2020 Philadelphia Union season
The 2020 Philadelphia Union season was the club's eleventh season in Major League Soccer, the top flight of American soccer. The club's season began on February 29, 2020 and was scheduled on end in October or November 2020, depending on their regular season performance. On March 12, 2020, MLS suspended the season due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Originally planned to be a 30-day suspension, the league remained suspended until July 9, 2020, when competition resumed with the MLS is Back Tournament. The tournament ran through August 11, 2020, with the remainder of the season, under a truncated format, continued through November 8, 2020.
2020 season | |||
---|---|---|---|
Owner | Jay Sugarman | ||
Head coach | Jim Curtin | ||
Stadium | Talen Energy Stadium (Capacity: 18,500) | ||
MLS | Conference: 1st Overall: 1st | ||
MLS Cup Playoffs | First round | ||
U.S. Open Cup | Canceled | ||
MLS is Back Tournament | Semi-finals | ||
Leagues Cup | Canceled | ||
Top goalscorer | League: Kacper Przybyłko Sergio Santos (8 each) All: Sergio Santos (11) | ||
Average home league attendance | 2,775 | ||
Biggest win | PHI 5–0 TOR (Oct. 24) | ||
Biggest defeat | DAL 2–0 PHI (Feb. 29) | ||
| |||
The 2020 season saw Philadelphia win their first major trophy in club history, by capturing the Supporters' Shield for the best regular season record. Philadelphia finished 14–4–5, averaging 2.04 points per game. Outside of MLS regular season play, the club was eliminated in the Conference Quarterfinals of the 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs, losing to New England Revolution. In the MLS is Back Tournament, Philadelphia reached the semifinals of the tournament before losing to eventual champions, Portland Timbers. The Union were also slated to participate the 2020 Leagues Cup (similar concept to the UEFA Europa League), and the 2020 U.S. Open Cup. Both competitions though were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Roster
- As of October 10, 2020[1]
Transfers
In
Date | No. | Pos. | Player | Transferred from | Fee/Notes | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
December 23, 2019 | 8 | MF | ![]() | ![]() | $325,000 | [2] |
January 1, 2020 | 13 | MF | ![]() | ![]() | Homegrown signing | [3] |
14 | FW | ![]() | ![]() | Homegrown signing | [4] | |
January 10, 2020 | 35 | MF | ![]() | ![]() | $2,000,000; DP signing | [5] |
January 19, 2020 | 24 | MF | ![]() | ![]() | Undisclosed fee; TAM signing | [6] |
January 31, 2020 | 5 | DF | ![]() | ![]() | Undisclosed fee; TAM signing | [7] |
Out
Date | No. | Pos. | Player | Transferred To | Fee/Notes | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
November 20, 2019 | 6 | MF | ![]() | ![]() | End of contract | [8][9] |
10 | MF | ![]() | ![]() | Declined contract option | [8][10] | |
16 | DF | ![]() | Declined contract option | [8] | ||
26 | DF | ![]() | ![]() | $300,000 TAM (2020) $300,000 GAM (2021) $150,000 GAM (2021)[A] | [11] | |
33 | DF | ![]() | Declined contract option | [8] | ||
November 26, 2019 | 9 | MF | ![]() | ![]() | $300,000 GAM (2020) $75,000 GAM (2021)[A] | [12] |
Loan out
Date | No. | Pos. | Player | Loaned To | Fee/Notes | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
February 6, 2020 | 19 | FW | ![]() | ![]() | 5-month loan | [13] |
Staff
- As of February 8, 2020[14]
Position | Staff | Nationality |
---|---|---|
Head coach | Jim Curtin | ![]() |
Technical director | Chris Albright | ![]() |
Assistant coach | Oka Nikolov | ![]() |
Assistant coach | Pat Noonan | ![]() |
Director of Goalkeeping | Phil Wheddon | ![]() |
Head athletic trainer | Paul Rushing | ![]() |
Team coordinator | Josh Gros | ![]() |
Sporting director | Ernst Tanner | ![]() |
Academy director | Tommy Wilson | ![]() |
Competitions
Preseason
January 29 Preseason 1 | Philadelphia Union | 0–4 | Atlanta United FC | Bradenton, Florida |
