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.

Philadelphia Union
2020 season
OwnerJay Sugarman
Head coachJim Curtin
StadiumTalen Energy Stadium (Capacity: 18,500)
MLSConference: 1st
Overall: 1st
MLS Cup PlayoffsFirst round
U.S. Open CupCanceled
MLS is Back TournamentSemi-finals
Leagues CupCanceled
Top goalscorerLeague:
Kacper Przybyłko
Sergio Santos
(8 each)
All:
Sergio Santos (11)
Average home league attendance2,775
Biggest winPHI 5–0 TOR (Oct. 24)
Biggest defeatDAL 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]
No. Position Player Nation
1 Goalkeeper Matt Freese (HG)  United States
2 Midfielder Warren Creavalle  Guyana
3 Defender Jack Elliott  England
4 Defender Mark McKenzie (HG)  United States
5 Defender Jakob Glesnes (Int)  Norway
7 Forward Andrew Wooten  United States
8 Midfielder José Martínez (Int)  Venezuela
11 Midfielder Alejandro Bedoya (DP)  United States
12 Goalkeeper Joe Bendik  United States
13 Midfielder Cole Turner (HG)  United States
14 Midfielder Jack de Vries (HG)  United States
15 Defender Olivier Mbaizo  Cameroon
17 Forward Sérgio Santos (Int)  Brazil
18 Goalkeeper Andre Blake  Jamaica
19 Forward Cory Burke (Int)  Jamaica
20 Forward Michee Ngalina (Int)  DR Congo
21 Midfielder Anthony Fontana (HG)  United States
22 Midfielder Brenden Aaronson (HG)  United States
23 Forward Kacper Przybyłko (Int)  Poland
24 Midfielder Matej Oravec (Int)  Slovakia
25 Midfielder Ilsinho  Brazil
27 Defender Kai Wagner (Int)  Germany
28 Defender Ray Gaddis  United States
32 Defender Matthew Real (HG)  United States
35 Midfielder Jamiro Monteiro (DP, Int)  Cape Verde
78 Defender Aurélien Collin  France

Transfers

In
Date No. Pos. Player Transferred from Fee/Notes Source
December 23, 20198MF José Martínez Zulia F.C.$325,000[2]
January 1, 202013MF Cole Turner Philadelphia Union IIHomegrown signing[3]
14FW Jack de Vries Philadelphia Union IIHomegrown signing[4]
January 10, 202035MF Jamiro Monteiro FC Metz$2,000,000; DP signing[5]
January 19, 202024MF Matej Oravec DAC Dunajská StredaUndisclosed fee; TAM signing[6]
January 31, 20205DF Jakob Glesnes StrømsgodsetUndisclosed fee; TAM signing[7]

Out
Date No. Pos. Player Transferred To Fee/Notes Source
November 20, 20196MF Haris Medunjanin FC CincinnatiEnd of contract[8][9]
10MF Marco Fabián Al Sadd SCDeclined contract option[8][10]
16DF R. J. AllenDeclined contract option[8]
26DF Auston Trusty Colorado Rapids$300,000 TAM (2020)
$300,000 GAM (2021)
$150,000 GAM (2021)[A]		[11]
33DF FabinhoDeclined contract option[8]
November 26, 20199MF Fafà Picault FC Dallas$300,000 GAM (2020)
$75,000 GAM (2021)[A]		[12]
  • ^
    Contingent on undisclosed 2020 season performance metrics.
    •

    Loan out
    Date No. Pos. Player Loaned To Fee/Notes Source
    February 6, 202019FW Cory Burke SKN St. Pölten5-month loan[13]

    Staff
    As of February 8, 2020[14]
    Position Staff Nationality
    Head coachJim Curtin United States
    Technical directorChris Albright United States
    Assistant coachOka Nikolov Macedonia
    Assistant coachPat Noonan United States
    Director of GoalkeepingPhil Wheddon United States
    Head athletic trainerPaul Rushing United States
    Team coordinatorJosh Gros United States
    Sporting directorErnst Tanner Germany
    Academy directorTommy Wilson Scotland

