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The Summer of Soccer is upon us and the official start of summer kicked off with a raucous night at Subaru Park thanks to a late Markus Anderson winner. The Club World Cup is underway, the Gold Cup is coming and the Union are the team with the best recordi in MLS. Let’s gooooo!

In the email today:

1. 🪄 Magic Markus

Amit Maliik

On a night when the Union seemingly squandered an impressive performance against Charlotte at home, Markus Anderson sparkled another helping of magic onto the Union’s season with a poetic, raucous, walk-off winner deep into stoppage time.

Anderson cued dramatic celebrations in the 98th minute with a difficult volley, his first career goal in his fourth-ever Union appearance and first of the year. Saturday was a shorthanded effort for the Union, with five new players in the lineup and very fresh faces on the bench, as Andre Blake, Nathan Harriel, Danley Jean-Jacques, Tai Baribo and Mikael Uhre were all unavailable.

And so Anderson’s improbable goal capped off a madhouse night at Subaru Park, when the deputizing Jesus Bueno finished a rampant first half with an spectacular half-volley of his own. Wilfred Zaha nearly stole a point for a rather tame Charlotte side, but the Union’s fighting spirit willed its way to another three points.

The Union improved to 10 matches unbeaten in the league and finished the game with 37 points atop the Supporters Shield’ standings. Charlotte moved to 8-1-9 in ninth place in the East.

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2. 🌎 Club World Cup is Here

By Greg Oldfield

The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup has arrived.

The new addition will mark the largest format of the historical competition meant to bring the world’s best clubs together. Over 63 games and 11 cities, the monthlong event will serve as a lead up to next summer’s FIFA Club World Cup and a test run for Philadelphia’s capacity to host a global event.

The first of eight games will begin tonight at Lincoln Financial Field when Brazilian super club Flamengo takes on Espérance Sportive de Tunis in a Group D matchup at 9 p.m. EST.

Read more >

3. ✍️ Social Post of the Day: Recap

4. 💧 Water Cooler: Player Ratings

Weigh in on the performances from the Charlotte FC win in our Player Ratings Poll.

Results from the Biggest Surprise So Far poll:

5. 🔗 Link Roundup

• Evan Cohen handed out mid-season grades to all of the Union players.

• Quentin Hall has thoughts about last night’s game.

• West Chester United beat defending National Amateur Cup champions NY Pancyprian Freedoms 3-0 on Saturday in the Region 1 Amateur Cup final, booking a return trip to the final four of the competition.

• Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals and West Chester United both fell to teams from New York in Sunday’s Region 1 Cup finals. The Ukies lost to LISL United in a 14-goal thriller and West Chester came up short against Leros SC.

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