Philadelphia Union

The business end of the MLS season is upon us, and with the MLS playoffs kicking off in just under a month, every game matters. Only six sides have officially been eliminated from playoff contention going into the international break and the race for the Supporter’s Shield is very much alive. Following Match Week 32, let’s break down what every team is playing for from here on out.

MLS Playoffs Picture Going into Matchweek 33

Eastern Conference

1. Philadelphia Union: 64 Points

Remaining Opponents: Charlotte FC, Toronto FC

When a professional footballer is asked to describe their worst nightmare, the response of "having my own fans chant 'asshole' at me" would probably be considered a totally irrational fear. But that's exactly what happened to New York Red Bulls midfielder Dru Yearwood on Saturday night at Red Bull Arena while getting sent off in his team's 2-0 defeat to Philadelphia. 

In August 2019, Philadelphia Union captain and former USMNT player Alejandro Bedoya scored against D.C. United, ran to a field microphone and called on Congress for an end to gun violence. Three years later nothing has changed and Bedoya — heartbroken with the rest of the nation after Tuesday's shooting at Robb Elementary School left 21 dead — reposted his clip from 2019.

That’s the Eastern Conference final decided then, and it’ll live long in the memory as one of the most batshit crazy games in MLS playoff history from build-up to finish.  

Andre Blake stopped the first two shots of a penalty kick shootout and the No. 2 seed Philadelphia Union advanced to the Eastern Conference final for the first time with a 1-1 (2-0) result over third-seeded Nashville SC on Sunday at Chester, Pa.