Philadelphia Union saw a first-half lead slip away in heartbreaking fashion, falling 2-1 to the New England Revolution on Saturday night at Gillette Stadium.
The Union struck first in the 37th minute when pressure from Milan Iloski forced an own goal by New England defender Will Sands. Philadelphia carried the advantage into halftime and continued to generate chances early in the second half before Luca Langoni equalized for the hosts in the 61st minute.
The match appeared headed toward a draw until New England found a dramatic late winner late in the match, stealing all three points in Foxborough and snapping Philadelphia’s five-match unbeaten run.
Philadelphia Union continues its three game week on Wednesday night as they take on Orlando City SC on Wednesday night. Kick off from Florida is set for 7:30PM with coverage on Apple TV.
How The Match Unfolded
LINEUP NOTES
Head Coach Bradley Carnell’s starting XI for Saturday’s match against New England was one that promoted consistency as the team’s only change was the addition of Geiner Martinez, who made his first Major League Soccer start. One week earlier, the 23-year-old defender played a strong shift off the bench when he replaced an injured Japhet Sery Larsen in 15th minute of the team’s draw against Nashville SC at Subaru Park, and With Sery Larsen still unable to play, Martinez was paired with Makhanya at centerback from the jump. As for the rest of the backline, Nathan Harriel and Frankie Westfield started on the outside, protecting Andre Blake in goal.Â
Danley Jean Jacques and Jovan Lukic were the double sixes as usual, in the midfield with Indiana Vassilev and Cavan Sullivan, who earned his third consecutive start. Up top, Milan Iloski and Ezekiel Alladoh were the chosen attacking duo for a second straight match.
Andrew Rick was the backup keeper on the bench, sitting alongside Bruno Damiani, Alejandro Bedoya, Jeremy Rafanello, Ben Bender, Agustin Anello, Malik Jakupovic, Olivier Mbaizo, and Finn Sundstrom.
9', Sullivan gets involved early | Alladoh found Sullivan for a strong run up the left side in the 9th minute, with the young midfielder sending it back toward his new teammate in the box. His pass was intercepted by opposing defenders, and while Danley regained possession for Philly, he took a shot that sailed over the net.
20', Scoreless 30 minutes | Philadelphia Union earned three corner opportunities in the opening 30 minutes, but they were unable to capitalize leaving the match level.Â
31', Union sub | Frankie Westfield was forced to leave the match with an injury, and in his first outing on an MLS matchday roster since October 2025.Â
34', Yellow card | Jovan Lukic was shown the first card discipline of the night for a foul on Carles Gil.Â
37', Philly takes the lead! |Â In an effort to stifle a run from behind by Milan Iloski chasing down a long ball from Olwethu Makhanya, Revolution right back Will Sands cleared the ball into the net, scoring an own goal to make it 1-0.
45+', Lukic chance | A backheeled pass out of traffic from Iloski set up Lukic for a blast from distance, but his attempt when just over. A few seconds later the midfielder was joined in the referee's book by Vassilev for a foul on Dor Turgeman.
61', New England equalize | Philly found the first four shots of the second half, including an open tap-in in front of the net from Alladoh saved by Matt Turner, but it was a shot from Luca Langoni assisted by Carles Gil that opened second half scoring.Â
62', Union subs | After the goal, Carnell made a pair of attacking changes to his group, replacing Alladoh and Iloski with Damiani and Anello.
73', Final Union changes | The final substitutions for Carnello saw a mix of veteran leadership and youth with Alejandro Bedoya and 16-year-old homegrown Malik Jakupovic entering in place of Sullivan and Vassilev.
85', Yellow Card | With five minutes remaining, Anello was booked for a hard challenge on Will Sands.Â
86', New England makes it 2-1 | The comeback Revs grabbed the lead in the waning moments with a quick finish from Carles Gil who scored for the first time in 17 matches against the Union.
90+', Stoppage Time | Five minutes were added to the contest but the Union were unable to find an equalizer with New England shifting into a five-man backline to close out the match and remain unbeaten at home.
