Photo courtesy of Ron Soliman
The Philadelphia Union cemented their place atop Major League Soccer with a 1–0 victory over New York City FC at Subaru Park, securing the 2025 Supporters’ Shield. Mikael Uhre’s first-half strike proved the difference, as Philadelphia held off a persistent NYCFC side to claim their 20th win of the season — a new club record — and secured the Eastern Conference’s No. 1 seed in the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs.
First Half
From the opening whistle, the Union played with urgency and intent, creating four early chances within the first 11 minutes. Bruno Damiani and Milan Iloski helped drive the attack, pressing high and forcing NYCFC into uncomfortable positions. Still, the visitors looked dangerous on the break. Alonso Martínez and Hannes Wolf both tested Philadelphia’s back line, with Wolf drawing a sharp save from Blake in the 20th minute.
As the half wore on, the match grew physical, with Danley Jean Jacques and Jakob Glesnes both shown yellow cards for challenges in midfield. Despite NYCFC controlling more of the ball, the Union stayed patient and looked to strike when space opened up. Their persistence paid off in the 40th minute when Jovan Lukic threaded a pass into Mikael Uhre on the right side of the box. Uhre took a composed touch and fired low past former Union keeper Matt Freese to make it 1–0.
Second Half
The second half opened with the same competitive energy, as NYCFC pushed forward in search of an equalizer. The Union, meanwhile, looked to maintain control and manage the tempo. Bruno Damiani picked up a yellow card early in the half, prompting head coach Bradley Carnell to adjust his side. In the 58th minute, he replaced Uhre with Tai Baribo to refresh the attack, and later introduced Jesús Bueno, Olivier Mbaizo, and Alejandro Bedoya to reinforce the midfield and back line.
As the minutes ticked away, New York City increased the pressure, sending crosses and long balls into the box. Yet Philadelphia’s defense remained resolute. Andre Blake, calm and commanding in goal, dealt confidently with everything that came his way.
Three Points
- Brick Wall Blake (& Co.): Facing an NYCFC side that dominated possession and pushed late for an equalizer, Blake and the Union’s defensive line stayed unbreakable. The veteran keeper’s sharp stop on Hannes Wolf in the first half and his commanding presence down the stretch preserved the shutout.
- Depth & Discipline: Carnell’s bench made the difference; Baribo’s energy, Bueno’s grit, Bedoya’s leadership all helped the Union close out a tense game. For 90 minutes, the Union showcased their ability to manage momentum, maintain structure, and stay composed through physical play.
- Uhre Strikes Gold: Uhre’s 40th minute goal was pure composure; a clean finish after a clever setup from Jovan Lukic. In a match where chances were limited, the Dane’s precision made all the difference.
Lineups
Philadelphia Union (4-4-2): Andre Blake, Jakob Glesnes, Nathan Harriel, Kai Wagner, Olwethu Makhanya, Jovan Lukic, Indiana Vassilev (Alejandro Bedoya – 81’), Danley Jean Jacques, Milan Iloski (Olivier Mbaizo – 81’), Mikael Uhre (Tai Baribo – 58’), Bruno Damiani (Jesus Bueno – 73’)
Unused Substitutes: Andrew Rick, Neil Pierre, Chris Donovan, Ben Bender, Cavan Sullivan
NYCFC (5-4-1): Matt Freese, Thiago Martins, Justin Haak, Raul Gustavo, Kevin O’Toole (Aiden O’Neill – HT), Tayvon Gray (Mitja Ilenic – 59’), Maxi Moralez (Maximo Carrizo – 87’), Andreas Perea, Nicolas Fernandez, Hannes Wolf (Julian Fernandez – 78’), Alonso Martinez (Agustin Ojeda – 59’)
Unused Substitutes: Seymour Reid, Strahinja Tanasijevic, Jonathan Shore, Tomas Romero
Scoring Summary:
PHI: Mikael Uhre (Jovan Lukic) – 40’
Disciplinary Summary:
PHI: Danley Jean Jacques (Yellow – Foul) – 19’
NYCFC: Kevin O’Toole (Yellow – Poor Sportsmanship) – 34’
PHI: Jakob Glesnes (Yellow – Foul) – 36’
PHI: Bruno Damiani (Yellow – Foul) – 55′
Oh my oh my oh my. Voice. Gone. Hands. Red. What a night. What a season. Flipped off NYC bus as they left.
For us, it obviously means No. 1 seed for the playoffs plus CCL again.
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Due to the imbalanced scheduling, I’ve always ranked Supporters Shield below championship trophies including tournaments, but silverware of any kind is certainly better than nothing. Given low expectations after last year and our miserly owner, our journeymen and youth products have produced beyond expectations to put it kindly. Kudos to them.
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What bugs me again is ownership. The shield presentation at least gave the crowd (self included) the chance to boo Sugarman.
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Our club has done so well on youth development and spotting unappreciated talent that we really could win MLS Cup or CCC if it just kicked in for an aged global killer like Muller who was reportedly interested in us before Vancouver, but he won’t spend on that.
