The Philadelphia Union is gearing up for its 2023 preseason. The players are all posting on their Instagram stories about heading home to Philly to get ready. With that, the club announced its annual trip to Clearwater Florida, and seven preseason matches to prepare for a hectic 2023 season!
Union’s preseason schedule announced
The Union will start their preseason camp this coming Monday, Jan. 9, in Chester PA. The boys are coming back to start their preparations for the hectic and hopefully successful season. After a week’s worth of fitness and training, Philadelphia will travel to Clearwater Florida for the rest of their preseason! Here’s a look at Philly’s preseason schedule:
| Date | Event |
| Jan. 7 | Preseason Training In-market |
| Jan. 16 | Team Departs for Clearwater, Fla. |
| Jan. 21, 12 p.m. ET | Scrimmage vs. opponent TBA (IMG Academy, Bradenton) |
| Jan. 24, 4 p.m. ET | Scrimmage vs. St. Louis CITY SC (Florida Gulf Coast University, Ft. Myers) |
| Jan. 27, 11 a.m. ET | Scrimmage vs. Minnesota United FC (University of Central Florida, Orlando) |
| Feb. 5, 12 p.m. ET | Scrimmage vs. New England Revolution (Premier Sports Campus, Sarasota) |
| Feb. 10, 12 p.m. ET | Scrimmage vs. FC Cincinnati (Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex, Clearwater) |
| Feb. 14, 2 p.m. ET | Scrimmage vs. opponent TBA (Al Lang Stadium, St. Pete) |
| Feb. 18, 11 a.m. ET | Scrimmage vs. Colorado Rapids (ChampionsGate Sports Complex, Orlando) |
| Feb. 18 | Team Returns to Market |
| Feb. 25, 7:30 p.m. ET | Start of the 2023 MLS Season (Home opener vs. Columbus Crew) |
The team will call Clearwater home for a month between Jan. 16 and Feb. 18. In that month the team will be focusing on coming together and pushing to be successful in four major competitions (MLS, CCL, US Open Cup, Leagues Cup). The goal has been set to play 50+ games this year. To do this, the club will need to be advance far in each competition. To prepare, the team has set up seven matches to be played in just under a month in the preseason!
Philly set to play seven matches in 29 days
There’s no better test for fitness and quality on the pitch like an actual game. This could be why Philly has scheduled seven matches to be played in a month’s worth of time ahead of their most busy season of play ever. There will be times this year where Philly will have to play five, six, or even seven matches in a month’s worth of time. Preparing for this in January and February could be just what is needed to get this club ready for constant fixtures.
The Union are set to play seven matches, five of which are against MLS teams, and two are still to be determined. The club has said that most matches will be behind closed doors, but their matcha against FC Cincinnati on Feb. 10 will be open to the public. There’s no word on any streaming information just yet, but I’d assume a few of these matches will be viewable for fans. If any should be streamed check www.PhiladelphiaUnion.com for that link!
The Philadelphia Union are preparing for their most frenzied season yet. The preparations for that season begin on Monday. Will this team be able to prepare by playing matches and get up to speed to come running out of the gate on Feb. 25? Only time will tell!
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