Philadelphia Union head coach Bradley Carnell has backed his young team to showcase their leadership traits ahead of this weekend's trip to D.C. United.

The Union won the 2025 Supporters' Shield, but in the playoffs, they were knocked out in the Eastern Conference semi-finals by New York City FC.

They have also made notable changes to their roster following the departure of Tai Baribo, their top scorer last season, to upcoming opponents D.C., while Jakob Glesnes left for the LA Galaxy.

Philadelphia did bring in some experience to replace those players, signing Japhet Sery Larsen from Brann in Norway.

Carnell also highlighted youngsters Frankie Westfield (20 years old), Nathan Harriel (24) and Olwethu Makhanya (21) as other potential leaders in their squad.

"For me, leadership does not have an age. Leadership is with your voice and with your body. You lead by what you are doing, or you lead by talking," said Carnell.

"We know that Ali [Alejandro Bedoya] is coming back for his 11th season. We know Andre Blake is fighting for qualification for the World Cup.

"So just seeing those two bodies in training now and the presence that they possess, you have no choice but to follow them.

"But I see Frankie Westfield, Nathan Harriel, Olwethu Makhanya talking more than ever. And then strategic signings like Japhet Sery Larsen. So there's a couple of guys in there."

D.C. finished the 2025 campaign at the other end of the Eastern Conference table, winning just one game between June and October on their way to ending in last place.

They are also winless in their three pre-season games, where they faced Minnesota United, the Portland Timbers and LA Galaxy.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

D.C. United – Tai Baribo

Baribo scored 18 goals and provided four assists for Philadelphia last season before his move to D.C.

Following Christian Benteke's move to the United Arab Emirates, Baribo could play a key role for D.C. this season.

Philadelphia Union – Milan Iloski

Iloski directly contributed to 21 goals (13 goals, eight assists) in 26 MLS games last season across spells with Philadelphia and San Diego FC.

He also scored and assisted in their 5-0 win over Defence Force in the Champions Cup on Wednesday.

MATCH PREDICTION – PHILADELPHIA UNION WIN

Philadelphia have won 15 of their last 19 regular-season matches against D.C. (D3 L1), including winning the last three by a combined score of 13-0.

The Union’s 15 league wins over D.C. equals the most by any team against a single opponent since the start of the 2017 season (Real Salt Lake versus Colorado).

Philadelphia won the Supporters’ Shield for the second time in club history in 2025 (also 2020) with 66 points, the fewest by any Shield winner in a full season since FC Dallas (60) in 2016.

D.C. collected an MLS-low 26 points in the 2025 season, their second-fewest in a 34-match MLS campaign (16 in 2013).

Their five wins and negative 36 goal difference were also the second worst in a full MLS season in club history, only doing worse in 2013 (three wins, negative 37 goal difference).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

D.C. United – 20.4%

Draw – 21.2%

Philadelphia Union – 58.4%