CHESTER, Pa. — In what feels like an eternity for some fans since the last time the Philadelphia Union played, the squad returns to Subaru Park on Sunday evening for a clash with NYCFC in the MLS Cup Eastern Conference Semifinals. The team enters the match following a three-week layoff after their 3–0 win over the Chicago Fire on November 1 in the opening round of the playoffs.
Earlier this week, news broke in an article written by Pablo Iglesias Maurer in The Guardian that raised concerns about allegations of inappropriate comments and behavior by current sporting director Ernst Tanner, leading MLS to relaunch an investigation into Tanner’s conduct. While a recent league investigation was unable to corroborate allegations involving Tanner, the relaunch resulted in Philadelphia’s sporting director being placed on administrative leave during the inquiry.
Philadelphia Union head coach Bradley Carnell addressed the situation in an opening statement during his Friday press conference.
“On a professional level, I want to say that I’ve never personally experienced anything like what’s been reported in my time with Ernst,” said Carnell. “But as an organization, we fully recognize the seriousness of the situation, and that’s as far as I’ll go to discuss the topic that’s ongoing during this investigation. So big focus for our game on Sunday against New York City, and that’s why we’re here.”
When asked how he felt the players have responded to both the news and the long break ahead of Sunday, Carnell added:
“The players have been amazing over the last three weeks—20 days, whatever it’s been. They’ve been incredible. And then obviously we were informed about the situation. But for the players on the ground and the day-to-day organizational operations, we haven’t skipped a beat.”
Historically, the Union have at times struggled coming off long layoffs—such as the 7–0 loss in Vancouver earlier this year—but this squad will hope to avoid any rust as they aim to reach their third MLS Eastern Conference Final in the last five seasons.
They face NYCFC for the third time this season. While the clubs split their regular-season meetings with 1–0 home wins, NYCFC enter the semifinals in strong form after defeating Charlotte FC two games to one in their opening-round series.
“I think each team at this stage of the playoffs is an excellent team,” Carnell said when asked about the opponent. “They’ve proven that through the whole season, and they’ve proven that during our engagements with them over the two games that we’ve played.”
“They’ve seen what the game could look like in New York, and you’ve seen what the game could look like here. Both of them were very similar, tight, cagey, not much given on either end.”
NYCFC head coach Pascal Jansen deserves significant credit in his first season in charge, guiding his side into strong form entering the postseason. His squad has compiled a 7-2-1 record across its last 10 road matches in all competitions, including wins over Charlotte, Columbus, and Cincinnati. And while Philadelphia “cracked the code,” so to speak, in their Supporters’ Shield-clinching win on October 4, Carnell knows that every team at this stage is in good form.
“Every team that’s at this stage of the tournament, there’s something going for them. They have quality, and they deservedly get to the last four of a conference,” Carnell said when asked about NYCFC’s road form. “So whether it’s been away or home, I do think obviously they could sit back a little deeper and then create some space.”
“You saw against Charlotte, two of their goals came in transition because Charlotte’s pushing, and all of a sudden there’s space in behind. So we’ll have to come up with a game plan for that.”
NYCFC may indeed sit deeper than usual because they will be missing several key players from their 3–1 win over Charlotte. Former Union midfielder Andrés Perea suffered a lower-leg fracture, and his defensive midfield partner Aiden O’Neill is suspended after picking up three yellow cards across the series.
New York will also be without leading scorer Alonso Martínez, who scored the game winning goal in 12 of the club’s 20 wins across all competitions this season, including their April victory over Philadelphia at Citi Field. Martínez suffered a torn ACL during his international duty with Costa Rica.
But as Carnell noted, there is still quality in the squad. Veteran playmaker Maxi Moralez, who has produced big playoff moments against the Union before, could play a major role if NYCFC are to be successful. Hannes Wolf and Nicolás Fernández Mercau are also players to watch, particularly Fernández Mercau, who is finding his form at the right time and is coming off a brace against Charlotte.
For the Union, Carnell did not mention any injury updates during Friday’s press conference. However, veteran midfielder Alejandro Bedoya is listed as questionable with a hamstring issue, and it remains to be seen whether he will be available Sunday.
One player who might return to the roster is Cavan Sullivan, whose U.S. squad was eliminated from the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup after a loss to Morocco in the Round of 32. Sullivan contributed to nearly every U.S. goal in the tournament, either by scoring or assisting—something Carnell praised.
“I think if you see the way Cavan put himself about—and to Cavan’s benefit, he plays up a few years and always has,” Carnell said. “Now you expect him to stand out when you play with your same age group, and I think he did that. And I think three Man of the Match performances out of his four gives an excellent scope that we’re on the right track.”
Whether Sullivan appears on Sunday remains to be seen, but Union soccer is finally back and another tightly contested match between these clubs is expected.
Tickets remain available at the time of publication. For those unable to attend, the match will be streamed on Apple TV via MLS Season Pass, with kickoff scheduled for 7:55 p.m.
Main Article Photo Courtesy of the Philadelphia Union
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