Former Bafana Bafana defender Bradley Carnell saw his club Philadelphia Union finish top of the regular season standings in Major League Soccer at the weekend and is now looking ahead to the post season playoffs.
Union topped the Eastern Conference by a single point from Cincinnati but had already secured top place before their weekend loss at Charlotte and will also have a spot in next season’s Concacaf Champions League.
They won 20 of their 34 games with six draws and eight defeats.
Carnell’s side won the Supporters’ Shield for the club who were the best in the regular season, but the tricky part now lies ahead for them in the playoffs.
Union are the top seed in the postseason after claiming the Supporters' Shield for the second time in club history and will have home advantage throughout the entire playoffs.
They kick off with a Round One Best-of-3 series at home on Saturday, where they will take on the winner of Wednesday's Eastern Conference Wild Card match between Chicago Fire FC and Orlando City.
The Union's lone away match of the postseason is scheduled for Saturday, November 1.
Should a third game be needed, Union would host the match on Saturday, November 8.
Mark your calendars 🗓️#DOOP https://t.co/8itJ7X33e8 pic.twitter.com/ba2HLaJlZy
— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) October 19, 2025
Carnell took over at the club before the start of the season and ensured Union finished with the best defence in MLS with just 35 goals conceded and also established a club record of eight away wins.
Carnell was coach at St. Louis City in their debut MLS season in 2023 and took them to the top of the regular season standings. But they lost at the first hurdle in the playoffs to Sporting Kansas City.
He was fired midway through their second season but has bounced back in Philadelphia, where he has also given South African defender Olwethu Makhanya a chance to shine in the side.