Three different goal scorers lifted Philadelphia Union to a 3-1 victory over Red Bull New York in the club's return to MLS action.
Playing in their first match in 59 days due to the FIFA World Cup break, the Boys in Blue made the most of an emotional night that saw the return of Kai Wagner, Quinn Sullivan and the coaching debut under Interim Head Coach Ryan Richter.Â
The squad showed renewed confidence with Milan Iloski, Indiana Vassilev and Neil Pierre finding the back of the net to lead the squad to its first three points in front of the Union faithful in 2026.Â
The Union wasted little time igniting the rivalry, opening the scoring in the ninth minute through Milan Iloski. Red Bull New York responded before halftime with an equalizer from Cade Cowell, sending the sides into the break level at one goal apiece.
Philadelphia regained control shortly after the restart. Indiana Vassilev restored the Union's advantage in the 57th minute, and less than 10 minutes later substitute Neil Pierre delivered a memorable moment, scoring his first Major League Soccer goal to double the lead and send the Subaru Park faithful into celebration.
The Union remained organized defensively over the closing stages, limiting Red Bull New York's chances while seeing out the rivalry victory. The win marked a successful return to league play following the summer break and gave the Boys in Blue three valuable points in front of their home supporters.
Philadelphia Union continues their six-game home stand this weekend as they host the Seattle Sounders. The match will be the club's DOOPMas in July celebration with fans in attendence celebrating the best time of the year five months ahead of the holiday season. Tickets for the July 25th contest can be purchased online by clicking here.
How The Match Unfolded
LINEUP NOTES
The Philadelphia Union's starting lineup against Red Bull New York marked Ryan Richter's first as interim Head Coach, and he had his entire squad to choose from, with the exception of Olwethu Makhanya who's away from the club for personal reasons. The rest of his group was healthy and available for selection, including Kai Wagner, who landed in Philadelphia from England less than one week ago.Â
On Friday, the club announced that the German defender, who spent seven years of his professional career with the Union, had re-signed with the club after seven months with Birmingham City. On Wednesday night, he was in Richter's XI, rejoining the backline at left back opposite Frankie Westfield on the right. Nathan Harriel shifted to centerback, paired with Japhet Sery Larsen.
Coming off a summer starting in three matches for Haiti in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Danley Jean Jacques was back in the midfield, with Jovan Lukic, Indiana Vassilev, and Cavan Sullivan. Milan Iloski and Bruno Damianis started up top.
As expected, three-time Goalkeeper of the Year Andre Blake opened the match between the posts sporting the armband, while Andrew Rick, who spent the summer as a training goalkeeper with the USMNT during their run to the Round of 16, started on the bench.
Next to the Homegrown keeper on the sidelines sat Neil Pierre back from his loan in Denmark, Geiner Martinez, Alejandro Bedoya, Ben Bender, Jesus Bueno, Ezekiel Alladoh, and Agustin Anello.Â
The most notable on the bench was Quinn Sullivan, who appeared on the matchday roster for the first time since suffering an ACL injury in September on the road against D.C. United.Â
1', Fans welcome Union home | After more than two months without an MLS match at Subaru Park, Union fans welcomed the team back with energy -- cheering especially loud when Public Address Announcer Kevin Casey announced Wagner's name in the XI. From the crowd noise, to the packed seats, and a fan streamer stunt during the team's kickoff anthem, fans were clearly happy to be back in the team's home stadium.
3', Union attack early | Using the atmosphere to their advantage, the Boys in Blue found two early chances -- the second of which was nearly an opening goal. Iloski passed to Westfield across the box for an 1v1 with the New York's keeper, Ethan Horvath, but he placed his shot just right of the post.Â
10', Union goal! |Â Philly's first goal of the summer came in the 10th minute by way of a cross from none other than Wagner. He reminded the league of his lethal left foot with a pass into the box that was bobbled by Horvath, allowing an attentive Iloski to find it for a shot to open the scoring. When he hit the back of the net, the enitre XI met him in the corner to clebrate, including Andre Blake, who sprinted the length of the field from the opposite goal to huddle up with his teammates for the moment.
19', Brick wall Blake | A leaping effort from Blake to divert the ball over the net and keep New York from capitalzing on a corner opportunity executed by Emil Forsberg.
23', Sullivan strike | A powerful free kick shot from distance rom the youngest Sullivan was close to doubling the lead, but Horvath made the save.
34', Iloski chance and corner | An Iloski shot from far outside of the box forced a Horvath dive, giving Philly a corner, but they were unable to capitalize.Â
37', Damiani chance | A pass found Damiani in front of the net, but another save from Horvath prevented another Union goal.
38', Red Bull New York goal |Â The visitors got one back in the 38th minute, leveling the score with a goal from Cade Cowell assisted by Forsberg.
44', Damiani chance | An impressive pass up the field from Danley to Iloski created a promising opportunity to reclaim the lead before halftime, but it was ultimately squandered when the team's #10 passed it to Damiani, who took a shot was again blocked by Horvath.
45', Halftime | Both teams retreated to the locker room for halftime, leaving the field with a goal apiece.Â
50', Union chances | A pair of chances from Danley and a shot from Sullivan that hit the post opened the second half attacking efforts from the Union.Â
54', Blake save! |Â Blake kept the match locked at 1-1, diving to save a powerful shot from the visitor's scoring leader, 18-year-old Julian Hall.Â
56', Union sub | Richter made his first sub of the match just over 10 minutes into the second half, replacing Sery Larsen with Neil Pierre for his first minutes since returning from timeo n loan in Denmark. The appearance marked just his second ever for the Union.Â
57', Vassilev goal | Subaru Park erupted again when Philadelphia Union reclaimed the lead. Thist time, Lukic found Westfield, who crossed the ball into the box toward Vassilev for a one-touched shot and bounce past Horvath, making it 2-1 for Philly.
66', Neil Pierre goal! | In his Subaru Park debut, Pierre capitalized on a corner from Wagner for a header goal -- his first in MLS.
73', Quinn makes his return | With the Boys in Blue leading by two, Subaru Park got to its feet as homegrown Quinn Sullivan made his return to the pitch after a 298 day recovery from an ACL tear.
85', Union subs | Richter made two changes with five minutes remaining sending in Ezekiel Alladoh and Jesus Bueno in place of Iloski and Cavan Sullivan.