11:00 AM EST | Report | J. Martínez ![]() Collin ![]() G. Martínez ![]() ![]() |
Stadium: IMG Academy |
February 1 Preseason 2 | Philadelphia Union | 3–0 | Chicago Fire FC | Clearwater, Florida |
4:00 PM EST | Przybyłko ![]() Fontana ![]() Rayyan ![]() |
Report | Stadium: Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex |
February 5 Preseason 3 | Philadelphia Union | 1–0 | Montreal Impact | Clearwater, Florida |
7:00 PM EST | Przybyłko ![]() ![]() Martínez ![]() |
Report | Bojan ![]() |
Stadium: Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex |
February 12 Preseason 4 | Philadelphia Union | 0–1 | FC Cincinnati | Bradenton, Florida |
7:00 PM EST | MLS Report Union Report |
![]() |
Stadium: IMG Academy |
February 15 Preseason 5 | Philadelphia Union | 2–1 | Inter Miami CF | St. Petersburg, Florida |
4:30 PM EST | Santos ![]() Oravec ![]() |
MLS Report Union Report |
Pizarro ![]() |
Stadium: Al Lang Stadium |
February 19 Preseason 6 | Philadelphia Union | 2–3 | FC Dallas | Clearwater, Florida |
12:00 PM EST | Ilsinho ![]() |
Report | Picault ![]() Ondrášek ![]() ![]() |
Stadium: Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex |
February 22 Preseason 7 | Philadelphia Union | 1–3 | D.C. United | Clearwater, Florida |
7:00 PM EST | Jamiro ![]() |
Report | Kamara ![]() Segura ![]() |
Stadium: Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex |
MLS
Eastern Conference
Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | T | GF | GA | GD | Pts | PPG | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Philadelphia Union | 23 | 14 | 4 | 5 | 44 | 20 | +24 | 47 | 2.04 | Playoffs first round & 2021 CONCACAF Champions League[lower-alpha 1] |
2 | Toronto FC[lower-alpha 2] | 23 | 13 | 5 | 5 | 33 | 26 | +7 | 44 | 1.91 | Playoffs first round & 2021 Leagues Cup[lower-alpha 3] |
3 | Columbus Crew SC (C) | 23 | 12 | 6 | 5 | 36 | 21 | +15 | 41 | 1.78 | Playoffs first round & 2021 CONCACAF Champions League[lower-alpha 4] |
4 | Orlando City SC | 23 | 11 | 4 | 8 | 40 | 25 | +15 | 41 | 1.78 | Playoffs first round & 2021 Leagues Cup |
5 | New York City FC | 23 | 12 | 8 | 3 | 37 | 25 | +12 | 39 | 1.70 |
Rules for classification: 1) points per game; 2) total wins per match played; 3) total goal differential per match played; 4) total goals scored per match played; 5) fewest disciplinary points per match played; 6) away goal differential per away match played; 7) away goals scored per away match played; 8) home goal differential per home match played; 9) home goals scored per home match played; 10) coin toss or drawing of lots.
(C) Champion.
Notes:
- As Supporters' Shield winners
- Canadian clubs could not qualify for the 2021 CONCACAF Champions League through the MLS regular season or playoffs.
- Toronto FC may still qualify for the 2021 CONCACAF Champions League as 2020 Canadian Championship winners
- As MLS Cup 2020 champions
Overall
Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | T | GF | GA | GD | Pts | PPG | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Philadelphia Union (S) | 23 | 14 | 4 | 5 | 44 | 20 | +24 | 47 | 2.04 | 2021 CONCACAF Champions League[lower-alpha 1] |
2 | Toronto FC | 23 | 13 | 5 | 5 | 33 | 26 | +7 | 44 | 1.91 | |
3 | Sporting Kansas City | 21 | 12 | 6 | 3 | 38 | 25 | +13 | 39 | 1.86 | |
4 | Columbus Crew SC (C) | 23 | 12 | 6 | 5 | 36 | 21 | +15 | 41 | 1.78 | 2021 CONCACAF Champions League[lower-alpha 2] |
5 | Orlando City SC | 23 | 11 | 4 | 8 | 40 | 25 | +15 | 41 | 1.78 |
Rules for classification: 1) points per game; 2) total wins per match played; 3) total goal differential per match played; 4) total goals scored per match played; 5) fewest disciplinary points per match played; 6) away goal differential per away match played; 7) away goals scored per away match played; 8) home goal differential per home match played; 9) home goals scored per home match played; 10) coin toss or drawing of lots.
(C) Champion; (S) Supporters' Shield winners.
