Philadelphia have earned unbeaten MLS run, says Richter

Philadelphia Union interim boss Ryan Richter believes his side have earned their unbeaten run as they prepare to take on Charlotte FC.

The Union are unbeaten across their last 14 MLS games (W12 D2), a club-record run, after defeating the Chicago Fire on Wednesday.

Milan Iloski and Bruno Damiani both scored in a 3-1 win over the Fire, who were reduced to 10 men in first-half stoppage time.

Philadelphia's impressive run has seen them climb to sixth in the Eastern Conference, just one point and one place behind upcoming opponents Charlotte.

"It's a great run, something that we’re proud of," Richter said.

"It's something that the guys have earned because of the way that they work every single day, the way that they’re focused, the way that they approach games, the dirty work that they're willing to commit to during the games."

Teenager Cavan Sullivan picked up an assist in the Union's win over Chicago, and he is relishing the chance to prove the doubters wrong.

"People doubt the Philadelphia Union," Sullivan said. "They want to say that we're only beating bottom-of-the-table teams.

"But we were once at the bottom of the table. So we're just proving it week in and week out and hoping to keep this thing rolling."

Charlotte failed to pick up three points during the week, falling to a 3-1 defeat to the Columbus Crew on the road.

Dean Smith's side took the lead through Idan Toklomati, but failed to keep out an in-form Columbus side, with the head coach describing the performance "as bad as I've seen in a long time."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Philadelphia Union – Cavan Sullivan

Sullivan's assist against Chicago marked his 21st direct goal contribution of the season (seven goals, 14 assists), the most ever by a teenager in a single MLS campaign.

The 17-year-old has also registered a direct goal involvement in each of his last eight MLS matches either side of the international break.

Charlotte FC – Idan Toklomati

Toklomati is Charlotte's joint-top scorer in MLS this season with 12 goals, level with Pep Biel.

The 22-year-old has already equalled his goal tally from the 2025 campaign, despite playing in five fewer matches.

MATCH PREDICTION – PHILADELPHIA UNION WIN

Not only are Philadelphia unbeaten in their last 14 MLS games, but they have also won their last eight on the bounce.

The Union have scored 28 goals across their last eight league matches, including 5-0 wins over San Diego FC and FC Cincinnati.

However, Charlotte won the previous meeting against Philadelphia this season, when Wilfried Zaha scored the winner in a 2-1 victory back in April.

Nevertheless, the Union have won both of their last two home meetings with Charlotte, once in MLS (2-1) and the other in the Leagues Cup.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Philadelphia Union – 54.3%

Draw – 23.5%

Charlotte FC – 22.2%