Come late Sunday evening, the Philadelphia Union very well could be 2020 Supporters’ Shield champions.
The simple version? The Union beat Columbus Crew SC on the road tomorrow afternoon (3:30 pm ET | TV & streaming info), then hope Toronto FC lose or tie against Inter Miami CF later that night (7:30 pm ET | TV & streaming info).
There are a couple other scenarios at play, though head coach Jim Curtin takes confidence from Philly being in the driver’s seat with two games to go.
“We know every possible scenario, the teams that can help us, the teams that can hurt us, the three teams that can mathematically catch us,” Curtin said. “We know who they are and when they play, so again we'll keep an eye on everything. But like you mentioned, most importantly, we’re in a position where we control our own destiny and if we win one of our last two, you know what that means.”
The Union have come close to silverware on three prior occasions, but lost U.S. Open Cup finals in 2014, 2015 and 2018. For a club that joined MLS in 2010, it’d be quite the crowning achievement after steady improvement in recent years, with a reliance on Homegrown talent and shrewd international signings paving the way.
A clear highlight from the former group is midfielder Brenden Aaronson, who’s set to join Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg via transfer in the new year. Aaronson has Audi 2020 MLS Cup Playoff aspirations, of course, but raising the Shield would be a nice parting gift.
“It’s really emotional for me, because the year that I’ve had and moving to Salzburg at the end of the season, just wanting this to be a special season for the team, just wanted to give my all all season,” Aaronson said. “But like you just said, I’ve been in the stands for the games. I think it was Sporting Kansas City – I don’t know what year it was – but the U.S. Open Cup, I remember being at the game and heartbroken afterwards. So I think that this city definitely deserves a trophy, this team does, so I’m really excited to have the chance to do it.”
One obstacle is a right-hand fracture that goalkeeper Andre Blake suffered in a 2-1 midweek win over Chicago Fire FC. Blake’s the frontrunner for the Allstate Goalkeeper of the Year award, but Curtin said there’s a “real possibility” he returns for the playoffs and hasn’t ruled him out for the year.
With the Shield in touching distance, Philadelphia have (so far) navigated the shortened 23-game slate better than the 25 other teams in MLS. The results back that up, and soon they could have a trophy to show for it.
“It’s definitely been a weird year,” Aaronson began, “but having that finish line and being able to see that we have something we’re looking at and we’re looking at a trophy right now, it’s something that’s special and we’re all really, really excited to take the field on Sunday and we’re just going to perform."
