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Happy Friday, Union fans. The Union are healthy after an international break and head to Fort Lauderdale to take on Inter Miami. Whether Messi plays or not the match is a key early road contest for a Union side that is in some ways battling not just their opponents but the philosophy of big market teams like Miami that seemingly have free reign to buy their way to the top, MLS rules be damned.

In the email today:

1. 🌴 Philadelphia Union vs MLessi?

Messi watch is on full alert ahead of tomorrow night’s clash in Fort Lauderdale, as indicated by the number of Messi focused Google alerts filling my inbox.

The will he or won’t he play question mark has been a common storyline this season for the Herons, particularly when those out-of-town fans suddenly care about snagging tickets to their local team. The Argentine international has missed Miami’s last three games (all competitions) after scoring a goal and dishing two assists in their first two games of the season.

The World Cup winner brings home more than the Union’s entire roster in salary ($20 million guaranteed to the Union’s $14 million total last season) and he’s surrounded by a cast of famous and up and coming talents. The total wage bill for the David Beckham-owned team was close to $40 million last season. Meanwhile, splashing $3.4 million to sign Bruno Damiani set a new record for the U. Cue Jay Sugarman talking about muskets.

While Inter Miami is the darling of MLS, the Union were picked to finish at the bottom of the table and their most “marketable” star according to the league is a 15-year-old who has played 8 minutes this season. The early stars of the team have included newcomer Jovan Lukic, red hot Tai Baribo, “Cavan’s older brother” and the magic left foot of Kai Wagner.

If Inter Miami are the darlings of the league, the Union are the team that just won’t go away no matter how much the league tries to ignore or underestimate them. The Union have already found success on the road with wins in Orlando and New England so there’s plenty of belief in the squad and motivation to continue proving their biggest critics and doubters wrong.

As they did before under Jim Curtin, the Union tend to do their best when the headlines are not in their favor, whether they’re all about how many players they’re missing like last week or when the focus is more on how good their opponent is than on how uncomfortable they have been making opponents not named Nashville SC. If anything, the chip on their shoulder underdog Philly tough attitude has only strengthened under Bradley Carnell, who despite his friendly demeanor and philosophy-first approach has an edge the players have responded well to so far.

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2. 👍🏽 Union Healthy Coming out of International Break

International breaks are typically an exercise in Union fans holding their breath but the most recent departure of players to national team competitions and camps doesn’t seem to have had too much of a negative impact on players’ returns.

Philadelphia Union head coach Bradley Carnell said the team is healthy and that Andre Blake, who was banged up while with Jamaica, is expected to be ready to go for Saturday’s game.

“He put his body on the line,” Carnell said. “We just watched some of the footage, and, you know, he extended himself. He knew what he had to do for his country and we're proud of him for doing what he did and helped his team qualify for the Gold Cup. He's doing okay. We feel he should be ready to go.”

With the roster healthy and everyone back it means Carnell will have decisions to make, something he admits can be hard when so many players are performing so well in training.

“We've always believed the internal competition has to be bigger than the external competition, and will remain by that,” Carnell said. “And again, this week's been nothing short of really good, focused, professional.”

The match is slated for 7:30 p.m. and will be broadcast live on MLS Season Pass.

3. 🧂 Social Post of the Day: Top of the Table

4. 💧 Water Cooler: Player Ratings/Reactions

“It was interesting to see Carnell stick to his system and tactics despite the absence of multiple starters. He plugged in players into new spots and kept it consistent. Stark departure from Curtin who would change both the formation and the pressing tactics when he had less then his top 13 available. This game really showed the different between the coaches and why Tanner made the move he did.”

“Nice to see the creativity with lineup choices. This from a Curtin supporter.”

“The diving was awful. The ref allowed it from St. Louis so the Union started doing it. Blech.”

“Not a ‘B’ team look, subs knew and did their job to paraphrase Vassilev from an interview.”

5. 🔗 Link Roundup

• Matt McClain recapped Saturday’s win and the early rise of the 2025 Philadelphia Union.

• Todd Lewis of The Free Kick broke down the goal in the 1-0 win over St. Louis.

• Paxten Aaronson is returning to Subaru Park with Eintracht Frankfurt coming to the U.S. to take on the Union in August.

• Penn State crashed Temple’s spring season on Saturday with a 4-1 win in exhibition play. Don Robson has photos from the match.

• Bryn Athyn’s NCAA Division III soccer programs are being shuttered along with 9 other sports teams in a cost-saving move by the school.

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