MLS Analyst Salutes Philadelphia Union’s ‘Blue-Collar’ Identity

Speaking on a media roundtable on Zoom, Higginbotham highlighted Carnell’s ability in shaping Philadelphia’s team-first ethic. Remarkably, 18 different goal-scorers have found the net, and 10 players recorded more than five goal contributions during the regular season.

“The game is less about the individual and more about the collective,” Higginbotham said. “What you’re seeing with a team like Philadelphia Union – 18 different goal scorers, which is absolutely phenomenal – it’s absolutely incredible. What we’ve seen from Bradley Carnell, is it’s always been about the collective and the way that the players have gone about it.”

Throughout the 2025 season, Carnell found the magic touch with his squad rotation system. Sixteen players featured in at least 20 of the Union’s matches. It’s no wonder that Philadelphia set a club record with 20 regular-season wins.

“His rotation of that team has been phenomenal,” Higginbotham said. “It’s been unbelievable. So, I think he deserves a lot of credit.”

Though forward Tai Baribo led the Union with 16 regular-season goals and scored twice in Philadelphia’s Game 2 victory against Chicago that propelled Philly into the semifinals, the biggest strengths of the Union are their relentless pressing style and togetherness.

Carnell and His Players Turned Subaru Park Into a Fortress

The Union allowed a league-low 35 goals against during the regular season and tied for the league’s lowest shots against at 349. Center-back Jakob Glesnes and left-back Kai Wagner made the 2025 MLS Best XI.

Philadelphia is undefeated in 16 of 17 home games. The way that the Union turned Subaru Park into an intimidating fortress is reminiscent of the Stoke City teams that Higginbotham featured under manager Tony Pulis.

Having played for Stoke during the Potters’ Premier League heyday, Higginbotham sees common traits between Philadelphia and Stoke-on-Trent. They’re both cities of proud, tough-minded people.

“When you look at the similarities between the Philadelphia Union and Stoke, I think first and foremost what Bradley Carnell has done exceptionally well, and I think Jim Curtin did it really well [is] you have to have a team that represents the city,” Higginbotham said. “I think that’s huge. Every football club that I’ve been at that’s sort of had a successful [run] and a very, very positive fan base, it’s been a group of players on the field that resonate with the fans off the field. What we would call working class in England, is blue collar over here.”

Higginbotham Says Union Has 'Perfect Ingredient'

He underlined the importance of the manager and his players forming a special bond with the club’s supporters.

“That’s what you’ve got with the Philadelphia Union,” he said. “When you’ve got that fit, it’s the perfect ingredient. When you don’t, then it can be difficult. I’ve also been in situations where the fans and the players aren’t on the same page. When they are on the same page, it’s unbelievable.

“So, when you've got a coach like Bradley Carnell, who's sort of the way that he sees the game, the way that he relays the game onto the pitch, really goes hand in hand with the supporters. You're onto a winner.”

Should the Union prevail over NYCFC, they’ll be one step away from reaching the 2025 MLS Cup final. The MLS Cup will take place on Dec. 6.