After 104 unforgettable matches across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, Spain have been crowned FIFA World Cup Champions. While the tournament is now over, the summer of soccer is just getting started as MLS returns to the spotlight, resuming the 2026 season.
Philadelphia Union will return to play on Wednesday, July 22nd at Subaru Park, hosting Red Bull New York for their first of six straight home matches on the riverfront.
The Boys in Blue entered the World Cup break at the bottom of the MLS table with just seven points after a strugglesome start that saw the team earn one win, four draws, and ten losses.
Those first 15 matches were far from the club’s standard, so during the break, they made major changes, promoting Jon Scheer to Sporting Director and former Union player, assistant, and second team coach Ryan Richter to interim Head Coach
Under their leadership, the club opened the summer transfer window with a significant signing, welcoming Philadelphia Union all-time assist leader Kai Wagner back to the City of Brotherly Love after seven months in the English Championship with Birmingham City.
He’s not the only familiar face that’ll reinforce the squad – Quinn Sullivan will be available for the match for the first time since September when he suffered an ACL tear on the road against D.C. United.
After months of hard work in the gym and on the pitch alongside Head of Health and Innovation Brad Papson, it's possible the 22-year-old Homegrown midfielder could earn minutes as soon as Wednesday.
As for the rest of team availability Richter expects the entire group to be available for selection, with the exception of Olwethu Makhanya who is away from the team for personal reasons.
The refreshed Union squad will take on a Red Bull New York side led by first year Head Coach Michael Bradley – a former USMNT and MLS midfielder who most recently guided the club’s MLS Next Pro side to a trophy last season. He took over the New York first team role in the offseason, and since then they've earned a spot at 5th in the East with six wins, five losses, and four ties.
Two young forwards have emerged as the team’s top contributors – 18-year-old Julian Hall has recorded nine goals and four assists, while 24-year-old Jorge Ruvalcaba has scored seven.
The match will be the both teams' first since the World Cup began, but it will also mark Philly's first under Head Coach Ryan Richter. In his opening pre-match press conference at the helm on Monday, the Bucks County, Pennsylvania native shared what this opportunity means to him.
“It's one that I'm very grateful for. One that I've worked for a long time for as a part of this club,” Richter said,.
“I'm grateful for the mentors that I've had in my almost nine years working here. I'm grateful for the people that have pushed me, and mostly all the players from every level, the ones that I've worked with, over this time. There's too many people to thank for me to go through the list. But first I represent my family. I represent Southampton. I represent the club. I represent Philadelphia, and then of course, all the people in the club that I've worked with that have been great to me over the last nine years.”
To support the Boys in Blue as they begin their battle back up the standings, click here for tickets, or tune in to watch on Apple TV!
