Articles written by: Tim Jones

Still learning soccer after nearly five decades. A southwestern Ohio buckeye transplanted to Chester County. Used to teach history, enjoys new ideas, sometimes bakes bread, is a sports fan, and loves apparently unconnected connections.

Analysis / Union

 The current Supporters’ Shield competition and a related speculation

Photo Ryan McElroy Inter Miami’s 5-3 loss Tuesday night to Chicago Fire FC changed the Philadelphia Union’s chances of winning the 2025 Supporters’ Shield. Philadelphia no longer must win out. Words and a chart follow. Were Philadelphia to earn four more points with a win and a draw, they would […]

Commentary

Three points: C Sullivan, Westfield, & the Shield

Three points on Monday night. What if City group were to move Cavan Sullivan? Westfield’s scores at his World Cup, and The Supporters’ Shield race.

Analysis / Union

Philadelphia Union “Maximum points” chart

A “max points” chart for MLS’s eastern conference enables discovery of the upper and lower limits of possible playoff seeding.

Match Reports / Union II

Match report: Toronto FC II 1 – 2 Philadelphia Union II

Union II came from behind to defeat Toronto FC II for the third time this season, secure at least one home playoff game, and keep the pressure on NY Red Bull II for first place in the eastern conference of MLS NEXT Pro.

Analysis / Union II

Union II’s “Maximum possible points”

A “max pts” chart brings MLS NEXT Pro’s eastern conference playoff picture into as much focus as is currently possible.

Match Reports / Union II

Match report: Columbus Crew 2 1 – 3 Philadelphia Union II

Union II have regained second place in the Eastern Conference with three games to play.

Union / Union Academy / Union II

“Identity Camps” and Union call ups

Union callups for the September international window, including a new evaluation event focused on US youth team pipelines.

Match Reports / Union II

Match report: FC Cincinnati 2 1- 2 Philadelphia Union II

Tim Jones recaps Sunday’s Union II victory over FC Cincinnati 2.

Match Reports / Union II

Match report: Philadelphia Union II 2 (7) – (8) 2 Toronto FC II

Photo Kevin Barrett Dislaying a coaching master class of how to contest a superior opponent with discipline, teamwork, and attitude, Toronto FC II head coach Gianni Cimini’s  once again youthful side tied Philadelphia Union II in regulation 2-2 Wednesday night and won the extra point in the subsequent penalty kick […]

Match Reports / Union II

Match Report: Chicago Fire FC II 2-0 Philadelphia Union II

Union II lost to Chicago in Bridgeview, IL 2-0, continuing to emphasize that playing Bradley Carnell’s system well but without Cavan Sullivan, David Vazquez, CJ Olney, and in this match Neil Pierre does not necessarily produce success.