Philadelphia Union Overview

On the same day that fellow countryman Olwethu Makhanya and The Union defender was selected for the Bafana Bafana World Cup squad, the 49-year-old reigning MLS coach of the year discovered his services were no longer required following a disastrous start to the current campaign that has left the club at the bottom of the table.

Bradley Carnell, recipient of the 2025 MLS Coach of the Year award, has been fired by the Philadelphia Union as part of a major revamp following the club's historically poor first half of the season. In addition, Jon Scheer has been promoted from interim to full-time Sporting Director of the club. It is unclear if former Director Ernst Tanner is still a part of the Union.

Inter Miami provided an update on Lionel Messi after the 38-year-old was substituted Sunday against the Philadelphia Union due to physical discomfort. Following further tests Monday, the club said Messi’s initial diagnosis showed “overload associated with muscle fatigue in his left hamstring,” with his return to activity dependent on his “clinical and functional progress.”

Lionel Messi and Co. remain favorites, but strong starts from Nashville, San Jose and Vancouver have the league nicely poised heading into a long break.