The Philadelphia Union can clinch a playoff spot this weekend. With a win and some help from either Columbus Crew or Orlando City, they’re in. Imagine saying that during the World Cup break, when the club was rock bottom of MLS with just seven points through 15 games. 14 unbeaten matches later, they’re not only pushing for a playoff berth but dangerously close to home field advantage in the first round. Standing in Philadelphia’s way is Charlotte FC, the team directly above them in the Eastern Conference table.
Match Details
What: MLS Regular Season
Where: Subaru Park, Chester, Pennsylvania
When: Saturday October 17, 2:30 PM ET / 11:30 AM PT
Watch: Apple TV
Union Gunning For Home Field Advantage
It seemed impossible just a couple months ago but the Union are within reach of a top four spot in the East. After beating current fourth place Chicago Fire on Wednesday, they only sit three points back. Their next two matches are against fifth place Charlotte and third place New England. Somehow, someway, there’s a very real scenario where Philadelphia ends up as high as third in the East.
All of that is thanks to the hottest run of form in MLS history. Although St. Louis City in the West are currently on a longer unbeaten run, Philadelphia has been winning more games. The midweek victory over the Fire made it eight wins on the bounce for Ryan Richter’s side and 12 in their last 14. Regardless of what gets thrown at them, the Union seem to always have an answer. They’ve had shutout wins, comeback wins, and blowout wins. What they didn’t have much of was wins over teams towards the top of the table, but beating Chicago changed that. The Union now have the chance to leapfrog Charlotte in the standings with a win on Saturday.
At the heart of Philadelphia’s incredible streak is 17 year old Cavan Sullivan. In the second half of the season, he has arguably been the best player in all of MLS. Yes, that includes Lionel Messi. Sullivan just set the MLS record for the most goal contributions in a season by a teenager with 21. He has seven goals and 14 assists (including secondary assists) this season. Sullivan has registered at least one goal or assist in each of his last 10 matches for the Union. He’s now tied for second in the league in assists. The individual accolades and records keep coming and as a result his team are shooting up the standings. He’ll look to add to his goal contribution streak against Charlotte this weekend.
Charlotte Look To Rebound After Blown Lead Midweek
Philadelphia Union weren’t the only team with a long unbeaten run in the East. Charlotte picked up points in eight straight games starting after Leagues Cup. However, that streak was snapped just before the international break by Chicago. They got back to winning ways with a wild 3-2 comeback victory over FC Dallas last weekend, but the celebrations didn’t last long. Charlotte suffered one of their worst losses of the season on Wednesday, blowing a 1-0 lead to 13th place Columbus Crew.
That leaves Charlotte’s position in the table vulnerable. Although they can also clinch a playoff spot this weekend with a win, they would drop below the Union with a loss. Considering Philadelphia’s torrid form and rocking home crowd at Subaru Park, getting a result is a tough ask for Charlotte. Dean Smith’s men did beat the Union earlier in the season, but that was a completely different Philly team. Incidentally, Cavan Sullivan’s first MLS assist came in that match.
Charlotte’s X-factor will be their striker, Idan Toklomati. The 22 year old has three goals and an assist in his last two matches for the Crown, including a stoppage time winner against Dallas. With dazzling playmakers Pep Biel and Allan Saint-Maximin in the team, Toklomati has had no shortage of chances. He’s already matched last season’s total of 12 goals and four assists in league play and is now pushing for new career highs in both metrics. If Charlotte want any chance at a result this weekend, Toklomati will have to be at his clinical best.
Match Prediction
It’s hard to bet against Philadelphia Union right now. Although Charlotte are a good team in their own right, Philly has been an unstoppable force for the last four months. Cavan Sullivan creates chances, the strikers can’t stop scoring, and the defense has been relatively solid. Their unbeaten streak won’t be ending this Saturday.
Prediction: Philadelphia Union 3-1 Charlotte FC
Braden Hines is a writer and data analyst with a passion for U.S. Soccer. Runs American Ultras Talk on YouTube and X. Works for Carolina Ascent FC and Syracuse Men’s Soccer.
