Bradley Carnell’s Union Revolution: How Philly’s New Boss Has Turned Doubt Into Dominance

When Bradley Carnell took over as head coach of the Philadelphia Union, few expected much. The club had just missed the playoffs for the first time in seven years. Their legendary coach Jim Curtin was gone. They had one of the league’s lowest payrolls. It looked like a transitional year.

Instead, it’s been a transformational one.

As we approach the midpoint of the MLS season, the Union sit atop the Supporters’ Shield standings, averaging more than two points per game — the only team in MLS doing so. They’ve done it with grit, belief, and a system that’s getting the best out of everyone.

A Family Man with Fire

When the league-wide June break arrived, many coaches took the opportunity to relax. Carnell went home — to St. Louis. That might seem odd, considering CITY SC dismissed him less than a year ago, but it’s still home for his family. His daughters are in school nearby, and stability matters.

“I’ve dragged my kids across continents,” Carnell said. “Now it’s time they have a home. And I’m building something in Philly while they stay grounded in Missouri.”

It’s a glimpse into the human side of a coach often defined by tactics. But it’s also a reminder that Carnell arrived in Philly with something to prove — not just to his critics, but to himself.

A Surprising Juggernaut

After all, nobody had Philly pegged as contenders. Their salary budget is third-lowest in the league. Their star striker, Tai Baribo, leads the Golden Boot race despite injuries and international duty. Homegrown talents like Quinn Sullivan and Frankie Westfield are thriving. Lesser-known contributors like Markus Anderson and Danley Jean Jacques are playing vital roles.

The team’s success is less about individual brilliance and more about a culture of belief and execution.

“The system is the star,” Carnell often says, echoing his Red Bull roots and Klopp-style pressing principles. “If everyone buys in, everyone gets rewarded.”

Replacing a Legend, Reinventing a Club

Taking over from Curtin — a beloved figure with over a decade at the helm — could’ve been daunting. But Carnell didn’t come to emulate Curtin. He came to modernize Philly’s identity.

Sporting director Ernst Tanner brought in Carnell for a reason: to keep the team’s development-first model intact, while adding a layer of strategic evolution.

“We’re not changing who we are,” Carnell explains. “But we’re adapting — pressing smarter, not just harder. Using depth. Building trust.”

It’s working. The Union aren’t just tough to beat — they’re genuinely dangerous, even when shorthanded.

A Personal Redemption Arc

Carnell’s split from St. Louis CITY still lingers in the background. Despite a historic debut season in 2023, his relationship with CITY’s front office soured. His departure stung — and it still motivates him.

“I carry that,” he said. “Not to prove them wrong. But to prove me right.”

That passion boiled over in March when the Union beat CITY 1-0. Carnell and striker João Klauss had to be separated after the match. It was messy. But it was real.

Since then, Carnell has used that fuel to build something special — and sustainable.

Eyes on MLS Cup

Now comes the hard part: sustaining the run. With clubs like Inter Miami, FC Cincinnati, and the Columbus Crew lurking in the East, Carnell knows a trophy run won’t come easy.

“We’re still evolving,” he says. “We’ve kept our identity, but we’re smarter now. More strategic. More connected.”

If that sounds like a coach in sync with his players and front office, it’s because he is. And if the Union do reach the MLS Cup this year, it won’t be a fluke. It will be the result of belief, alignment, and a coach rewriting his own story.