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CHESTER, Pa. – In the City of Brotherly Love, the Philadelphia Union have given fans something special to rally behind: one of the most remarkable turnarounds in MLS history.<\/p>\n
What we know:<\/p>\n
After suffering through the worst start in franchise history, the Union have gone from the bottom of the league to one of its hottest teams, finishing the regular season with a sixth-place playoff spot and a franchise-record 15 consecutive games without a loss.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a remarkable redemption story for a team that was once dead last in MLS and appeared to be going nowhere.<\/p>\n
But the Union never gave up.<\/p>\n
The turnaround started after head coach Bradley Carnell was fired in May and Ryan Richter took over. A meeting over coffee in South Philadelphia between Richter and captain Alejandro Bedoya helped set the tone for a new approach.<\/p>\n
The results were historic.<\/p>\n
The Union put together the best run in franchise history, turning a season that looked lost into a playoff push that few saw coming.<\/p>\n
What they’re saying:<\/p>\n
“We actually predicted this is comeback, this redemption tour for the second half,” Union fan Tito Bryson said. “This is the sign we made during the World Cup break.”<\/p>\n
Bryson even credits the sign with helping bring the team good luck.<\/p>\n
“The only game that we\u2019ve lost in this building since the second started, it was the game that we forgot to bring the sign,” he said. “So I\u2019m just saying this is the good luck charm right here.”<\/p>\n
For longtime supporters, the turnaround has become about more than soccer. It\u2019s a team that has embodied Philadelphia\u2019s blue-collar work ethic, playing with the determination and resilience that fans across the city can relate to.<\/p>\n
“This is something that Philly needed, honestly,” fan Charlie Blake said.<\/p>\n
“Counted out, nobody believes us, and here we are,” Bryson added.<\/p>\n
“Having the Union be a team that we all can rally behind has been phenomenal,” fan Adam Donnelly said. “I think we definitely need a team to get into the finals and do something good for Philly.”<\/p>\n
The players haven\u2019t forgotten the supporters who stuck with them through the difficult stretch.<\/p>\n
“We\u2019re really thankful as a team because even when we couldn\u2019t catch a break and didn\u2019t win a game, the fans showed out,” Union midfielder Cavan Sullivan said. “You know, sometimes a fan base gives up, and the Sons of Ben did not.”<\/p>\n
Richter has also felt the energy surrounding the team\u2019s improbable run.<\/p>\n
“It\u2019s exciting to watch,” Richter said. “It\u2019s exciting for the fans. It\u2019s a fun thing to be a part of, that feeling that you want that team that you can\u2019t put into words, but everyone in the building can feel.”<\/p>\n
What’s next:<\/p>\n
Now, the Union have their sights set on something even bigger.<\/p>\n
“What we\u2019re chasing is to try to win MLS Cup,” Richter said.<\/p>\n
From the worst start in franchise history to a historic unbeaten streak and a postseason berth, the Union have rewritten their season.<\/p>\n
And in true Philadelphia fashion, they\u2019ve done it by marching to the beat of their own drum.<\/p>\n
The Union are scheduled to begin their MLS playoff run in less than two weeks.<\/p>\n
The Source: Information in this story is from Major League Soccer.<\/p>\n