Philadelphia Union is set to play D.C. United at Audi Field this weekend, with only three matches left in the regular season. The team continues its pursuit of the Supporters’ Shield and aims for the top seed in the playoffs.
The Union recently reached 60 points for just the second time in club history, following a win against New England Revolution. This result keeps them ahead in the standings, two points clear of FC Cincinnati and three ahead of San Diego FC.
“We know what we have to do. We know the job at hand, and we know that we respondedand we had a good game against New England,” Carnell said.
“The clean sheet was really important, and I think that just brought a lot of belief and confidence back to the team by securing the clean sheet and, more importantly, also securing the three points.”
The upcoming match will be Philadelphia’s last regular-season game against a team not currently in playoff position. With several teams close together at the top of the table, each point remains significant for their trophy chances.
“The mood is for sure, playing for something to win and not trying to play to protect something to lose,” Carnell said.
“That then creates a bit of freedom. If all of a sudden, I now change the narrative from how I started the season, and have a fearful approach and fear of failure, then, then we’re all doomed to fail, right? So this is the thing for us. It’s about keeping true to who we are as a team, as a squad, regardless of how many games are left, regardless is who’s behind us we are. We know where we are as a group, so that’s very important for us to acknowledge that and embrace that.”
D.C. United is currently ranked 14th in their conference standings—just above C.F. Montreal—and has only five wins this year compared with Philadelphia’s 18 victories. Despite their record this season, D.C.’s Christian Benteke remains a threat with nine goals so far; Gabriel Pirani follows with six.
D.C. United has not won since May but managed two goals from Benteke and Jacob Murrell in their recent narrow loss against Inter Miami.
Saturday’s match features teams with contrasting goal differentials within their conference. Philadelphia will miss leading scorer Tai Baribo due to yellow card accumulation from his most recent match discipline; Frankie Westfield will also be absent as he joins the U.S. Youth National Team Under-20s World Cup squad. However, Jovan Lukic and Olwethu Makhanya return after serving suspensions.
“There’s no bad teams in the league,” Carnell said.
“These teams are all the parity in the league is incredible, and when every team’s firing on their all cylinders and their strengths, then teams are tough to beat. We’re not entitled to anything and that’s the way we approach it.”
The match begins Saturday at 7:30 p.m., available via MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
