Bradley Carnell Tactics At Philadelphia Union 2025: Red Bull DNA Thriving In MLS – Tactical Analysis

Major League Soccer, particularly the Eastern Conference, has garnered considerable media attention over the past couple of years.

That has had a bit more to do with superstars like David Beckham and Lionel Messi working and playing in the league than with the actual quality of football.

Nevertheless, it has been getting more attention than ever.

But 17 games into the 2025 season, star-studded Inter Miami isn’t leading the MLS Eastern Conference.

Instead, Philadelphia Union is currently at the top of the table there.

While this success may look short-term, Philadelphia Union is actually a long-term project and has been in the top five of their Conference for a long time.

Last year, after a disappointing season, the club released long-time manager Jim Curtin after nine years.

Sporting director Ernst Tanner, who has been at the club since 2018, then searched for a successor.

The 58-year-old German is a seasoned professional with previous experience at clubs such as 1899 Hoffenheim and Red Bull Salzburg, where he headed the renowned academy in Liefering.

Another key person at the club is assistant coach Frank Leicht, who previously worked for Eintracht Frankfurt and RB Leipzig.

With both key figures having a Red Bull-infused past, it was no surprise that they sought precisely this type of DNA in a new manager.

Ultimately, Bradley Carnell was named the new head coach.

Carnell previously managed St Louis City SC in the MLS and had served as an assistant manager for the New York Red Bulls under Jesse Marsch and Gerhard Struber.

With their new coach and long-running Red Bull DNA, the club is now setting the league on fire.

In this tactical analysis, we will examine Bradley Carnell tactics that he has brought to Philadelphia and how they are dominating the MLS Eastern Conference with their Red Bull playstyle.

Listen to this article free on the Total Football Analysis Podcast via Spotify, Apple Podcast, or RSS.

Not Afraid Of The Long Ball

Philadelphia Union is not usually playing like you would expect a top team to play.

Most good teams dominate their games with possession, precision passing, and good positional play, but Bradley Carnells team has absolutely none of that.

On average, the Philadelphia Union has less possession compared to its opponents and does not play a high number of short passes compared to the rest of the MLS.

Just like the Red Bull teams around the globe, Carnell’s identity as a coach consists of fast-paced attacks, a high tempo in their games and a very aggressive counter-pressing approach.

The South African values direct play.

His team tries to be as vertical as possible and covers distance with as few passes as possible.

Here, we can see a situation in their build-up phase: Philadelphia Union tried to play through their full-backs but was pressed very well by LAFC.

The team struggles significantly under pressure, and the situation near the sideline is not very good for them at all.

Wi