Notes:
- As Supporters' Shield winners (USA2)
- As MLS Cup 2020 champions (USA1)
Match results
Only matches numbered in the left column apply to the season standings
February 29 1 | FC Dallas | 2–0 | Philadelphia Union | Frisco, Texas |
6:00 PM EST | Ondrášek ![]() ![]() Pomykal ![]() |
Report | Real ![]() Glesnes ![]() Creavalle ![]() Santos ![]() |
Stadium: Toyota Stadium Attendance: 16,219 Referee: Robert Sibiga |
March 8 2 | Los Angeles FC | 3–3 | Philadelphia Union | Los Angeles, California |
10:30 PM EDT | Vela ![]() Palacios ![]() Rossi ![]() Segura ![]() |
Report | Santos ![]() Gaddis ![]() Martínez ![]() Bedoya ![]() Glesnes ![]() Aaronson ![]() Fontana ![]() |
Stadium: Banc of California Stadium Attendance: 22,112 Referee: Chris Penso |
July 9 3 MLSiBT Group Stage | New York City FC | 0–1 | Philadelphia Union | Bay Lake, Florida |
9:00 AM EDT | Tinnerholm ![]() |
Report | Martínez ![]() Monteiro ![]() Bedoya ![]() Glesnes ![]() |
Stadium: ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex Attendance: 0 (closed door) Referee: Armando Villarreal |
July 14 4 MLSiBT Group Stage | Philadelphia Union | 2–1 | Inter Miami CF | Bay Lake, Florida |
10:30 PM EDT | Wagner ![]() Martínez ![]() Przybyłko ![]() |
Report | Pizarro ![]() Trapp ![]() Reyes ![]() ![]() |
Stadium: ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex Attendance: 0 (closed door) Referee: Silviu Petrescu |
Note: Match postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic[15] |
July 20 5 MLSiBT Group Stage | Philadelphia Union | 1–1 | Orlando City SC | Bay Lake, Florida |
8:00 PM EDT | Bedoya ![]() Ilsinho ![]() Glesnes ![]() |
Report | Rosell ![]() Pereyra ![]() Ruan ![]() |
Stadium: ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex Attendance: 0 (closed door) Referee: Rubiel Vazquez |
August 20 6 | New England Revolution | 0–0 | Philadelphia Union | Foxborough, Massachusetts |
7:30 PM EDT | Bye ![]() Polster ![]() |
Report | McKenzie ![]() Elliott ![]() |
Stadium: Gillette Stadium Referee: Robert Sibiga |
August 25 7 | Philadelphia Union | 1–0 | New York Red Bulls | Chester, Pennsylvania |
7:30 PM EDT | Przybylko ![]() Gaddis ![]() Monteiro ![]() |
Report | Stadium: Subaru Park Referee: Rubiel Vazquez |
August 29 8 | Philadelphia Union | 4–1 | D.C. United | Chester, Pennsylvania |
7:30 PM EDT | Przybylko ![]() Martínez ![]() Santos ![]() Mbaizo ![]() Aaronson ![]() Ilsinho ![]() Creavalle ![]() Monteiro ![]() |
Report | Felipe ![]() Gressel ![]() |
Stadium: Subaru Park Referee: Fotis Bazakos |
September 2 9 | Columbus Crew SC | 1–0 | Philadelphia Union | Columbus, Ohio |
7:30 PM EST | Mensah ![]() Zelarayán ![]() |
Report | Monteiro ![]() Bedoya ![]() |
Stadium: Mapfre Stadium Referee: Robert Sibiga |
September 6 10 | New York Red Bulls | 0–3 | Philadelphia Union | Harrison, New Jersey |
7:00 PM EST | Report | Aaronson ![]() Przybylko ![]() Real ![]() |
Stadium: Red Bull Arena Referee: Rosendo Mendoza |
September 12 11 | Philadelphia Union | 2–1 | New England Revolution | Chester, Pennsylvania |
7:30 PM EDT | Fontana ![]() ![]() Martínez ![]() Gaddis ![]() Bedoya ![]() McKenzie ![]() |
Report | Polster ![]() ![]() Buchanan ![]() |
Stadium: Subaru Park Referee: Guido Gonzales, Jr. |
September 20 12 | Montreal Impact | 1–4 | Philadelphia Union | Harrison, New Jersey |
7:00 PM EDT | Quioto ![]() ![]() |
Report | Bedoya ![]() Blake ![]() Przybylko ![]() Fontana ![]() |
Stadium: Red Bull Arena Referee: Marcos de Oliveira |
September 23 13 | FC Cincinnati | 0–0 | Philadelphia Union | Cincinnati, Ohio |
7:30 PM EDT | Gyau ![]() Waston ![]() Medunjanin ![]() Amaya ![]() |
Report | Bedoya ![]() Przybylko ![]() |
Stadium: Nippert Stadium Referee: Guido Gonzales, Jr. |
September 27 14 | Philadelphia Union | 3–0 | Inter Miami CF | Chester, Pennsylvania |
7:30 PM EDT | Fontana ![]() Santos ![]() Ilsinho ![]() Aaronson ![]() |
Report | Reyes ![]() G. Higuaín ![]() |
