After winning Supporters' Shield, Philadelphia Union's Bradley Carnell named 2025 MLS Coach of the Year

Philadelphia entered the season with the third-lowest payroll in MLS at $13.4 million, but that didn’t stop the team from imposing its will early on. Under Carnell’s leadership, the Union thrived despite making no major offseason additions.

The Union, who missed last season's playoffs, had the biggest turnaround on points in MLS this season. They finished with a league-best 66 points, 29 more than last year.

Tai Baribo was the team's top scorer with 18 goals, but Carnell stressed a holistic approach to the attack this season. Eighteen different players combined for the team's 57 goals. 

The 48-year-old wasn't afraid to rotate, either, featuring 29 players in 25 different starting lineups over the 2025 campaign. 

As good as the team's attack was, it was even better on defense. Philly's efforts on that front included two MLS Best XI players, Jakob Glesnes and Kai Wagner. Glesnes was a runner-up for defensive player of the year. Last season, Philadelphia were ninth in goals conceded with 55.

Carnell and the Union now await their opponent for the Eastern Conference semifinals.