Image Credit: Philadelphia Union
After a disappointing 1-0 loss to the Red Bulls at Sports Illustrated Stadium, Bradley Carnell’s Philadelphia Union bounced back with an emphatic 4-0 win against the Chicago Fire at Subaru Park on Saturday night to reclaim the top spot in both the Eastern Conference and MLS Supporters’ Shield race.
Goals from Baribo, Wagner, Danley, and Iloski, and a clean sheet from backup keeper Andrew Rick, gave Blue and Gold their most significant margin of victory under Bradley Carnell. It marked the first time they’ve scored four goals since putting four past Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC in the US Open Cup on May 21st.
Now, the Union will travel to an energetic TQL Stadium in what promises to be a big turning point in not only deciding the Eastern Conference playoff positions but also who will end Decision Day lifting the MLS Supporters’ Shield trophy on October 18th.
Image Credit: Philadelphia Union
How to watch Union vs FC Cincinnati
When: Saturday, August 30th @ 7:30 pm
Where: TQL Stadium – Cincinnati, OH
Where to Watch: MLS Season Pass, Apple TV+
Philadelphia Union vs FC Cincinnati Betting Odds
Philadelphia Union: +165
FC Cincinnati: +135
Draw: +255
Preview By The Numbers
Baribo – 16
Uhre, Damiani – 4
Danley, Vassilev – 2
Mihailovic – 9
Navarro – 8
Harris, Yapi – 4
Wagner – 10
Q. Sullivan – 9
Uhre, Westfield, Vassilev – 4
Evander – 16
Denkey – 13
Valenzuela – 5
Head To Head
It’s not quite a rivalry yet, but these two teams seem not to like each other, and they keep finding themselves pinned against one another in big games over recent years. In 16 matches all time, the Philadelphia Union holds the advantage with an 8W-3D-5L record and has outscored FCC by a total of 28 to 18 across those 16 meetings.
The Union started the tale between the two with seven games unbeaten between 2019 and 2022 and outscored FCC by a total of 12 to 2 during that span. Since then, and after former Union Assistant Coach Pat Noonan joined FCC, they’ve tilted the scale a bit, going 5W-1D-3L in the previous nine meetings between the two.
In week 2 of this season, the Philadelphia Union beat FC Cincinnati at home 4-1, a result that set the tone for the early part of the season and put Bradley Carnell’s Philadelphia Union on notice with the rest of Major League Soccer.
The Union defeated FC Cincinnati in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals in 2022 on the club’s road to their first MLS Cup Finals appearance, but had the favor returned to them the following year when FCC knocked the Blue and Gold out in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals with a controversial 1-0 result. The following Summer, the Union would knock FCC out of the Leagues Cup Round of 16 with a 4-2 win on the road.
Image Credit: Philadelphia Union
FC Cincinnati’s Season So Far
FC Cincinnati has been one of the stronger teams in the East all season long after starting the campaign with a 9W-1D-3L record through the first 13 games of 2025. They did have a small cold streak back in May, where they went four games without a win, but followed that up with wins in 6 of the next 7 games. Recently, with the Supporters Shield race coming down to the final stretch, FCC have had a few disappointing results including two 1-0 losses to NYCFC and Charlotte FC.
FCC Cincinnati failed to make it out of the Leagues Cup group stage this summer after losing to Chivas and FC Juárez (on pens). It also elected not to compete in the US Open Cup during the 2025 season. Pat Noonan’s side went out in the CONCACAF Champions League Round of 16 after losing to two Liga MX’s Tigres 4-2 on aggregate.
Image Credit: Philadelphia Union
Predicted Starting XI
Bradley Carnell met with the media on Thursday afternoon and gave an injury update on the squad before traveling to FCC this weekend. Andre Blake, who has made his way back on the field and is moving around, will likely still miss out this weekend. Indiana Vassilev, who is making his way back from concussion protocol and has rejoined practice, is listed as Questionable for the match, per Carnell.
With the international break coming up after this game, I’d take a “if it’s not broke, don’t fix it” approach. The one change is Nate Harriel at RB ahead of his USMNT call-up.
Formation: 4-2-2-2
GK: Rick
RB: Harriel, CB: Glesnes, CB: Makhanya, LB: Wagner
CDM: Lukic, CDM: Danley
CAM: Q. Sullivan, CAM: Iloski
ST: Baribo, ST: Damiani
Image Credit: Philadelphia Union
Supporters Shield Update
With just a few weeks left in the MLS Season, the Supporters’ Shield race is really heating up, and every point left on the table will have consequences for those hoping to lift the trophy come Decision Day.
The Union comes into the weekend as the Shield leaders with 54 points after 28 games, but have San Diego FC and FC Cincinnati lurking in the shadows, which makes Saturday’s match at TQL Stadium that much more crucial.
Don’t count out the likes of Vancouver Whitecaps, who recently integrated Thomas Müller into their squad and have a game in hand over the teams above them, and of course, Inter Miami, who, despite being 9 points off the Supporters’ Shield lead, still have nine games and 27 points left on the table this season.
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