Philadelphia Union head coach Bradley Carnell insisted there is no fear of failure among his squad, heading into the final three games of their regular season.
The Union enter the weekend with a two-point lead over Eastern Conference rivals Cincinnati and a three-point edge over Western Conference leaders San Diego.
But the biggest threat to their Supporters’ Shield aspirations could be Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami, who are five points adrift in the East with two matches in hand.
The Union returned to winning ways last time out with a 1-0 win over the New England Revolution, following their 7-0 thrashing by the Vancouver Whitecaps on September 13.
Philadelphia have achieved their success via a risk-taking, high-press philosophy that usually results in a high volume of chances at both ends, though recent matches have suggested they are running out of steam.
Carnell, however, insisted the attitude within the dressing room remains proactive, saying: “The mood is, for sure, playing for something to win and not trying to play to protect something to lose.
“That then creates a bit of freedom within the squad. If I now, all of a sudden, change the narrative from how I started the season and have a fearful approach and a fear of failure, then the guys are all doomed to fail.
“For us, it’s about keeping true to who we are as a squad, regardless of how many games are left and regardless of who is behind us. We know where we are as a group.
“It’s important for us to acknowledge that and embrace that. I have never felt a sense of anxiety in the team. I think that has been what is so special about working with this group.”
#DOOP | @IBX pic.twitter.com/Ajnp7rQ3Y3
— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) September 25, 2025
Philadelphia travel to Audi Field this weekend to take on a DC United side that have been improving since Rene Weiler was appointed as their head coach in July.
The team had gone four league games without defeat for the first time since the opening four games of the 2025 campaign, before a 3-2 loss to Inter Miami last time out.
While already eliminated from the possibility of reaching the playoffs, Weiler revealed his style of play is slowly starting to be integrated into his squad as they look ahead to next year.
“Giving up is no alternative,” he said. “So, you always have to try to do your best after a bad situation as well. So, when you are down, don’t give up. Go forward. Think positive.
“They have less freedom without the ball, but maybe they have a little bit more freedom with the ball offensively. At the end, when you have the ball, you have to create something.
“You have to take some risks, and you have to be determined. We don’t know how it feels. We are better than the team was before, and that is why we are working together.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
DC United – Aaron Herrera
In what has been a disappointing season for DC, Herrera has been a shining light for the team, and he will be looking to finish the campaign on a high.
He contributed his fourth assist of the campaign last time out, and his 10th since the start of the 2024 season. His 10 assists are tied for the fourth-most by an MLS defender in that time.
Philadelphia Union – Milan Iloski
Iloski recorded his fourth goal contribution in his sixth regular-season game with Philadelphia last time out, and will be out to make another telling contribution here.
Indeed, he is the first Union player since Julian Carranza in 2022, and the sixth all-time, to record at least four goal contributions in his first six MLS games with the franchise.
MATCH PREDICTION: PHILADELPHIA UNION WIN
Philadelphia earned their 21st regular-season win against DC in April, the Union’s second-most league wins against any single opponent (23 versus New England Revolution). They have also won 14 of the last 18 regular-season meetings (drawn three, lost one).
Carnell’s team also reached the 60-point mark on Saturday – the first team to do so this season – in their 31st game after a win over New England.
They are the only MLS team over the last five seasons to record 60 or more points in their first 31 games twice (63 in 2022).
DC, meanwhile, are looking to give their supporters something to cheer at Audi Field, having not won a home match since May; a winless stretch of nine MLS games (drawn five, lost four).
It is the club’s longest such streak, with their only being six winless home runs of 10+ games in MLS; the last one coming in 2021 (Cincinnati, 12 games).
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
DC United – 23.4%
Draw – 22.5%
Philadelphia Union – 54%