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We don’t need to totally buy success like others given our development program strength. It’s just that Sugarman is denying us the Promised Land by not going the extra mile for a key difference maker who can also educate.the rest in training as a twofer.
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The shield gives Sugarman the false argument that his cheapness works by other methods. He basically argued that tonight with the shield presentation.
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It’s unfair to fans,.and the players alike who want not just ust the glory but the opportunity that championships on their CV offer in a fleeting career.
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Upside…like a lottery, you can’t win if you’re not there. Top seed obviously helps. Same for making CCL for marquee international matches plus a shot at CWC.
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Question for the forum. What would you recommend for the dead rubber against Charlotte? It’s not a dead rubber for them given playoff qualifying and seeding. We have the international break beforehand. We don’t want injuries, but also don’t want cold feet from lack of play, and shaping playoff seeding matters.
The booing at the trophy ceremony felt too harsh to me. Despite what we may want from ownership as far as spending, we literally could not have asked them to finish higher in the standings this year. What’s there to boo about?
The players were duly and deservedly cheered. They earned it despite Sugarman.
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The owner is a parasite who lets them and us down on full potential. Sugarman is not a sympathetic character. He bought at the right time and is cashing in. No grudge there. The grudge is so should the players and fans who have endowed him a secured future for himself and his inheritance.
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He needs to be a Lurie, which is not inconsistent with personal success.
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We will not win championships until he does as others who do so do.
I agree with Mike, that was not the appropriate time to boo, it was a time to celebrate.
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And despite the unbalanced schedule, this has to rank higher than the Open Cup, especially now that the top teams aren’t even allowed to play. And even MLS Cup is somewhat of a crapshoot since it is a bunch of one offs.
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Regarding the game against Charlotte, I think you want to play some of your top players, otherwise it’s 3 weeks between games. Give the night off to guys like Blake and Danley who are likely to be playing during the international break and don’t have anyone push through injuries or anything.
Disagree. Sugarman is a bum. I’m glad so bbn many booed. His speech was lame. Boooooo, go fly a helicopter, Jay.
Sugarman: cringe.
Congratulations to the staff and players.
Didn’t think they had it in them. They’ve looked all but dead for a month.
This one is far more valid than 2020-and 20 wins is nothing to sneeze at.
For it to rank as best in class though, it must cross the final hurdle. I just don’t believe they have the firepower to do so.
Congrats on the season.
There are 30 teams in the league and over a full season of 34 games you are the best team in the league.
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In every other soccer culture THIS is the standard of excellence. Playoffs by their very nature invite chance, happenstance and an array of possibilities. I appreciate in the US there is a playoff system. It is unique. Nothing about that takes away from this accomplishment. It is a trophy of merit. Earned.
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You are the best team in MLS. I do not always approve of certain things but it is yours. Go forth. Boldly. Well done.
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The road to MLS Cup is through Philadelphia.
Our system in not the same as elsewhere. We don’t play regular season ‘home and away’ against every team. The nation is too big for that, hence the East-West dynamic with a random few against West teams. Even the choice few are different than whar other East teams play. The SS is sort of East Champ Plus, not an MLS championship.
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Teams that win championships have said as much. It’s championships that truly matter. That’s not saying this isn’t a notable accomplishment. It gets us No 1 seed plus entry into CCC. That’s the BFD a stepping stone chance for a championship hampionship.
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IMO, we need to aim for championships, and not let Sugarman off the hook for it. The players and fans deserve a no half measures chance at that by getting us over the hump with key purchases. He’s squandering the full potential.
MLS has clearly overexpanded to have 30 teams. That being said, winning the east is winning the league this year given how much stronger the east is. Columbus is 9th in the east, but their points would put them 5th in the west.
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If my quick calculations are correct, in interconference play, the east has 39 wins, 24 losses, and 23 draws with 4 games remaining.
I have to say that last night was a hell of a lot louder in the stadium than when they won the shield in 2020. It was also a lot more nerve wracking, especially when it looked like NYCFC had tied it up, only to see the linesman’s flag raised. (And the Union management needs to pay attention to the flag before setting off fireworks when they think they’ve scored.)
The Ultras got the band back together and were loud as hell. They led the entire Soob in what seemed like 10 minutes of “Go Blue and Gold” to close out the night as loud as the building has ever been.
The celebration was awsome, they Brought Holden’s kit to the party and I wept.
I am thrilled with the victory last night and the season in general. The team exceeded expectations. Smart additions like Lukic and Danley and then the late season pick up of Iloski are a huge credit to Tanner. I was a big Jose Martinez fan, but the Lukic/Danley pairing have filled that gap with athleticism and more offense. Iloaki has been a huge gift, especially with Q Sullivan out. The Shield is a real trophy and needs to be celebrated that way.
As for MLS Cup, this is where the lack of star power is likely to hurt. This short, four game run to the finish line will likely be determined by one or two world class players, of which we have none. I am completely sure that the Union will give all of the effort that we all expect, but in the end, I do think a Messi or Muller or Son will be the difference maker. I hope I am wrong, but this seems to be the magic ingredient to winning an MLS Cup.