Philadelphia Union saw its home opener end with a 2-1 loss to rivals New York City FC on Sunday evening at Subaru Park.
The two Eastern Conference rivals played to yet another tight affair with New York City FC’s Hannes Wolf scoring on the rebound after Union goalkeeper Andre Blake made a diving save to deny Nicolás Fernández in the 36th minute.
Philly battled back and equalized in the 89th minute via a goal from Indiana Vassilev to level the match at 1-1 before New York's Tayvon Gray found the game-winning during the match's 10 minutes of stoppage time.Â
Philadelphia Union continues its homestand at Subaru Park next weekend as they host San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, March 7th. The match will serve as the club's U-Serve Night, presented by Bimbo Bakeries USA where the club will spotlight volunteerism by recognizing outstanding U-Serve members. Tickets for the match can be purchased by clicking here.
How The Match Unfolded
Head Coach Bradley Carnell’s home-opening lineup featured a pair of new signings in Japhet Sery Larsen and Agustin Anello, who made their very first Subaru Park start.Â
Andre Blake was back between the posts, protected by a backline with Olwethu Makhanya and Sery paired at centerback plus Nathan Harriel and Frankie Westfield playing outside back. Jovan Lukic made his 2026 MLS season debut, returning to league play from injury to bolster the midfield with Danley Jean Jacques, Indiana Vassilev, and Milan Iloski. With club-record signing Ezekiel Alladoh out with a red card, Anello started with Bruno Damiani as the attacking duo up top.
Homegrown keeper Andrew Rick returned to the bench after playing in Philly’s Concacaf Champions Cup match against Defence Force, sitting alongside Geiner Martinez, Alejandro Bedoya, Ben Bender, Jesus Bueno, Jeremy Raffaello, Cavan Sullivan, Stas Korzeniowski, and Sal Olivas.Â
9', Corner chance | Philly's first pair of chances came in a two-minute stretch, first with an unsucessful Milan Iloski corner, in the 9th, then a throw-in to Jovan Lukic who found Danley Jean Jacques for a powerful line drive shot from distance in the 11th that missed just left.
20', NYC Yellow Card |Â Agustin Anello drew the first yellow card of the game, battling with Tayvon Gray down the left sideline, earning his team a free kick and corner chance.Â
23' Philly Yellow Card | Makhanya was shown the first Philly discipline, fouling Maxi Moralez.Â
26', Post! | New York City nearly claimed the lead in the 26th when Keaton Parks found AgustÃn Ojeda 1v1 with Frankie Westfield in the box. The winger got a shot off past Blake but hit the right post, keeping the match level.Â
29', Brick Wall Blake | Andre Blake made a major save when Kevin O'Toole found a header off NYC's first corner of the night.Â
34', He does it again! | Blake came up big again making a massive save when Fernández found Hannes Wolf for a pass to O'Toole in front of net, first diving to block his shot then grabbing possession.
36', NYC goal | Wolf scored the first of the match, scoring of an initial Blake block from a Fernández shot from the left side of the box.
Halftime | Philadelphia Union entered the locker room down 1-0.
59', Union subs | After another scoreless 15 minutes of play for the Union to open the second half, Carnell made his first changes, sending on Ben Bender and Stas Korzeniowski to replace Westfield and Anello. A natural midfielder, Bender replaced Westfield at right back opposite Harriel.
60', Stas shot | A minute into his first MLS shift at Subaru Park, Korzeniowski took a shot with his left from the left side of the box but his attempt was saved by Matt Freese.
66', VAR Check | The officials consulted video review of a possible penalty on Lukic in the box but no foul was found.
81', Union nearly find equalier | Bender with a run up the left side and cuts a cross across the NYCFC net. After Stas just missing directing it home, Harriel came out of no where for a right-footed blast but former Union homegrown Matt Freese made the save.
83', Union subs | With less than 10 minutes left in the match, Carnell made another pair of changes with Cavan Sullivan replacing Milan Iloski and Sal Olivas coming on for Bruno Damiani.
85', Union keep pushing | Determined to find the equalizer in front of the Union faithful, the Boys in Blue were again on the verge of making it 1-1 but were kept searching after strong defense from Freese after Korzeniowski showcased his strength in the box to battle two defenders before the ball fell to Harriel for a pair of shots.
87', Penalty to the Union | Korzeniowski's determination was rewarded with just a few minutes left as he was fouled by Thiago Martins at the top of the box with the referee immediately pointing to the penalty spot.
89', Vassilev levels it |Â After a lengthy stoppage midfielder Indiana Vassilev stepped up to the spot and smashed it into the back of the net to send Subaru Park to their feet for the club's league goal of 2026.
90+', Union go down to 10 men | Shortly after it was announced that 10 minutes would be added to the contest, Philly found itself down a man as Olwethu Makhanya was shown a second yellow card and ejected.
90+', NYCFC grab the winner | The Cityzens grabbed all three points at the death as Tayvon Gray headed a cross from AgustÃn Ojeda into the grass and past Blake for the three points.
