Union must manage unprecedented schedule with depth and prioritization

The Philadelphia Union enter the 2023 MLS season as one of the favorites to lift MLS Cup after returning the entire starting XI from the team that just reached the final in November.

The road to next November, and a return to the biggest stage, is a long one, filled with double-edged opportunities – the Union have three other competitions to contend in, or with, depending on what their priorities are.

The Union have been extremely successful by their own or league-wide standards under Jim Curtin, but the only silverware they can claim is a Supporters’ Shield in the 2020 season, impacted by COVID-19. Firstly, I’m not here to relitigate the merit of that Shield, like Bruce Arena wanted to do…