We know that the Philadelphia Union are headed to the 2023 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs for the sixth-straight season in a row but we're taking a look at where the Boys in Blue could slot in a congested Eastern Conference table.
The team has one regular season game remaining; they’ll take on the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium on Saturday, October 21st for a monumental Decision Day matchup. The game is a must-win, as its result will impact the team’s seeding for the playoffs.
Why does it matter?
Decision Day is of paramount importance to the Philadelphia Union as it’ll decide home field advantage for the postseason. The team has one regular season game remaining; they’ll take on the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium on Saturday, October 21st for a monumental Decision Day matchup. The game is a must-win, as its result directly impact the team’s seeding for the playoffs.
This year, the quarterfinal round of the playoffs will begin with a three-game series over the course of three weeks, and the team with the higher seeding will earn home field advantage, hosting two of the three games.
From there, the higher seed will continue to host through the remaining single-elimination rounds.
Philadelphia Union won 10 home games this season, only recording one loss on the Delaware Riverfront. The home field environment at Subaru Park is unrivaled, and one that Curtin and his squad don’t take for granted.
“You don't want to go to Columbus or Atlanta twice or New England twice or Orlando twice, or Nashville twice. That just makes it really hard. So, top four is priority,” Curtin said.
As it stands
Philadelphia Union are in third place in the Eastern Conference after a scoreless draw against Nashville SC 0-0 at Subaru Park on October 8th. The team is unable to move up the standings regardless of their next result because FC Cincinnati and Orlando City SC have a firm hold on the first and second seed with 68 and 60 points respectively.
Head Coach Jim Curtin’s squad has compiled 55 points so far but both Columbus Crew and New England could chase them down on Decision Day. Columbus has 54 points and they’re set to play a desperate CF Montreal team that presently sits on the cusp of playoff contention in 8th place.
While the Union are not playing this weekend, their seeding could have been impacted by New England’s road match against Nashville SC but the hosts won by a 3-2 margin.
No. 3 Seed
Simply put, the Union control their own destiny for third place. In order to keep their ranking, Philadelphia Union must do this:
- Defeat New England on decision day – if they win, no one can pass them.
- If they draw against New England, they must rely on a Columbus Crew loss or tie.
No. 4 Seed
The Union have a few different ways they could slip down a single position but still maintain homefield advantage in the new postseason tournament that features a best-of-three format. This is how they’d end up fourth:
- Union draw AND Columbus wins
- Columbus loses AND New England defeats the Union by a three-goal margin
No. 5 Seed
The Union could fall two spots if:
- Columbus gets a win or draw against Montreal AND New England wins by three or more goals against the Union.
