Photo by Jack Verdeur courtesy of the Philadelphia Union

Who: Philadelphia Union (1st place, 66 points, 20-6-7) vs. Charlotte FC (4th place, 56 points, 18-2-3)
What: 2025 MLS Regular Season Finale (Decision Day)
Where: Bank of America Stadium
When: Saturday, October 18th, 6 PM
Watch: MLS on Apple TV, Radio: 97.5 FM
Whistle: Ref: Tori Penso, AR1: Kathryn Nesbitt, AR2: Jason White, 4th: Calin Radosav, VAR: Kevin Stott, AVAR: Mike Kampmeinert

It’s Decision Day in Major League Soccer and while the Philadelphia Union’s position is locked in (1st place, if you didn’t know), the rest of the Eastern Conference could fall in any number of ways. The Boys in Blue will face off with a formidable, if somewhat inconsistent, Charlotte FC side that is gunning for a top four finish. Will Carnell rotate or will the Union look to cement their best ever regular season in franchise history?

Scouting report: Charlotte FC (W-L-L-W-W)

Despite a rough stretch in the middle of the season which included 5 straight loses and a seasonal low position of 10th place, The Crown ripped off 9 straight wins between July 12th and September 13th to launch themselves back into a top 4 spot. Since then, they have only managed one win in their last three, and it was a somewhat unconvincing 1-0 result against a 9-man DC United. 

Regardless, Charlotte have proven themselves a top team in the league this season. Former Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha has been an effective threat with 9 goals and 5 assists, however The Crown’s main man has been Pep Biel. The Spanish attacking midfielder is on-loan from Greek giants Olympiacos and has managed 10 goals and 12 assists. But, he has missed the last two contests with a knee tendon issue, and manager Dean Smith recently confirmed that he will miss the rest of the season. 

In the match against DC, Nikola Petkovic started at the 10, assisting the game winner to Zaha. However, the young Serbian international has now suffered a thigh injury and is questionable for this contest. Smith will have some shuffling to do in the Charlotte midfield.

Tactically, Charlotte normally utilizes a pragmatic 4-2-3-1 formation and looks to score goals on the counter as opposed to build-up from outright possession. It will be interesting to see how the team’s style compares, as the Union also favor attacking on the fast break. The last time both sides met, it ended in a dramatic victory for Philadelphia, with a late Markus Anderson winner after Jesus Bueno’s terrific volley had opened the scoring.

• Injury report: Pep Biel (OUT – Knee), Nikola Petkovic (QUESTIONABLE – Thigh)
• Suspended: N/a
• International duty: Nimfasha Berchimas (U-17 World Cup)

Scouting report: Philadelphia Union (W-W-W-L-W)

The Union have a chance to claim their best regular season in franchise history. Philly has already clinched their ‘most wins in a single season’. Just one more win at Charlotte would see them with 69 points (nice) and 2.03 Points Per Game That would be more total points than the 2022 season (67), and 1/100th less PPG than the 2020 Shield winning season*.  

*Shortened by COVID, the Union won the shield with 47 points (2.04 PPG) from 23 games

Despite the loss of rising star midfielder Quinn Sullivan to an ACL injury early into the match against DC United, the Boys in Blue were able to rebound from that blow. They put 6 past DC (who played with 11 men the entire time by the way), and then went on to claim the Supporters’ Shield with a 1-0 win over rivals NYCFC at home. Quite the way to respond to adversity. 

With the return of Frankie Westfield from international duty (Frankie helped the USA U-20’s reach the Quarter-Finals of their World Cup), the Union are practically at full strength – save for Q. Sullivan’s injury absence, Cavan Sullivan’s callup to the USA U-17 World Cup roster, and a sore hammy keeping Jeremy Rafanello out. 

While, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Bradley Carnell rotate some players in the lineup, the Union haven’t played a game in 2 weeks. That was their rest, now they need to be sharp and ready. Expect a near full strength lineup, except for some of the players who traveled for the recent international break (Danley Jean-Jacques, Tai Baribo, Andre Bake, Frankie Westfield, and Jesús Bueno). Tonight’s game is a chance to stake a claim as one of the top 5 shield winners in MLS history with the win (as pointed out by PSP alum and legend Kevin Kinkead). 

• Injury report: Quinn Sullivan (OUT – Knee), Jeremy Rafanello (OUT – Hamstring)
• Suspended: N/a
• International duty: Cavan Sullivan (U-17 World Cup)

Key matchup

Union Strikers vs. Charlotte Center-Backs

Andrew Privett and Tim Ream are an imposing presence on The Crown backline. Bruno Damiani will need all his physical tools – and some restraint – in order to stay as effective as he’s been recently. Whether it’s Baribo or Uhre starting alongside the Uruguayan, the forwards will need to keep their press organized against the experienced Ream. Privett’s defensive tenacity would make for a good physical contest with Baribo but he may be vulnerable to Uhre’s speed. 

Player to watch: Tai Baribo

The Union’s leading goalscorer (16) hasn’t been on the scoresheet since the August 23rd win over Chicago. Uhre has seemingly worked himself back into the starting lineup. But, Baribo now has a chance to make a statement right before the playoffs start. Keep your eyes on the prolific forward, whether he starts or comes on as a sub.

Prediction: Charlotte FC 1-2 Philadelphia Union

Zaha scores but Mikael Uhre continues his hot streak to grab the win.