Union Take First Place at International Break

It’s only been four weeks into the MLS season, but the Philadelphia Union is showing they’ll be a strong side in 2022. After the first month of play, Philly has three wins and a draw; taking 10 points from a possible 12. This record sees them in sole possession of first place in the eastern conference at an early-season international break.

Union in First Place in the east

The Union now has a week off for a FIFA international window that will see many nations compete for spots in this November’s Men’s World Cup. The Union is hot. Their unbeaten start to the season sees them on a three-game win streak. Over their four games, they’ve scored seven goals and only allowed two.

Philly is one of only three teams in MLS with 10 points and is two goals scored away from being the best team out of all 28. While it’s early in the season, it’s easy to see why this team is at the top of the standings.

A strong team ethos

The Union’s biggest strength is the team’s identity. They will play as a narrow side that does not want much possession of the ball at all. Look to the Union’s last win where they had 27% of possession but took advantage of their chances to win 2-0 over NYCFC.

Union get first-ever win at Yankee Stadium

This is what the team is; one that is able to let the opposition have the ball, and press them into making mistakes and pouncing when those counter-attacking chances come. The Union’s players are set up to make the most of this success with an MVP candidate keeper, a legit defense, a never-ceasing pressing midfield, and goal-hungry strikers. Everyone has bought in, and it paying dividends early in 2022.

Players stepping up to the challange

When you look at the Union’s players in 2022, you will see major contributions from players that did not contribute much last year. Players like Cory Burke who has scored two goals through fours games in his spot-starts at striker. Add his goals and veteran captain Alejandro Bedoya who also has two goals, and you’re seeing goal scoring from players that don’t always put the ball in the back of the net.

Hungarian number 10 Daniel Gazdag has almost been with the Union for a colander year. He’s starting to catch fire in 2022. Now that he is fully acclimated to this crazy league, he has scored in three straight games to be the teams leading scorer so far.

The backline is better than ever and this includes 20-year-old right-back Nate Harriel. Harriel took the starting spot in week two after a poor performance from Oliver Mbaizo, and he’s not letting go of the spot anytime soon. For all intents and purposes, he’s played three perfect games at that position to help the Union’s defense lock down their opponents. Now come a week to train as a team, and get ready for what will be more grueling months to come.

Taking it Day by Day; a conversation with Union Homegrown Nate Harriel

What’s to come?

The Union return to the field in April. They’ll play back-to-back home games against Charlotte and Columbus, go on the road to Toronto, then finish the month at home again vs Montreal. All of these matches are against conference opponents and present a huge opportunity for the Union to continue their dominance over the rest of the east.

May brings some real challenges with four road matches, two of which to the west coast (LAFC & Portland) and two against top teams from last year (Nashville and New England.) Philly also play two home games in May against Red Bulls and Inter Miami. The possibility of a slump could come just before the dog days of summer.

No matter what happens in the coming months, the Union is off to its best start in franchise history in 2022. They are looking like a true force to be reckoned with. The hunger to come back from last year’s COVID-plagued end seems to be strong with this team!