Damiani earned second MLS Player of the Matchday honor for 2026
Philadelphia Union forward Bruno Damiani was voted the Major League Soccer Player of the Matchday presented by Michelob ULTRA for Matchday 30 of the 2026 MLS season.
Damiani scored twice and added an assist in the Union’s 3-1 road comeback victory over Chicago Fire FC on Wednesday night. The goals were Damiani’s 10th and 11th in the 2026 MLS regular season, marking his first double-digit goal season for Philadelphia. It was also Damiani’s third multi-goal game in 2026, which is tied for the second most in a single season in Union history. With the win, Philadelphia became the third team in the post-shootout era to win eight consecutive regular-season matches, while also extending their unbeaten streak to 14 matches. Thanks to Damiani’s goal contributions, the Union won for the fifth time this season after trailing at halftime, becoming only the third team in the post-shootout era to do so.
With the Union trailing in the second half, Damiani provided a backheel assist to Milan Iloski on the game-tying goal in the 49th minute. Damiani then put the Union in front six minutes later as 17-year-old star Cavan Sullivan drove into the 18-yard box and picked out Damiani, who tapped home a finish from close range. The Uruguayan forward completed the comeback in the 67th minute as he drove toward the Chicago defense and rifled a low shot past the goalkeeper to seal the 3-1 victory.
This is the second time Damiani has been named MLS Player of the Matchday this season after previously taking home the honor on Matchday 25. Union players have won four of the last six MLS Player of the Matchday awards, with three different players earning the honor (Damiani, Milan Iloski, and Cavan Sullivan).
Damiani and Philadelphia will look to clinch an Audi MLS Cup Playoffs berth when they host Charlotte FC at Subaru Park on Saturday, October 17 (2:30 p.m. ET, MLS on Apple TV).
The MLS Player of the Matchday presented by Michelob ULTRA is selected each matchday of the regular season through both media and fan voting in a process conducted by MLS Communications. A panel of journalists from the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) comprises 75 percent of the vote, while an Instagram fan vote represents the remaining 25 percent of voting. NASR consists of members of print, television, radio, and online media.