    Competitions

    Preseason
    January 29 Preseason 1 Philadelphia Union 0–4 Atlanta United FC Bradenton, Florida
    11:00 AM EST Report J. Martínez
    Collin  (o.g.)
    G. Martínez     		Stadium: IMG Academy
    February 1 Preseason 2 Philadelphia Union 3–0 Chicago Fire FC Clearwater, Florida
    4:00 PM EST Przybyłko  35'
    Fontana  40'
    Rayyan  50'    		 Report Stadium: Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex
    February 5 Preseason 3 Philadelphia Union 1–0 Montreal Impact Clearwater, Florida
    7:00 PM EST Przybyłko  28',  57'
    Martínez  89'    		 Report Bojan  16' 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  19'
    Oravec  86'    		 MLS Report
    Union Report    		 Pizarro  33' Stadium: Al Lang Stadium
    February 19 Preseason 6 Philadelphia Union 2–3 FC Dallas Clearwater, Florida
    12:00 PM EST Ilsinho  77', 88' Report Picault  16'
    Ondrášek ,     		Stadium: Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex
    February 22 Preseason 7 Philadelphia Union 1–3 D.C. United Clearwater, Florida
    7:00 PM EST Jamiro  44' Report Kamara  18', 55' (pen.)
    Segura  59'    		 Stadium: Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex

    MLS
    Main article: 2020 Major League Soccer season
    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
    Source: MLS
    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:
    1. As Supporters' Shield winners
    2. Canadian clubs could not qualify for the 2021 CONCACAF Champions League through the MLS regular season or playoffs.
    3. Toronto FC may still qualify for the 2021 CONCACAF Champions League as 2020 Canadian Championship winners
    4. 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
    Source: MLS
    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:
    1. As Supporters' Shield winners (USA2)
    2. 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  61',  86'
    Pomykal  90+1'    		 Report Real  26'
    Glesnes  59'
    Creavalle  67'
    Santos  84'    		 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  38'
    Palacios  45+2'
    Rossi  49'
    Segura  71'    		 Report Santos  29'
    Gaddis  33'
    Martínez  43'
    Bedoya  45+4'
    Glesnes  48'
    Aaronson  69'
    Fontana  90+6'    		 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  82' Report Martínez  34'
    Monteiro  45+6'
    Bedoya  63'
    Glesnes  89'    		 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  5'
    Martínez  27'
    Przybyłko  63'    		 Report Pizarro  36'
    Trapp  38'
    Reyes  67'  90+8'    		 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  56'
    Ilsinho  68'
    Glesnes  80'    		 Report Rosell  67'
    Pereyra  70'
    Ruan  90+1'    		 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  25'
    Polster  44'    		 Report McKenzie  50'
    Elliott  53'    		 Stadium: Gillette Stadium
    Referee: Robert Sibiga
    August 25 7 Philadelphia Union 1–0 New York Red Bulls Chester, Pennsylvania
    7:30 PM EDT Przybylko  31'
    Gaddis  36'
    Monteiro  52'    		 Report Stadium: Subaru Park
    Referee: Rubiel Vazquez
    August 29 8 Philadelphia Union 4–1 D.C. United Chester, Pennsylvania
    7:30 PM EDT Przybylko  7', 16'
    Martínez  10'
    Santos  21'
    Mbaizo  56'
    Aaronson  61'
    Ilsinho  69'
    Creavalle  80'
    Monteiro  87'    		 Report Felipe  19'
    Gressel  63'    		 Stadium: Subaru Park
    Referee: Fotis Bazakos
    September 2 9 Columbus Crew SC 1–0 Philadelphia Union Columbus, Ohio
    7:30 PM EST Mensah  52'
    Zelarayán  55'    		 Report Monteiro  42'
    Bedoya  54'    		 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  36'
    Przybylko  68'
    Real  78'    		 Stadium: Red Bull Arena
    Referee: Rosendo Mendoza
    September 12 11 Philadelphia Union 2–1 New England Revolution Chester, Pennsylvania
    7:30 PM EDT Fontana  65',  73', 90+5'
    Martínez  20'
    Gaddis  36'
    Bedoya  50'
    McKenzie  90'    		 Report Polster  8'  56'
    Buchanan  81'    		 Stadium: Subaru Park
    Referee: Guido Gonzales, Jr.
    September 20 12 Montreal Impact 1–4 Philadelphia Union Harrison, New Jersey
    7:00 PM EDT Quioto  5',  16' Report Bedoya  22'
    Blake  28'
    Przybylko  45+3', 47'
    Fontana  65'    		 Stadium: Red Bull Arena
    Referee: Marcos de Oliveira
    September 23 13 FC Cincinnati 0–0 Philadelphia Union Cincinnati, Ohio
    7:30 PM EDT Gyau  19'
    Waston  47'
    Medunjanin  63'
    Amaya  90+3'    		 Report Bedoya  59'
    Przybylko  79'    		 Stadium: Nippert Stadium
    Referee: Guido Gonzales, Jr.
    September 27 14 Philadelphia Union 3–0 Inter Miami CF Chester, Pennsylvania
    7:30 PM EDT Fontana  25'
    Santos  46'
    Ilsinho  69'
    Aaronson  90+6'    		 Report Reyes  5'
    G. Higuaín 77'    		 Stadium: Subaru Park
    Referee: Elton García
    October 3 15 Toronto FC 2–1 Philadelphia Union East Hartford, Connecticut
    7:30 PM EDT Akinola  58'
    Pozuelo  76'    		 Report Santos  5'
    Martínez  83'    		 Stadium: Pratt & Whitney Stadium
    Referee: Victor Rivas
    October 7 16 Philadelphia Union 3–0 FC Cincinnati Chester, Pennsylvania
    7:30 PM EDT Bedoya  40',  73'
    Ilsinho  59'
    McKenzie  66'
    Elliott  80'
    Mbaizo  90+3'    		 Report Stadium: Subaru Park
    Referee: Jon Freemon
    October 11 17 Philadelphia Union 2–1 Montreal Impact Chester, Pennsylvania
    7:30 PM EDT Monteiro  39'
    Santos  48'
    Mbaizo  58'
    Bedoya  76'
    Real  90+3'    		 Report Piette  55'
    Wanyama  59'
    Sejdič  65'
    Corrales  71'    		 Stadium: Subaru Park
    Referee: Ted Unkel
    October 14 18 D.C. United 2–2 Philadelphia Union Washington, D.C.
    8:00 PM EDT Santos  42'
    Fontana  49',  53'
    Canouse  60'
    McKenzie  87'    		 Report Pines  71'
    Bedoya  74'
    Mbaizo  81'
    Asad  75' (pen.)    		 Stadium: Audi Field
    Referee: Marcos de Oliveira
    October 19 19 New England Revolution 1–2 Philadelphia Union Foxborough, Massachusetts
    7:30 PM EDT Buchanan  80'
    Polster  90+2'    		 Report Farrell  34' (o.g.)
    Santos  57'
    Fontana  69'
    Monteiro  87'    		 Stadium: Gillette Stadium
    Referee: Rubiel Vazquez
    October 24 20 Philadelphia Union 5–0 Toronto FC Chester, Pennsylvania
    7:30 PM EDT Monteiro  9',  56'
    Santos  27', 63', 68'
    McKenzie  33'
    Blake  64'    		 Report Auro  10'
    Mullins  73'    		 Stadium: Subaru Park
    Referee: Jair Marrufo
    October 28 21 Philadelphia Union 2–1 Chicago Fire FC Chester, Pennsylvania
    7:30 PM EDT Przybyłko  28' (pen.)
    Burke  65'
    Elliott  16'
    Fontana  48'
    Bedoya  68'
    Ilsinho  90+4'    		 Report Calvo  36'
    Berić  42',  45'
    Medrán  57'
    Mihailovic  88'    		 Stadium: Subaru Park
    Referee: Guido Gonzales, Jr.
    November 1 22 Columbus Crew SC 2–1 Philadelphia Union Columbus, Ohio
    3:30 PM EST Artur  37'
    Valenzuela  71'
    Németh  84'    		 Report Monteiro  57' (pen.)
    Glesnes  72'    		 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  42'
    Burke  69'
    Martínez  86'    		 Report Farrell  31'
    Bunbury  55'
    Caldwell  90+6'    		 Stadium: Subaru Park
    Attendance: 2,775
    Referee: Drew Fischer

