Must See Home Matches in 2025 for the Philadelphia Union

The upcoming 2025 MLS season is fast approaching and so is the start of a new era for the Philadelphia Union. The Union finished the season in 12th place in the Eastern Conference with 37 points, failing to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2017. This upcoming season will have some new faces on the pitch and a new head coach, Bradley Carnell to lead them. Here are my top 5 must see home matches for the Boys in Blue in 2025.

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Home Opener vs FC Cincinnati

Philadelphia vs Cincinnati is always a must-see TV event. The past 10 years have been with Jim Curtin leading the way for Philly. This year will be the new Union Head Coach, Bradley Carnell, first home match at Subaru Park. What a club to have to square off against on March 1st. Last season the Union lost to Cincy in both regular season matchups. FC Cincinnati ended the Union’s 2024 season and hopes to make the playoffs. Union did get the best of Cincinnati in Leagues Cup play 4-2 behind Tai Baribo’s brace. It will be interesting to see how Coach Carnell handles the Philly faithful after such a woeful 2024 campaign.

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DC United at Home

The Philadelphia Union will host DC United on April 26th at 4:30 pm for another edition of the battle of I-95. I like to call it the Colonial Cup. DC United will be looking to end their winless streak of 12 matches to the Union this 2025 MLS season. In 2024 the Union went down to the nation’s capital and went home with a draw 2-2. Jack McGlynn had a stellar goal off that magnificent left foot of his to help keep the streak alive vs DC. The second matchup was not as close. It was too much Gazdag as he had a brace for the Union to push the streak to 12 games. MLS 2024 MVP finalist Christian Benteke will look to get DC United a win to end the winless streak on April 26th.

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LA Galaxy Come to Philly

May 14th will mark just the 14th time the Union and Galaxy play each other. This, a midweek clash of West Coast vs East Coast clubs who had very different endings to 2024. LA Galaxy of course raised the MLS Cup after defeating the New York Red Bulls 2-1. Last time these clubs met, Uhre leveled things up back in 2023 before LA took over and won 3-1. Will this be the game phenom Cavan Sullivan makes his mark on the league by having an incredible match vs the defending champs? He and the rest of the club will look to grab their 2nd win ever against the LA Galaxy.

The Messi Show

Besides that it’s my birthday weekend, this should be a great game as the Union will host the Lionel Messi led Inter Miami club on May 24th. Since Messi arrived in MLS the Union haven’t been able to get in the winning column against them. Last season Mikael Uhre got the Union off to fast starts, getting goals in the 3rd minute in their first matchup. Then in their second matchup scoring in the 1st minute. Unfortunately, these fast goals resulted in both losses. Could this be the last time Philly fans get to see the greatest soccer player to play the game? If so hopefully the Philly fans can give Messi one last loud “BOOOO” chant on his way out.

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Jack Elliott Returns to Subaru Park

In what may be one of the more emotional must see home matches, former Philadelphia Union star defenseman Jack Elliott will make his return to Subaru Park as a member of the Chicago Fire on August 23rd. Elliott was drafted by the Union in 2017 and played alongside Jakob Glesnes during the Union’s top defensive years. Elliott scored 14 goals in his 270 appearances during his time in Philly and the Union fans hope he doesn’t score any against them. Centerback, Ian Glavinovich, was signed by the Union in a transfer with Newell’s Old Boys to replace Elliott. I expect a loud applause from the Philly faithful when Jack is announced but after that, it should be loud “BOOs”.

Other Great Matches

Those are my top 5 must see home matches for the Union in this 2025 MLS campaign. Some others that didn’t make the list but were close. Sunday, March 16th the Union host Nashville for a 2:00 pm match on national television. On May 10th Columbus Crew comes to Philly and that match always brings big energy crowds. “Who wears red to a Union game”? I think we all know how that ends. The New York Red Bulls come to Subaru Park on July 12th, for another edition of, in what in my opinion is the best rivalry in the MLS. The 2025 MLS season is less than 30 days away and I’m looking forward to seeing the fans fill Subaru Park this season.

DOOP
Photo Credit: Philadelphia Union