pick against the current Tigres and Pachuca sides, I do not see the Union following in the footsteps of Seattle and claiming continental glory.

Champions League is so often dominated by odd factors, like weather, travel, and ultimately Concacaf chaos, so picking a winner this far out is hard. My expectation is that the Union suffer defeat either in the Semifinal or Final, but find success in the early rounds.

U.S. Open Cup

Well, the word realistic is in the title for a reason, and the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is why. Much like we saw last season, the ability to succeed in this tournament is often determined by luck. Drawing an away fixture across the country on 48 hours of rest is not quite a recipe for a title. How the Union fare in this competition will almost entirely depend on the draw that they are
granted. A road test against strong opposition and Jim Curtin will likely treat the match as a training session again. However, a comfortable match-up at home, and the Union could always open some eyes.

Regardless of how far they advance, the cruel MLS schedule will likely take center stage after the Champions League ends, and the Union will not push too hard for the oldest trophy in domestic soccer. I simply have no expectation for the club to pursue the U.S. Open Cup any further than scraping a win or two.

Leagues Cup

Finally, the only tournament that anyone can talk about! While the 3 automatic Concacaf Champions League berths are tempting, many MLS managers have hinted at a lack of interest in the new tournament. While the Union will be heavily favored to advance to the knockout rounds of the competition, it is almost certainly going to be a chance for players to get irregular minutes.

Much like the Open Cup, Leagues Cup is a very tough tournament to predict. Despite this, I just cannot see a team this laser-focused on MLS and CCL dedicating monumental effort into a competition that is yet to be taken seriously. If the team is struggling domestically in July, maybe this changes, but for now, I do not expect much from the Boys in Blue in Leagues Cup.

The priority for the 2023 Philadelphia Union is simple, and that is to conquer MLS. While Champions League will likely dominate the opening weeks, and hopefully months, of the season, the summer and fall months will be strictly about avenging the legendary 2022 side that came so very close to the double. With that being said, here are my final expectations for this season’s Philadelphia Union:

MLS Regular Season: 1st in East, 1st-3rd Overall
MLS Cup Playoffs: MLS Cup Champions
Concacaf Champions League: Semifinal Exit
U.S. Open Cup: Round of 16 Exit (Union enter in Round of 32)
Leagues Cup: Quarterfinal Exit