Union

Union Win Again, Lead Supporters’ Shield Race with 11 Games Left

By Kevin Kinkead

Published: Jul 17th, 2025 · 10:36 AM EDT

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After a two-game losing skid ended their 13-game unbeaten run, the Union are humming once again with a pair of wins against Red Bull and Montreal:

Oui took three points! 🫡#DOOP | @PennMedicine pic.twitter.com/FZqAarr45d

— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) July 17, 2025

It wasn’t an instant classic, this time taking out last-place Montreal with a scrappy clean-up goal and a wonderful set piece banger, but they get the job done, as they have for most of this season. They are now on 46 points through 23 games, and lead Major League Soccer with 11 matches remaining.

At the risk of jinxing it all to hell, the Union have just as much of a chance to win the Supporters Shield as anyone. Here’s their schedule to finish MLS play:

• at Houston
• vs. Colorado
• vs. Toronto
• at Red Bull
• vs. Chicago
• at Cincy
• (international break)
• at Vancouver
• vs. New England
• at D.C.
• vs. NYC
• (international break)
• at Charlotte

Houston, DC, Toronto, New England, and Chicago are all below the playoff line. Colorado, Charlotte, Red Bull, and NYC are mid-table teams. If they can keep this up through the end of August, the two-game stretch of Cincinnati and Vancouver will likely decide the Shield. That is the toughest test remaining on here, with Cincy one point behind the Union and right on their heels, then a break for an international window, followed by a trip to British Columbia to play the second-best team in the west.

The Union do not play in the Leagues Cup this season, and the only thing they have to worry about besides domestic play is the rescheduled U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal on August 13th, and possibly the semifinal and final if they advance. Otherwise, they can put everything into the Shield.

What’s more is that Cincy still has to play Nashville, and another game against Miami, and Nashville has San Diego and Miami on the slate. Lionel Messi and company have three games in hand, but are currently eight points behind the Union, so barring some incredible win streak down the stretch, they’re probably gonna need the Union drop some points along the way. Miami has Seattle at home in addition to those Cincy and Nashville games.

Doop.