David vs Goliath… Or Is It?

On paper, it’s the same old story: the gritty, homegrown Union versus global powerhouse Inter Miami, led by Messi, Suárez, Busquets, and Alba. But this isn’t the David from bedtime stories, and Goliath isn’t quite invincible.

Miami mirrors Argentina’s 2022 World Cup-winning blueprint: an aging but brilliant core surrounded by players who run through walls to support them. Guys like Redondo and Yannick Bright fill the DePaul and Paredes roles, sacrificing and pressing to make sure the legends can work their magic.

Philly is built differently. No glam, no stardust. Just a relentless system fueled by belief, toughness, and culture. The Union doesn’t win headlines. They win duels, second balls, and fans’ respect. 

Miami wants to dance. Philly wants to drag you through the mud. 

Growing Pains

The Union looked like the better team for large portions of the match: 17 shots, 7 on target, a crossbar rattled, and a crowd that made Subaru Park feel like a fortress. This wasn’t a game drawn because Miami was better. It was a game that slipped late, and that makes it sting more.

The Columbus match felt all too similar – a strong performance, undone by a moment or two when the pressure rose and composure dropped. Still, these are the kinds of games that forge growth. The difference between holding on and slipping is often inches, not miles.

Rick’s mistake was the most glaring, considering the lengths he went to defend Messi’s free kick, but he still couldn’t save it. He will know that, having been that far over, he has to make the stop.  

The less obvious mistakes came from the Union’s willingness to constantly clear the ball rather than hold on to it. Messi and Suarez don’t want to press anymore, which is exactly why a brave character and leader was needed late on. It takes a lot of courage to build under pressure, but this would have drastically changed the outcome of the match. If Miami doesn’t have the ball, how are they going to score? This could perhaps be a chink in the armor when it comes to the Union’s play style. A more possession-focused team would have been comfortable holding onto the ball and killing the game, whereas the young, energetic Union squad panicked. 

The closing moments mirrored the recent Champions League semifinal second leg between Inter and Barça, where Inter capitalized on Barça’s youthfulness. Rather than seeing the game out, young players like Lamine Yamal lost focus, and it hurt them. It’s the same script, and against elite players, one bad clearance or panicked touch can tilt everything.

The Union has young talent everywhere. Makanya is a force athletically, he just needs reps and polish. Rick is brave and sharp, but sometimes you need an older voice behind you to settle the storm. That’s part of the process. He has ultimately filled the role as backup brilliantly and come up with some major stops in recent matches. His youthfulness showed today, but the future for him shines bright. 

The Shield Is Nice… But We Know the Goal

If you ask any Philly fan, they’ll tell you the Supporters’ Shield is nice, but it’s not the one that matters. The real prize is MLS Cup, and all you have to do is get to the dance.

Currently, the Union is top of the East, proving the system is working. The spine is strong. The chemistry is real. The final step is learning to manage the big moments – not just the first 85 minutes, but the last five when the nerves kick in and the legs get heavy.

And that will come, because this team is young, hungry, and dangerous. 

If We Dive Into the Market, What Do We Want?

This team doesn’t need anything close to an overhaul. It’s already one of the most cohesive and difficult-to-beat sides in MLS, but a pair of thoughtful additions could push it over the top.

Center back is the first area. Glesnes is a rock. Makanya has massive upside. But adding a veteran version of Makanya, perhaps someone with similar athleticism but a calming presence, could help balance out the youth. A player in front of Rick, like Glesnes, who’s seen it all, could accelerate his growth and give the back line a bit more control late in games.

Then there’s the attack. Philly generates overloads all the time in the form of 3v2s and 4v3s, but too often the final pass is missing. All three forwards are direct and gritty, but there isn’t a natural link-up player who slows the game down and picks the killer ball. A wide 10 with vision and pace would give Vassilev more freedom and take some pressure off Quinn Sullivan, who’s already doing so much.

The bench is deeper than it’s been in years, which deserves credit. Danley is already looking like a brilliant find. Lukic has settled in brilliantly. The flexibility in the five-back shape, with Harriel tucking inside and Westfield pushing high, gives coach Carnell real tactical options.

That said, the youth movement, while exciting, can be a rollercoaster. Fans don’t always love watching an entire bench made up of 18 and 19-year-olds, especially in high-stakes matches. It would be nice to have a couple more proven pieces to call on late. Just a little extra security when the margins get razor thin.

The Final Word

The Union is right where they want to be – at the top, with everything still in front of them. The culture is intact. The system works. The next step is sharpening the edge.

This isn’t about proving they belong anymore. It’s about proving they can finish.

And if a piece or two joins this summer? That final push might just land.