Bradley Carnell believes the Philadelphia Union's performances have warranted a better points return, as they prepare to welcome D.C. United to Subaru Park on Saturday.

Philadelphia sit fifth in the Eastern Conference after nine games, with five wins, one draw and three defeats in their first campaign under Carnell.

They thrashed Atlanta United 3-0 last time out to halt a run of three games without a victory, but Carnell was never in any doubt they would return to winning ways.

"We don't necessarily look month by month, we sort of look in blocks and sequences, so we're approaching the end of that phase now," Carnell said.

"Winning games helps momentum, it helps the vibe and the feeling around the cap. We have always thought we were on the right track.

"Even before the last game, when we didn't get the results and had a tie here or there, you could see the intention that we set out with."

D.C. were also victorious last time out, earning an impressive 2-1 road win over the New York Red Bulls to ease the pressure on head coach Troy Lesesne.

Lesesne's team are 13th in the East with nine points from nine games, and Carnell expects to face a team transformed this week.

"They've weathered a storm and they've trended really well in the last two games," Carnell said.

"They got that victory against the Red Bulls away, so we all know how good that camp will be feeling right now.

"I think that's been a talking point, but for us, it's all just about making sure we know what we're coming up against."

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

Philadelphia Union – Mikael Uhre

Uhre has scored five regular-season goals against D.C. United, more than he has scored against any other MLS opponent. 

Three of those goals have been scored in three home matches against United.

D.C. United – Lucas Bartlett

D.C. United held 32.5% of the possession in their win over the Red Bulls last week, the team's lowest share of possession in a regular-season win since keeping 27.4% of the ball in a victory over Orlando City in July 2022.

Bartlett has completed a team-high 482 passes this campaign, but D.C. have conceded 19 goals in nine matches, so the centre-back will hope to make the difference off the ball. 

MATCH PREDICTION – PHILADELPHIA UNION WIN

D.C. United's victory over the Red Bulls last week was their sixth win in their last 10 regular-season away matches. 

Their six away wins are tied for the most in MLS (with Columbus Crew, Inter Miami and Minnesota United) since that run began on July 17 last year.

However, they are outsiders for this one. Philadelphia have kept clean sheets in three straight home matches, including in their 3-0 win over Atlanta United last time out. The

Union had kept just three clean sheets in their previous 12 home league matches.

The Union are also unbeaten in 13 straight home matches against D.C. (W11 D2), keeping clean sheets in the last four meetings. The Union have outscored D.C. 31-6 in this run.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Philadelphia Union – 62.2%

D.C. United – 17.8%

Draw – 20%