A cup run beckons the 2022 Philadelphia Union; It’s MLS Cup or bust

The sports landscape in Philadelphia is oversaturated right now. The Eagles are undefeated, the Phillies are three wins away from the World Series, the Sixers are a favorite in the east as their season kicked off yesterday, and the Flyers are exceeding all of their expectations in their first few games. However, Philly is 5-for-5 these days, and the number one-seeded Philadelphia Union is poised to make a run for MLS Cup!

It’s MLS Cup or bust for Union

The Union is the top seed in MLS’ eastern conference. After having a bye in round one of the playoffs, they begin their playoff journey at the eastern conference semifinal round matching up against FC Cincinnati on Thursday night. Philly is two wins away from making it to, and possibly hosting the MLS Cup final!

Philly came into the season with the thought of winning MLS Cup. Each team always sets that goal ahead of a season, but the Union showed they want to achieve their goal. They set their expectations months before the season began, prepared for the long haul, had a historic regular season, and now have a chance at redemption and glory in the 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs! It’s MLS Cup or bust for this team!

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The expectation was set before the season

The expectation was set last December. The Union was ravaged by Covid-19 and lost a closely contested eastern conference final. After being so close to playing for the Cup in 2021, Sporting Director, Ernst Tanner, and Head Coach, Jim Curtin, made their intention known. In 2022 it was MLS Cup or bust for the Philadelphia Union.

As the team came into the season there was a calmness about the side. They knew that the entire season was a marathon and not a sprint. They started off well, but Philly was drawing more than winning. As the season moved to the summer months they exploded. Blowout win after blowout win had this team competing for the Supporters Shield down the stretch. They failed to get that trophy because of a win tie-breaker going LAFC’s way. Now it’s playoff time and this historic team deserves a trophy.

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A historic 2022 season deserves a trophy

Philly broke records on their way to the number one seed in the east. They have the goalkeeper of the year, Andre Blake, and defender of the year Jakob Glesnes. Their midfield is full of dawgs who will grind the opponent down and transition into attack. The attack somewhat quietly had the best season in Union history.

While most of the national media was talking about star players going to teams like LAFC, Philly brought their players in before the season. The trio of Julian Carranza (14 goals, 9 assists), Mikael Uhre (13 goals, 6 assists), and Daniel Gazdag (22 goals, 10 assists) put up outrageous numbers and could be the key to pushing the Union’s historic season to one that ends with a trophy lift.

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Redemption and glory are staring Philly in the face

Philly fans will remember the feeling of falling just short of MLS Cup in 2021. Their team was talented enough to get there but Covid shortchanged their team and they fell short. Now is the time for redemption. The Union is the best team in the east and had the same number of points on the season as the best team in the west. If they can win two matches at home, they will make MLS Cup final.

Glory is calling this Union side. Will they be able to answer the call? If Philly can play their tenacious, and at times suffocating brand of soccer, there’s no reason why this team can’t make it to the final. Should LAFC not make it to the final as well, Philadelphia would host MLS Cup 2022 if they win two matches. It’s time, Philly is ready to be the champions of Major League Soccer!