Stadium: Subaru Park Referee: Elton García |
October 3 15 | Toronto FC | 2–1 | Philadelphia Union | East Hartford, Connecticut |
7:30 PM EDT | Akinola ![]() Pozuelo ![]() |
Report | Santos ![]() Martínez ![]() |
Stadium: Pratt & Whitney Stadium Referee: Victor Rivas |
October 7 16 | Philadelphia Union | 3–0 | FC Cincinnati | Chester, Pennsylvania |
7:30 PM EDT | Bedoya ![]() ![]() Ilsinho ![]() McKenzie ![]() Elliott ![]() Mbaizo ![]() |
Report | Stadium: Subaru Park Referee: Jon Freemon |
October 11 17 | Philadelphia Union | 2–1 | Montreal Impact | Chester, Pennsylvania |
7:30 PM EDT | Monteiro ![]() Santos ![]() Mbaizo ![]() Bedoya ![]() Real ![]() |
Report | Piette ![]() Wanyama ![]() Sejdič ![]() Corrales ![]() |
Stadium: Subaru Park Referee: Ted Unkel |
October 14 18 | D.C. United | 2–2 | Philadelphia Union | Washington, D.C. |
8:00 PM EDT | Santos ![]() Fontana ![]() ![]() Canouse ![]() McKenzie ![]() |
Report | Pines ![]() Bedoya ![]() Mbaizo ![]() Asad ![]() |
Stadium: Audi Field Referee: Marcos de Oliveira |
October 19 19 | New England Revolution | 1–2 | Philadelphia Union | Foxborough, Massachusetts |
7:30 PM EDT | Buchanan ![]() Polster ![]() |
Report | Farrell ![]() Santos ![]() Fontana ![]() Monteiro ![]() |
Stadium: Gillette Stadium Referee: Rubiel Vazquez |
October 24 20 | Philadelphia Union | 5–0 | Toronto FC | Chester, Pennsylvania |
7:30 PM EDT | Monteiro ![]() ![]() Santos ![]() McKenzie ![]() Blake ![]() |
Report | Auro ![]() Mullins ![]() |
Stadium: Subaru Park Referee: Jair Marrufo |
October 28 21 | Philadelphia Union | 2–1 | Chicago Fire FC | Chester, Pennsylvania |
7:30 PM EDT | Przybyłko ![]() Burke ![]() Elliott ![]() Fontana ![]() Bedoya ![]() Ilsinho ![]() |
Report | Calvo ![]() Berić ![]() ![]() Medrán ![]() Mihailovic ![]() |
Stadium: Subaru Park Referee: Guido Gonzales, Jr. |
November 1 22 | Columbus Crew SC | 2–1 | Philadelphia Union | Columbus, Ohio |
3:30 PM EST | Artur ![]() Valenzuela ![]() Németh ![]() |
Report | Monteiro ![]() Glesnes ![]() |
Stadium: Mapfre Stadium Attendance: 1,500 Referee: Allen Chapman |
November 8 23 | Philadelphia Union | 2–0 | New England Revolution | Chester, Pennsylvania |
3:30 PM EST | Santos ![]() Burke ![]() Martínez ![]() |
Report | Farrell ![]() Bunbury ![]() Caldwell ![]() |
Stadium: Subaru Park Attendance: 2,775 Referee: Drew Fischer |
MLS Cup Playoffs
November 24 First round | Philadelphia Union | 0–2 | New England Revolution | Chester, Pennsylvania |
8:00 PM EST | Przybyłko ![]() Wagner ![]() |
Report | Buksa ![]() Buchanan ![]() Polster ![]() |
Stadium: Subaru Park Referee: Joseph Dickerson |
MLS is Back Tournament
Group A standings
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Orlando City SC (H) | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 3 | +3 | 7 | Advanced to knockout stage |
2 | Philadelphia Union | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 7 | |
3 | New York City FC | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | −2 | 3 | |
4 | Inter Miami CF | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 5 | −3 | 0 |
Group A results
July 9 1 (MLS 3) | New York City FC | 0–1 | Philadelphia Union | Bay Lake, Florida |
9:00 AM EDT | Tinnerholm ![]() |
Report | Martínez ![]() Monteiro ![]() Bedoya ![]() Glesnes ![]() |
Stadium: ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex Attendance: 0 (closed door) Referee: Armando Villarreal |
July 14 2 (MLS 4) | Philadelphia Union | 2–1 | Inter Miami CF | Bay Lake, Florida |
10:30 PM EDT | Wagner ![]() Martínez ![]() Przybyłko ![]() |
Report | Pizarro ![]() Trapp ![]() Reyes ![]() ![]() |
Stadium: ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex Attendance: 0 (closed door) Referee: Silviu Petrescu |
Note: Match postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic[15] |
Knockout round
July 25 Round of 16 | Philadelphia Union | 1–0 | New England Revolution | Bay Lake, Florida |
