Philadelphia Union Set to Face Chicago Fire in MLS Playoffs

CHESTER, Pennsylvania – The Philadelphia Union will kick off their 2025 postseason this Sunday against the Chicago Fire at Subaru Park, hoping to leverage their home-field advantage in the first round of the MLS Playoffs.

The Union, who finished first in the Eastern Conference, earned the Supporters’ Shield for the second time in club history, securing home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. They closed the regular season with 66 points, thanks to a strong defensive record that limited their opponents to just 35 goals.

Head coach Bradley Carnell has emphasized a disciplined approach, utilizing compact defense and quick transitions. Key players such as Daniel Gazdag, Julián Carranza, and Mikael Uhre are positioned to lead the Union’s balanced attack.

The Chicago Fire, seeded eighth, come into the match with renewed confidence after a successful late-season surge that earned them a playoff spot. Under the guidance of first-year head coach Gregg Berhalter, the Fire defeated Orlando City 3-1 in the Eastern Conference Wild Card match, marking their first playoff victory since 2009.

Chicago’s forward Hugo Cuypers will be vital in leading the Fire’s offensive strategy, backed by a young defense anchored by Chris Brady. The Fire are looking to upset the Union and advance further in the playoffs, having performed well in their last five regular-season matches.

Subaru Park has proven to be a fortress for Philadelphia, with only one loss at home throughout the regular season, making them formidable opponents. The match is set to start at 5:30 p.m. EST and will be broadcast on FOX Sports and Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass.

The winner of this match will advance to the Eastern Conference Semifinals, as the Union continue their quest for the first MLS Cup title in the club’s history.