    MLS Cup Playoffs
    Main article: 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs
    November 24 First round Philadelphia Union 0–2 New England Revolution Chester, Pennsylvania
    8:00 PM EST Przybyłko  36'
    Wagner  73'    		 Report Buksa  26'
    Buchanan  30'
    Polster  88'    		 Stadium: Subaru Park
    Referee: Joseph Dickerson

    MLS is Back Tournament
    Main article: MLS is Back Tournament
    Group A standings
    Main article: MLS is Back Tournament § Group A
    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
    Source: MLS
    (H) Host.
    Group A results
    July 9 1 (MLS 3) New York City FC 0–1 Philadelphia Union Bay Lake, Florida
    9:00 AM EDT Tinnerholm  82' Report Martínez  34'
    Monteiro  45+6'
    Bedoya  63'
    Glesnes  89'    		 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  5'
    Martínez  27'
    Przybyłko  63'    		 Report Pizarro  36'
    Trapp  38'
    Reyes  67'  90+8'    		 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 3 (MLS 5) Philadelphia Union 1–1 Orlando City SC Bay Lake, Florida
    8:00 PM EDT Bedoya  56'
    Ilsinho  68'
    Glesnes  80'    		 Report Rosell  67'
    Pereyra  70'
    Ruan  90+1'    		 Stadium: ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
    Attendance: 0 (closed door)
    Referee: Rubiel Vazquez

    Knockout round
    July 25 Round of 16 Philadelphia Union 1–0 New England Revolution Bay Lake, Florida
    10:30 PM EDT Santos  63' 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  24'
    Martínez  25'
    Santos  26', 39'
    Elliott  53'    		 Report Pulido  45+1'
    Gerso  71'    		 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  85' Report Ebobisse  13'
    Blanco  70'    		 Stadium: ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
    Attendance: 0 (closed door)
    Referee: Allen Chapman

    U.S. Open Cup
    Main article: 2020 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
    1. "Players". Philadelphia Union. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
    2. Tom Bogert (December 23, 2019). "Philadelphia Union acquire defensive midfielder Jose Andres Martinez". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
    3. Tom Bogert (July 17, 2019). "Philadelphia Union sign Cole Turner to Homegrown deal, eligible in 2020". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
    4. Charles Boehm (August 20, 2019). "Philadelphia Union sign academy product Jack de Vries to Homegrown deal". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
    5. Joe Tansey (January 10, 2020). "Philadelphia Union acquire Jamiro Monteiro on permanent move from FC Metz". PROsoccerUSA.com. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
    6. Tom Bogert (January 19, 2020). "Official: Philadelphia Union acquire Slovakia U-21 midfielder Matej Oravec". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
    7. Jonathan Tannenwald (January 31, 2020). "Union sign Norwegian centerback Jakob Glesnes to be Mark McKenzie's backup". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
    8. Joe Tansey (November 20, 2018). "Marco Fabian, Haris Medunjanin not returning to Philadelphia Union in 2020". PROsoccerUSA.com. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
    9. Charles Boehm (December 5, 2020). "FC Cincinnati sign midfielder Haris Medunjanin". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
    10. Blaise Bourgeois (February 5, 2020). "A detail in Marco Fabián's Al-Sadd contract that should excite Chivas". OneFootball.com. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
    11. Joe Tansey (November 20, 2018). "Philadelphia Union trade Auston Trusty to Colorado Rapids". PROsoccerUSA.com. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
    12. Joe Tansey (November 20, 2018). "Marco Fabian, Haris Medunjanin not returning to Philadelphia Union in 2020". PROsoccerUSA.com. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
    13. Tom Bogert (6 February 2020). "Official: Philadelphia Union loan Cory Burke to SKN St. Poelten". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
    14. "Technical Staff". Philadelphia Union. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
    15. "MLS suspends 2020 season for 30 days due to coronavirus impact". mlssoccer.com. March 12, 2020. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
    16. "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.
    17. "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.
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