SA’s Bradley Carnell and Olwethu Makhanya shine as Philadelphia Union clinch MLS Supporters’ Shield

Philadelphia Union were on Saturday crowned as the winners of the Major League Soccer Supporters’ Shield after finishing first in the overall standings.

The club are under the guidance of former Bafana Bafana and Kaizer Chiefs star Bradley Carnell, while ex-Stellenbosch FC defender Olwethu Makhanya is one of their regular starters.

The 48-year-old Carnell joined the club at the beginning of the season and was appointed to bring some improvement to the club that finished 23rd in last season’s overall standings, which also saw them miss out on the play-offs.

Under Carnell, the club won 20 of their 33 games played, drawing seven and losing only six. As a result, he has now picked up his first piece of silverware in his coaching career in the United States, which began in 2017 when he was appointed as New York Red Bulls’ assistant coach.

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Former Stellies star Makhanya has also been quietly making a name for himself after being promoted from the club’s development team. The Durban-born 21-year-old moved to the United States after impressing for the Cape Winelands side in the Betway Premiership between 2022 and 2023.

A clip of the youngster expertly holding his ground against global football icon Lionel Messi went viral earlier this year.

Despite his form for Philadelphia, Makhanya is yet to be called up to the national team by Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos.

Carnell’s triumph with Philadelphia Union is a statement about the growing influence of South African football talent abroad. For both Carnell and Makhanya, this achievement is just the beginning of what promises to be an exciting journey abroad.

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