UGLY GAME. BEAUTIFUL PAYOFF. THE UNION ARE PLAYOFF-BOUND.
Side Jawn Sports | October 29, 2026
Nobody is putting Wednesday night’s Union game on at a party to get the room moving. A 0–0 draw in Nashville isn’t exactly the soccer equivalent of a fireworks show.
But a playoff spot? Yeah, that’ll get my attention.
The Union left GEODIS Park with a road point against the Supporters’ Shield winners and a postseason berth officially secured. After collecting seven points through their first 15 league matches, this team has somehow dragged itself into the playoffs. That deserves a little more noise around here.
FROM “THIS SEASON IS COOKED” TO STILL COOKING
Seven points in 15 games. Read that again. That’s the kind of start that has fans checking the calendar for when literally any other sport comes back.
Now Philadelphia has its 10th playoff appearance, and its eighth in nine seasons. Give interim coach Ryan Richter and this group credit for giving people a reason to care again.
And because soccer enjoys being a beautiful little weirdo, an old foe helped seal the deal. New England’s Carles Gil scored the winner against Red Bull New York, with that result confirming Philadelphia’s berth while the Union were at halftime.
New England helping Philly while beating a New York team? That’s a pretty solid night’s work.
A PATCHED UP ATTACK, A DEFENSE THAT SHOWED UP
Cavan Sullivan and Milan Iloski were out injured. Bruno Damiani was suspended. Richter started Malik Jakupovic alongside Ezekiel Alladoh, giving Jakupovic his first MLS start.
That’s a tough assignment, Congratulations on your opportunity, kid, now go face the Shield winners on the road.
Nashville also rotated its lineup, starting Hany Mukhtar and Sam Surridge on the bench. Let’s acknowledge that before anybody describes this as surviving 90 minutes against their full attacking arsenal.
Still, Philadelphia held Nashville without a first half shot. When Mukhtar and Surridge entered in the 58th minute, the Union kept the door closed.
Andre Blake finished with his seventh clean sheet of the season. More impressively, Philadelphia became the first MLS team to shut Nashville out at GEODIS Park this year.
That’s a road point you take.
THE CHANCE THAT HAD YOU YELLING AT THE TV
The Union had an opportunity to steal all three points in the 71st minute. Quinn Sullivan delivered a cross to Ben Bender, but Nashville goalkeeper Brian Schwake made the save.
That was the moment. In a game with so little attacking excitement, that chance felt enormous.
At the other end, Frankie Westfield and Blake helped deny Mukhtar during a stoppage-time scramble. Because apparently clinching a playoff berth without one last blood-pressure spike would have been asking too much.
THE JOB ISN’T FINISHED
Danley Jean Jacques picked up a late yellow card and will miss Saturday’s trip to FC Cincinnati through accumulation. Kickoff is October 31 at 2 p.m. ET on Apple TV.
The Union still have seeding to fight for, and the attack needs its injured players back. There’s work left.
But for one morning, enjoy this. A team that gave us plenty of reasons to write it off is heading to the postseason.
Zero goals. One point. One playoff ticket.
Punch that jawn. DOOP.
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