The Philadelphia Union has a month left in their 2026 regular season, and a lot is on the line in their final five matches. Philly's season is a tale of two halves, painting a stark picture: historic lows gave way to crazy highs.
The Union picked up just one win in their first 15 matches; then came the World Cup break, and since then they've been unbeaten in 14 MLS matches, winning eight in a row dating back to the end of August. They are one of the hottest teams in MLS, and this weekend they can lock up a playoff spot and move into a top-four spot in the Eastern Conference when they take on Charlotte FC.
If anyone had said that the 2026 Philadelphia Union would make the playoffs back in mid-May, they would have been ridiculed. However, that's just where Philly sits. Even more impressive is that they could do it with four games still to play. That comes off a historic 14-game unbeaten streak in which the Union has taken 38 of a possible 42 points. Three more, and they'll clinch the 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs; here's how:
Obviously, a lot can happen in the upcoming matchday. The best bet is that Philly will continue their unbeaten streak, but will other results fall their way? Just one month ago, the hope was that the Union could make it out of the play-in game round of the playoff spots. Now, if Philly wins, they'll be amongst the true contenders in the Eastern Conference, moving as high up as fourth place if certain results go their way.
The East's top two are the best team in MLS, Nashville SC on 66 points, and the MVP's team, Inter Messi... I mean, Inter Miami on 52 points. After them are New England with 49 points, Chicago with 48, and Charlotte with 46. The Union is just outside the top five on 45 points. However, all that could change this weekend as Philly takes on Charlotte, and Chicago and New England square off. Here's how the Union could jump up to fourth place this weekend:
These results would put Philadelphia at 48 points, two points above Charlotte. Chicago's loss to New England would see the Union and the Fire tied on points (48) and wins (14), but Philly would hold the tiebreaker with a better goal difference. A win for New England would put them at 52 points, four above the Union before those two clash at Subaru Park next weekend. Before we get too far ahead of ourselves, the Union have to face a strong Charlotte FC team this weekend to make any of the above scenarios possible.
The hottest team in the City of Brotherly Love plays their next crucial match Saturday afternoon. Philadelphia Union vs. Charlotte FC is the first match of a thrilling weekend slate of MLS action. Can the Union get another three points, book passage to the 2026 playoffs, and even rise to the top four in the East against a tough Charlotte side?
If Ryan Richter's Philly are going to beat the organized, Dean Smith-led Charlotte, he will need his strikers to keep up their legendary form. Bruno Damiani (11 goals) and Milan Iloski (18 goals) have carried the Union this season, especially lately, scoring 15 of the team's last 23 goals! Of course, teenage sensation Cavan Sullivan will pull the strings in midfield; he has 21 goal contributions, the most ever by a teenager in an MLS season.
So can this tenacious Philly team keep their momentum going against playoff opposition in Charlotte? Tune in to Apple TV to find out! One last tidbit: If the Union win and get their ninth straight win, they will tie the record for most consecutive wins in an MLS season. Here's to hoping for more history in this crazy and complicated 2026 season for Philly!