10:30 PM EDT | Santos ![]() |
Report | Stadium: ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex Attendance: 0 (closed door) Referee: Ismail Elfath |
July 30 Quarter-finals | Philadelphia Union | 3–1 | Sporting Kansas City | Bay Lake, Florida |
8:00 PM EDT | Monteiro ![]() Martínez ![]() Santos ![]() Elliott ![]() |
Report | Pulido ![]() Gerso ![]() |
Stadium: ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex Attendance: 0 (closed door) Referee: Ramy Touchan |
August 5 Semi-finals | Philadelphia Union | 1–2 | Portland Timbers | Bay Lake, Florida |
8:00 PM EDT | Wooten ![]() |
Report | Ebobisse ![]() Blanco ![]() |
Stadium: ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex Attendance: 0 (closed door) Referee: Allen Chapman |
U.S. Open Cup
Due to their final standings for the 2019 season, the Union were scheduled to enter the competition in the Fourth Round, to be played May 19–20.[16] The ongoing coronavirus pandemic, however, forced the U.S. Soccer Federation to cancel the tournament on August 17, 2020.[17]
References
- "Players". Philadelphia Union. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
- Tom Bogert (December 23, 2019). "Philadelphia Union acquire defensive midfielder Jose Andres Martinez". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
- Tom Bogert (July 17, 2019). "Philadelphia Union sign Cole Turner to Homegrown deal, eligible in 2020". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
- Charles Boehm (August 20, 2019). "Philadelphia Union sign academy product Jack de Vries to Homegrown deal". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
- Joe Tansey (January 10, 2020). "Philadelphia Union acquire Jamiro Monteiro on permanent move from FC Metz". PROsoccerUSA.com. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
- Tom Bogert (January 19, 2020). "Official: Philadelphia Union acquire Slovakia U-21 midfielder Matej Oravec". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
- Jonathan Tannenwald (January 31, 2020). "Union sign Norwegian centerback Jakob Glesnes to be Mark McKenzie's backup". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
- Joe Tansey (November 20, 2018). "Marco Fabian, Haris Medunjanin not returning to Philadelphia Union in 2020". PROsoccerUSA.com. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
- Charles Boehm (December 5, 2020). "FC Cincinnati sign midfielder Haris Medunjanin". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
- Blaise Bourgeois (February 5, 2020). "A detail in Marco Fabián's Al-Sadd contract that should excite Chivas". OneFootball.com. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
- Joe Tansey (November 20, 2018). "Philadelphia Union trade Auston Trusty to Colorado Rapids". PROsoccerUSA.com. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
- Joe Tansey (November 20, 2018). "Marco Fabian, Haris Medunjanin not returning to Philadelphia Union in 2020". PROsoccerUSA.com. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
- Tom Bogert (6 February 2020). "Official: Philadelphia Union loan Cory Burke to SKN St. Poelten". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
- "Technical Staff". Philadelphia Union. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
- "MLS suspends 2020 season for 30 days due to coronavirus impact". mlssoccer.com. March 12, 2020. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
- "Restructured Competition Format For 2020 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Provides Opportunity For More "David vs. Goliath" Matchups In 107th Edition Of U.S. Soccer's National Championship". U.S. Soccer Federation. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
- "2020 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Cancelled Due to COVID-19" (Press release). United States Soccer Federation. August 17, 2020. Retrieved August 22, 2020.