The Philadelphia Union officially clinched its spot in the 2026 MLS Playoffs on Wednesday night! The official word came at halftime of their eventual 0-0 draw with Supporters' Shield winners Nashville SC. The New England Revolution's 3-2 win over the New York Red Bulls clinched a spot for Philly; former Union player Daniel Gazdag scored the game-winner, no less. After a harsh start to the season and the resurgence it took to get here, Philadelphia will compete for the MLS Cup in November, but who will the Union face, and what seed will they be?
If the MLS playoffs started today, the Union would be the sixth seed and play a three-game series against Inter Miami. Philly would be the lower seed and would get only one of the three possible games at home. Philly would be at a clear disadvantage in this series, and with two regular-season matches left, they still have time to change their standing.
Philly travels to Cincinnati this weekend before a decision-day clash with Toronto at home on the final day. The outcome of these matches will clearly indicate where the Union will finish and who they will face. Here are the current standings for playoff teams in the East.
The Union has a shot, now more of a long shot, to move up to fourth in the East and claim a bit of home-field advantage in the playoffs. Philadelphia trails fifth-place Charlotte by three points and fourth-place Chicago by five. To move up to either spot, the Union will need to win their last two matches and hope the two above them drop points.
To move to fifth as soon as this weekend, the Union needs a win at Cincinnati and for Charlotte to fall vs. Orlando. Other scenarios take us into decision day for the fifth seed, but jumping to fourth is a bit more straightforward, if not unlikely.
For Philly to get fourth place in the East, they will need to take all six points from their last two matches and hope that Chicago loses both of their last games at Colorado and vs. Columbus. Strange things have happened in MLS, but this seems like a stretch now.
So where will the Union finish in a topsy-turvy year that will result in playoff matches? We will have to watch on Apple TV to find out. One thing is for certain: injuries and suspensions over the last two matches halted some of Philly's momentum; getting back to healthy and avoiding silly cards will be key to any possible championship run!
