MLS · Eastern Conference · Chester, Pennsylvania, US · Subaru Park
Philadelphia Union
Gritty, homegrown, and built to outlast you - the Philadelphia Union channeled the city's blue-collar DNA into a player development machine that turned a modest budget and a riverfront stadium into one of the most consistently excellent operations in MLS, proving you don't need to outspend the league if you can out-think it.
2010–2017
Building the Foundation
A slow start in the City of Brotherly Love
Philadelphia's entry into MLS in 2010 was accompanied by the opening of PPL Park (later Subaru Park) in Chester, Pennsylvania. The 18,500-seat stadium, situated along the Delaware River south of Philadelphia, gave the Union a beautiful home but one that was geographically disconnected from the city center. The location would be a persistent challenge in building a broader fanbase.
The early Union teams struggled to find consistency. The club cycled through coaches - Peter Nowak, John Hackworth, and Jim Curtin - and rarely threatened for playoff positions. The highlight of the early era was a 2014 U.S. Open Cup final appearance, which ended in a loss to the Seattle Sounders. The results were frustrating, but the front office was quietly laying the groundwork for what would become one of MLS's most impressive development pipelines.
The Sons of Ben, the Union's dedicated supporter group, maintained their energy through the lean years. Named after Benjamin Franklin, the group had actually been founded before the team existed, helping to lobby for MLS expansion to Philadelphia. Their unwavering support during the difficult early years earned them recognition as one of the most authentic supporter cultures in the league.
Key Facts
- Joined MLS in 2010 with PPL Park (now Subaru Park) as their home
- Sons of Ben supporter group was founded before the club existed
- Multiple coaching changes in the first five seasons
- Reached the 2014 U.S. Open Cup final, losing to Seattle
2018–Present
The Jim Curtin Revolution
Homegrown talent and a development-first model
Jim Curtin, who took over as head coach in 2014, proved to be the right leader for the Union's long-term vision. Under Curtin and sporting director Ernst Tanner, the Union committed fully to a development-first model that prioritized their academy and homegrown players over expensive Designated Player signings. The results took time to materialize, but when they did, they were remarkable.
The Union's academy became the most productive in MLS. Brenden Aaronson broke through as a teenager and earned a move to Red Bull Salzburg and then Leeds United. Mark McKenzie transferred to Belgian club Genk. Alejandro Bedoya provided experienced leadership. And Andre Blake, the Jamaican goalkeeper, established himself as one of the best in MLS history, winning the MLS Goalkeeper of the Year award multiple times.
The 2020 Supporters' Shield was the first major trophy in club history, and the 2022 season was the breakthrough campaign. The Union dominated the Eastern Conference, won the Supporters' Shield again, and reached MLS Cup - where they lost a heartbreaking final to LAFC on penalties after Gareth Bale's late equalizer. The 2022 final loss was devastating, but it confirmed that the Union's model could produce a team capable of competing for the ultimate prize.
Key Facts
- Jim Curtin became MLS's longest-tenured active head coach
- Academy produced Brenden Aaronson, Mark McKenzie, and other European exports
- Won the Supporters' Shield in 2020 and 2022
- Reached the 2022 MLS Cup final, losing to LAFC on penalties