SouthernWorldwide.com – The Philadelphia Union has made a significant coaching change, parting ways with Bradley Carnell, who was named the 2025 MLS Coach of the Year. This decision comes after a disappointing first half of the season for the club, prompting a major organizational revamp.
Simultaneously, Jon Scheer has been elevated from interim to full-time Sporting Director. The status of former Director Ernst Tanner within the club remains uncertain.
Carnell’s dismissal follows a remarkable turnaround in 2025, where he guided the budget-conscious Union back to the playoffs and secured the Supporters’ Shield, a stark contrast to their absence in 2024.
However, the offseason saw substantial player movement. Key figures, including their top scorer Tai Baribo, who has since joined D.C. United, departed the club.
Despite these departures and an injury to star playmaker Quinn Sullivan, the Union were still anticipated to be a competitive force this season.
Instead, the team has struggled significantly. They are currently the sole MLS club with fewer than ten points, accumulating just seven. Their offense has been particularly anemic, scoring only 18 goals in 15 matches, with four of those coming in their most recent outing.
“I want to extend my gratitude to the fans, players, staff, and everyone associated with this club for their unwavering support and dedication during my tenure,” Carnell stated.
“I am immensely proud of our collective achievements and cherish the relationships and memories forged. My sincere thanks to my staff and, especially, the players for their relentless effort and commitment through both triumphs and adversities. You motivated me daily, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of this team.
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This marks the second instance in Carnell’s coaching career where a strong start has been followed by a steep decline. He previously led St. Louis City SC to the top of the Western Conference in their inaugural season, only for the team to falter during their second campaign.
The Union have also implemented a significant leadership change, with Scheer now slated to lead soccer operations as the club’s permanent Sporting Director.
He succeeds Tanner, who was suspended by MLS subsequent to an investigation into alleged offensive and discriminatory remarks.
Prior to this controversy, Tanner was widely recognized as one of the league’s premier sporting directors, consistently keeping Philadelphia competitive despite the club’s typically modest payroll.
Scheer, a long-standing member of the Union since 2018, is highly respected within the organization.
“Jon has consistently displayed strong leadership qualities, a profound understanding of our club’s ethos, and a clear vision for the future of the Philadelphia Union,” remarked Jay Sugarman, Principal Owner of the Philadelphia Union, in a statement.
“As we embark on a new chapter for the organization, we are confident in Jon’s capacity to guide our sporting operations and steer us back on course with a culture rooted in development, ambition, and enduring success.”
“I am honored to assume the role of Sporting Director for the Philadelphia Union and wish to express my appreciation to our ownership group, as well as the mentors, colleagues, and staff members who have supported me throughout my journey with the organization,” Scheer added in his statement.
“This club has cultivated a robust identity built on development, hard work, and a winning mentality, and I fully grasp the responsibility that comes with championing that vision. I am committed to driving the Union back to the standards our supporters, organization, and community expect.”
Ryan Richter will step in as the club’s interim coach while the search for a new permanent head coach is underway.
“Although the search for a new head coach commences immediately, we have complete faith in Ryan’s ability to guide the team through this transition, given his familiarity with the players and his strong commitment to the club’s philosophy and playing style,” stated Sugarman.
Richter possesses deep connections with the Union, having initially joined the club as the fifth overall pick in the 2011 MLS Supplemental Draft.
Following a seven-year professional playing career, he returned to Philadelphia in 2018 and progressed through various coaching positions within the organization. He served as the first team’s assistant head coach from 2022 to 2024 before being appointed head coach of Union II in January 2025.
The team is scheduled to resume play after MLS’s World Cup break on July 22.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026. Hosted across three nations, the tournament will conclude with the final on July 19 at the New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. All 104 tournament matches will be broadcast live across FOX (70 games) and FS1 (34 games), with every match available for live streaming and on-demand viewing within both the FOX One and the FOX Sports app. A record 40 matches, exceeding one-third of the total, will be aired in prime time across FOX (21 games) and FS1 (19 games).
The opening match on June 11 between Mexico and South Africa (3 p.m. ET) will be streamed for free on Tubi, as will the United States’ opening match against Paraguay on June 12 (9 p.m. ET).
