Since the break for the World Cup a mere two months ago, the Philadelphia Union have turned everything around. From a team that just couldn't get it together earlier in the year to a team that has has lost only once (to FC Dallas on July 4th) since returning from the break - and signed two World Cup veterans in the past week - this is a team that has to be favorites going into the home stretch towards the MLS Playoffs.

Why the Union were so bad

Since almost the start of 2014, the Union made some very puzzling decisions.

Why the Union have been so good

The Union's first good decision wasn't firing John Hackworth (although that was a good one).

Signing Cristian Maidana from Rangers. Cristian who? From Rangers... Chile? The questions evaporated the first time we saw Chaco take the pitch. With his silky passing and deadly free kicks, the Union's second DP has been one of the best players in MLS this season.

who? From Rangers... Chile? The questions evaporated the first time we saw Chaco take the pitch. With his silky passing and deadly free kicks, the Union's second DP has been one of the best players in MLS this season. Signing Maurice Edu from Stoke. But didn't I say this was a bad move? No. It was puzzling, sure. And giving up so much just to get him was risky. But Mo' has put in an All-Star season and has led the team through some difficult times by being a professional. And the fact that he's on loan means that even if he had turned out to be a bust, he'd be out in next year. The only bad part now is deciding on whether or not he is returning in 2015.

But didn't I say this was a bad move? No. It was puzzling, sure. And giving up so much just to get him was risky. But Mo' has put in an All-Star season and has led the team through some difficult times by being a professional. And the fact that he's on loan means that even if he had turned out to be a bust, he'd be out in next year. The only bad part now is deciding on whether or not he is returning in 2015. Signing Vincent Nogueira from Sochaux. Another "Who? From where?" signing, Nogueira has been the Union's best player this season in my opinion all for under DP money . Although he's been sidelined lately with an injury, I feel like him not getting an All-Star nod is an absolute travesty.



Another "Who? From where?" signing, Nogueira has been the Union's best player this season in my opinion . Although he's been sidelined lately with an injury, I feel like him not getting an All-Star nod is an absolute travesty. Getting rid of Jack McInerney. You read that right. Jack was reportedly a distraction off of the pitch, and wasn't doing much of anything on it. Although Andrew Wenger hasn't exactly set the world on fire, he also hasn't sulked and pouted when he didn't get the ball.



You read that right. Jack was reportedly a distraction off of the pitch, and wasn't doing much of anything on it. Although Andrew Wenger hasn't exactly set the world on fire, he also hasn't sulked and pouted when he didn't get the ball. Firing John Hackworth. John Hackworth is a nice guy. The kind of guy you want to be neighbors with or have as your co-worker. Unfortunately, he's not the guy you want managing your soccer team. Hackworth will almost certainly return to coaching at some point - and that's a good thing. It's just a shame that the Union was his starter team.

John Hackworth is a nice guy. The kind of guy you want to be neighbors with or have as your co-worker. Unfortunately, he's not the guy you want managing your soccer team. Hackworth will almost certainly return to coaching at some point - and that's a good thing. It's just a shame that the Union was his starter team. Conor Casey finding his stride. Is he the same player he was in 2010? No. But he's been good enough to keep the Union in games - and in the playoff hunt. And while the Union may or may not bring someone in to replace Casey, he's been solid over the past couple of months.



Is he the same player he was in 2010? No. But he's been good enough to keep the Union in games - and in the playoff hunt. And while the Union may or may not bring someone in to replace Casey, he's been solid over the past couple of months. Signing Rais M'Bolhi. Didn't I just say we had too many goalkeepers? Yes I did. But M'Bolhi is a commanding figure who is an immediate upgrade over Zac MacMath (and that's not a knock on Zac). Either Zac or Andre will be traded for a decent player, sold for a good sum of money, or loaned to a club where they can mature or develop - and the other gets to learn from a guy who's played in the last two World Cups.

Didn't I just say we had too many goalkeepers? Yes I did. But M'Bolhi is a commanding figure who is an immediate upgrade over Zac MacMath (and that's not a knock on Zac). Either Zac or Andre will be traded for a decent player, sold for a good sum of money, or loaned to a club where they can mature or develop - and the other gets to learn from a guy who's played in the last two World Cups. Bringing back Carlos Valdes. This one is probably more on his agent screwing things up with San Lorenzo (the club in Argentina where he was loaned to), but regardless he's back in Philadelphia and will be that veteran center back that the club has sorely lacked.



Will this be enough to push the Union into the playoffs? Maybe, maybe not. Regardless, this is a team that will determine the playoff fates of a lot of teams - themselves included.