Former Orlando Pirates assistant coach Bradley Carnell has guided Major League Soccer side Philadelphia Union FC to an unwanted piece of record in their start to the 2026 season.
After losing 2-1 away at Charlotte FC on Sunday, it was a sixth consecutive league defeat for Carnell’s side. It is the worst start to the MLS season by a side that has won the Supporters’ Shield the previous term.
Making matters worse, Philadelphia Union has not tasted victory in their last seven games across all competitions. It is a run of form that could pile pressure on former Kaizer Chiefs left-back Carnell.
On Sunday, ex-Stellenbosch centre-back Olwethu Makhanya played the whole match but witnessed his side fail to collect maximum points. The 21-year-old has been ever-present this season, featuring in every minute in the MLS for Philadelphia Union.
But the difficult run of form appears to have affected his season, and that could work against him in Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos considering him for his 2026 FIFA World Cup squad.
CARNELL SKATING ON THIN ICE AS EX-BAFANA DEFENDER ADMITS TEAM’S ‘FRAGILITY’
“It’s totally understandable in a situation like we are in for us to be fragile. But I don’t see us giving up, I don’t see a team that is not committed,” Carnell told journalists after Sunday’s match.
“I don’t see a team that’s not creating [chances to score], and I don’t see a team that’s not trying. So, everything we have asked from the boys, they are fighting to the bitter end.
“I feel for them, we feel for them. You only get what you deserve, and right now it’s just a few per cent of the fine margins that’s not going away. We don’t get the reward.
“So, again, we cannot drag our feet. As I said, we just have to accept that we are where we are right now, and this is who we are right now. But having said that, we have to make sure that we get up and go because for me, [next match against] Montreal, we have to go at them. This is a crucial game coming up, in my opinion.”
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