Through the first 15 matches of the 2026 season, the Union was the worst team in MLS, taking seven points from a possible 45. During the World Cup break, changes came on and off the field. Now, Philadelphia is undefeated in its last seven matches, taking 17 points from a possible 21. As a result, the Union is now battling for a playoff spot with two months left in the season.
Philly currently sits in 12th place in the East with 24 points. The difference between that spot and the final playoff spot, ninth place, is just one point; however, the difference between 12th and seventh is only four points. The Union has momentum on their side right now, but they’ll have to fight to move up. Here’s a look at the battle ahead and the teams involved.
Cavan Sullivan (middle) celebrates his tying goal vs Austin FC.
Image Provided / Philadelphia Union
Teams fighting for the playoffs in the East
The six teams battling in the Eastern Conference for the final playoff spots are NYCFC, New York Red Bulls, Orlando City, Toronto FC, DC United, and the Philadelphia Union. All are separated by four points or fewer, and all have 12 games still to play. It’s likely this group of six will be duking it out for three playoff spots. Here’s a look at the standings:
- 7th – NYCFC – 28 pts
- 8th – Red Bulls – 26 pts
- 9th – Orlando – 25 pts
- 10th – Toronto – 25 pts
- 11th – DC – 25 pts
- 12th – Union – 24 pts
These six teams will likely flip-flop a bunch as the season progresses; however, late-season momentum will likely tell the tale of who makes the playoffs and who goes home. Right now, the Union has the momentum, as they are the only team of the six that has not lost an MLS match since returning from the World Cup. Their September slate of matches will go a long way in determining whether they stay in this playoff hunt or fall off.
Philadelphia Union midfielder Indiana Vassilev (19) celebrates a goal by forward Milan Iloski (10) against the New York Red Bulls during the first half at Sports Illustrated Stadium.
Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Philadelphia Union September matches
As we enter September, the Union prepare for five matches in the next four weeks. Three are home games against teams in the East, while two are away matches vs teams in the Western Conference. Here’s what the upcoming schedule for the Union looks like:
- Union vs Montreal | Sat., Sept. 5 | 7:30 pm
- Union vs Cincinnati | Wed., Sept. 9 | 7:30 pm
- Union @ San Diego | Sun., Sept. 13 | 9 pm
- Union @ Kansas City | Sat., Sept. 19 | 8:30 pm
- Union vs Orlando | Sat., Sept. 26 | 7:30 pm
It kicks off with a matchup vs Montreal, who are below the Union in the standings. Then the Union plays midweek against Cincinnati in one of three matchups vs. playoff teams in September. Philly fly cross-country to San Diego, the other team currently a playoff place, for Sunday night soccer. The last two weeks of the month see the Union face the worst team in MLS, Sporting Kansas City, then come home to play Orlando in a huge matchup of East playoff hopefuls.
Can the Union stay undefeated for these matches, or will they lose their first MLS game of the Ryan Richter era in this new month?
Bruno Damiani (9) scored twice with assists from both Sullivan brothers in Philadelphia Union’s 3-2 comeback win.
Image Provided / Philadelphia Union
Other matches for Union fans to keep an eye on
Of course, the other teams in the race for the playoffs in the East will also be playing matches galore. Here’s a cheat sheet for Union fans of each team’s games for the month of September to keep an eye on:
NYCFC
- NYCFC vs Nashville | Fri., Sept. 4 | 7:30 pm
- NYCFC vs New England | Wed., Sept. 9 | 8 pm
- NYCFC @ Salt Lake | Sat., Sept. 12 | 9:30 pm
- NYCFC vs Red Bulls | Fri., Sept. 18 | 7:30 pm
- NYCFC @ Atlanta | Sat., Sept. 26 | 7:30 pm
New York Red Bulls
- Red Bulls @ Seattle | Sat., Sept. 5 | 8:30 pm
- Red Bulls @ LAFC | Wed., Sept. 9 | 10:30 pm
- Red Bulls @ Columbus | Sat., Sept. 12 | 7:30 pm
- Red Bulls @ NYCFC | Fri., Sept. 18 | 7:30 pm
- Red Bulls vs St. Louis | Sat., Sept. 26 | 7:30 pm
Orlando City
- Orlando vs San Diego | Sat., Sept. 5 | 7:30 pm
- Orlando @ Atlanta | Wed., Sept. 9 | 7:30 pm
- Orlando vs Toronto | Sat., Sept. 12 | 7:30 pm
- Orlando @ New England | Sat., Sept. 19 | 7:30 pm
- Orlando @ Union | Sat., Sept. 26 | 7:30 pm
Toronto FC
- Toronto vs Chicago | Sat., Sept. 5 | 7:30 pm
- Toronto vs Nashville | Wed., Sept. 9 | 7:30 pm
- Toronto @ Orlando | Sat., Sept. 12 | 7:30 pm
- Toronto @ St. Louis | Sat., Sept. 19 | 8:30 pm
- Toronto @ Nashville | Sat., Sept. 26 | 8:30 pm
DC United
- DC @ Cincinnati | Sat., Sept. 5 | 7:30 pm
- DC vs Columbus | Wed., Sept. 9 | 7:30 pm
- DC vs Atlanta | Sat., Sept. 12 | 7:30 pm
- DC vs Charlotte | Sat., Sept. 19 | 7:30 pm
- DC @ Vancouver | Sat., Sept. 26 | 10:30 pm