No narrative in sports is more pervasive than that of the star player, who bears not only the weight of expectation but almost singlehandedly affixes relevance competitions of their choice. The bigger star, the larger they loom – MLS marked the eve of the first round of the playoffs by celebrating Lionel Messi’s contract extension with Inter Miami, the World Cup winner once again positioned to be the central focus of the postseason.
The league’s most fascinating and entertaining quirk, though, is that stars have a spotty track record. It is not just that Messi has yet to win an MLS Cup in his third season with Miami; in recent years, MLS’ top distinction has mostly been won by teams without a globally recognized talent leading the way. Gareth Bale was the last to do so with LAFC in 2022, eight years after Robbie Keane’s LA Galaxy combined star power with trophies. It is the perfect entry point for MLS’ less flashy teams to not just catch up to their more famous counterparts, but outdo them with shrewd decision-making.
The Union are not MLS’ most deep-pocketed team, usually falling somewhere in the middle on a list of team valuations and money spent on transfer fees and player wages. However, it is hard to deny their recent success – they have won the Supporters’ Shield in three of the last six seasons and lead MLS in total points since the start of the 2020 campaign. They even got close to MLS Cup during that stretch, taking the final to a penalty shootout after a 3-3 draw with LAFC that remains one of the most exciting matches in the league’s history. Their achievements are rooted in a detailed approach that is more about small steps than big strides.
The Union’s tactical system is treated as a star, with the input of key figures like chairman Jay Sugarman, sporting director Ernst Tanner, and head coach Bradley Carnell, emphasizing continuous improvement. “We have to have that mindset to really continue to be ahead of the pack,” Sugarman stressed.
Despite the star-studded focus on teams like Inter Miami, Sugarman recognizes the importance of building a strong system and culture, demonstrating that success can be achieved without a marquee name leading the way. This philosophy positions the Philadelphia Union as a significant contender in the MLS landscape.
