Philadelphia Union
The Philadelphia Union sold their foundation and haven’t recovered
The Philadelphia Union find themselves dwelling in the basement of MLS so far this season with just one win in 14 regular season matches. Saturday night served as the club’s latest whiff at a chance for 3 points and a much needed home win.
The club managed by Bradley Carnell has earned just seven points with only one match remaining prior to the summer World Cup break. The Union have managed just one win, four draws, and nine losses to go along with a -10 goal differential.. It’s not exactly the start you’d expect from a club that won the MLS Supporter’s Shield last season.
Instead, what we may be witnessing is the one aspect of the Union’s ‘moneyball’ tactics that leaves them vulnerable to failure.
When you’re right, you’re a genius. When you’re wrong, you’re shortsighted and foolish.
In 2026 so far, the Union front office and Carnell seem foolish.
Sure, there have been signs of progress in recent weeks. And yes, the long-term injury to a key contributor like Quinn Sullivan has surely hampered the club’s ability to create meaningful offensive chances. But that injury was well known and documented.
The off-season signings have not fully panned out just yet.
As a quick recap, the club decided to part ways with MLS All-Star and arguably the most impactful left-back in MLS the last few seasons in Kai Wagner to make a move to Europe in the English Championship. The move felt practical and expected. Wagner had seemingly reached his ceiling in MLS, and the Union have long embraced helping players reach their next destination.
To replace Wagner, the Union stumbled during during the winter transfer window. They did not have a true replacement for the beginning of the season. The replacement they have brought in is a right-footed left back, Phillipe Ndinga. He’s played just 213 minutes on five starts and two substitution appearances. Ndinga may still be attempting to acclimate to the Union’s system. His role has been filled by natural right backs Nate Harriel and Frankie Westfield for now.
A significant portion of goals conceded in the early stretch of the season came down the left side of the pitch, a key indicator that opposing teams were attempting to exploit the well-known vacancy that Wagner left behind.
The Union also decided to let an MLS Golden Boot contender in forward Tai Baribo walk at the end of the season. He landed with DC United and has been a vital piece in their attack as they continue to contend for a playoff spot.
Baribo was due a pay raise, a well-earned increase. But instead of locking him down on a multi-year deal, the Union decided to take that money and bank on the future with a completely unknown younger option in Alladoh.
They forked out a club-record transfer fee, and so far the return simply hasn’t been there.
That’s not to say that it may turn out as a successful signing in the future. But in terms of the here and now, we haven’t seen glimpses of sustained success the likes of Baribo provided weekly.
Lastly, the club figured it best to not pay Baribo and a fellow MLS All-Star in center back Jakob Glesnes. Glesnes was due an extension and a well-earned pay bump. But similar to Baribo, the Union decided to forego paying that deserved increase and securing Glesnes for a few more years in hopes of landing once more on the transfer market.
Insert Japhet Sery Larsen and Geiner Martinez to pair with an inexperienced Olwethyu Makhanya. Larsen has proven effective but recently hampered by a shoulder separation injury. Martinez lacks time and in-game experience alongside Makhanya to be fully effective.
It’s a future partnership that could flourish, but in terms of success now as direct replacements for Glesnes, it’s been a miss so far.
In each case, the Union chose financial flexibility and future upside over retaining proven MLS production.
The Union currently have a 5% chance of making it up to the ninth and final MLS Cup Playoff spot by season’s end.
In recent weeks, Carnell has mentioned the team is ‘fragile’ and potentially suffering from some of the mental side-effects that accompany a one-win campaign to date.
That ‘here we go again’ mindset may be more impactful than otherwise noted to date. The team goes down a goal or two and they start panicking. Their inability to get out in front has been a significant hurdle that they’ve yet to cross.
Last year, the Union were outscoring their opponents 27 to 14 through their first 14 regular season matches. They earned 28 points during that stretch, losing just four times. So far in 2026, the Union have just seven points, one win, and four draws to go along with nine losses and a -10 goal differential. They’ve found the back of the net just 14 times.
Quite a stark difference.
And so now where do they go?
The much talked about Sporting Director Ernst Tanner is set to return on June 1st. Is that a good thing? I don’t think so.
And do we know if the locker room has fully bought into Carnell during this skid? Is a change needed?
There may not be a ‘right’ answer. And a change in leadership at both the front office and manager level may not be a ‘wrong’ answer.
As for now, all that matters is securing a result or more importantly a win this weekend prior to the World Cup break. If they can’t get it done, we may start to see answers to the above questions.
