Union
Believe it or not, the Philadelphia Union took home the Supporters’ Shield just last season. Of course, the Supporters’ Shield is awarded to the MLS team that amasses the most points in the regular season.
Unfortunately, the Union has not earned a single regular-season point since lifting the shield after a 1-0 home victory over NYCFC. A game that occurred on October 4th.
No Positive Spin
For this Union team, there is no way to spin it in a positive manner. Although the club may still be in contention for a trophy. The Union may win the MLS wooden spoon. Of course, the wooden spoon is an unofficial “trophy” bestowed upon the MLS team with the least amount of points in a season.
After 5 MLS games, the Union is the only team in the league still without a point. Now, factor in that sporting director Ernst Tanner is not only still employed by the Union, but was given a slap on the wrist by MLS. Tanner was accused of discriminatory behavior at multiple points in his tenure with the Union. Ultimately, Tanner is suspended without pay until June 1st.
During the winter transfer window, the Union would transfer out just about every game-changing player on the roster. In return, the Union spent its “largest incoming transfer” bid in club history on Ezekiel Alladoh. In Alladoh’s short tenure, he has been red-carded in his first MLS game and was left out of the squad last Saturday for being late to midweek training.
Ultimately, the Union has no attacking presence, no defensive thoughts, and Bradley Carnell doesn’t have a starting 11. In every match played, Carnell has not put out the same starting 11 more than once. Simply put, the Union can’t score, can’t defend, and can’t find a lifeline in a match.
While Cavan Sullivan has been the one bright spot, Carnell let slip in an interview that Manchester City has the final say on Sullivan’s playing time. The Union cannot do anything right at the moment.
Where Can the Union Go Now?
Now, the Union is just 5 games into a long MLS season. Despite having 0 points, odds still say the Union has almost a 50% chance of making the playoffs. Of course, MLS has over half the league make the playoffs, so that figure doesn’t mean much.
If the Union cannot correct course, they are heading down never-before-seen territory. No team in MLS history has ever won the Supporters’ Shield and then been handed the wooden spoon the season after. On this current road, the Union is staring down the wrong side of history.
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Categorized:Union
