Looking Ahead | Philadelphia Union's busy return to play

Thanks World, we’ll take it from here!

Following an exciting summer of World Cup action in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, MLS returns to the spotlight as the 2026 season resumes. The Philadelphia Union return to action with a rivalry showdown against Red Bull New York on Wednesday evening at Subaru Park, limited tickets remain so click here so you don’t miss the action at Subaru Park!

The Boys in Blue’s return features a congested slate of seven total matches, including three Leagues Cup group stage games. With the World Cup behind us, here’s a breakdown of the Philadelphia Union’s upcoming busy stretch as they emerge from their summer break.

Home Sweet Home

Philadelphia Union will host six straight home matches – three in league play and three in Leagues Cup. The season resumes with a new leader at the helm, playing their first match under interim Head Coach Ryan Richter at Subaru Park on July 22nd. Richter, a former Union player, first team assistant, and most recently Union II head coach took over the first team role at the end of May, leading the team alongside newly promoted Sporting Director Jon Scheer.

After a challenging start to the season, which saw the team at the bottom of the league table with one win, four draws, and 10 losses for 18 total points, the Boys in Blue are eager to build momentum immediately in front of home fans on the riverfront.

Philadelphia Union kick off their return to play with Rivalry Night – a highly anticipated home clash against I-95 rivals Red Bull New York.

Over the offseason, Red Bull appointed Michael Bradley, former USMNT and MLS midfielder as their new Head Coach. Six months before he got the first team gig, Bradley took over the club’s MLS NEXT Pro side, Red Bulls II, marking his first professional head coaching position. During his lone season in charge of the second team, he guided the youthful squad to the MLS NEXT Pro Championship. 

Since stepping into the first team job, Bradley has led his team to six wins, four draws, and five losses, sitting 5th in the Eastern Conference rankings. A pair of young strikers in 18-year-old Julian Hall and 24-year-old Jorge Ruvalcaba have become significant contributors this season, combining for 16 goals so far in 2026. In their final match before the World Cup break, Ruvalcaba secured a brace in the team’s 2-1 victory over Sporting Kansas City.

The Union will host Seattle Sounders on Saturday, July 25th for the first time since the infamous 2024 rain game that, once rescheduled, unfolded into a 3-2 clash at Subaru Park. Quite a bit has changed for both sides since then, so this cross-conference head-to-head will be a clean slate competition. Led by longtime head coach Brian Schmetzer, Seattle’s current record is five wins, three draws, and five losses, placing them sixth in the Western Conference standings.

27-year-old Seattle native Paul Rothrock has emerged as one of the Sounders’ most impactful attackers, scoring four goals on the season. The squad also gained some new faces, signing Hassani Dotson from Minnesota United and Nikola Petković from Charlotte FC. 

Last summer, Sounders added another trophy to their collection, lifting the Leagues Cup trophy after defeating Inter Miami CF in which they became the first MLS club to win all five North American trophies.

Sitting just above the Philadelphia Union in the Eastern Conference table, Atlanta will travel to Subaru Park for the Union’s first match of August. In their first meeting of the season back in March, the Five Stripes claimed a 3-1 victory with goals from Emmanuel Latte Lath, Tomás Jacob, and Aleksei Miranchuk. 

Atlanta entered the World Cup break with three wins, two draws, and 9 losses. The return of storied Head Coach Tata Martino was lackluster, but Atlanta United, like the Union, could be one of the teams that benefits most from the pause from play. 

The club made a major signing on July 13th, adding defender Júnior Alonso to the roster. Alonso recently was part of Paraguay’s 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign, helping the team advance to the Round of 16 where they ultimately lost 1-0 to France on July 4th in Philadelphia.

The left-back joins Atlanta after spending his two previous club seasons with Atlético Mineiro of Brazil’s Serie A. Alonso has made 422 professional appearances, scored nine goals, and completed 15 assists throughout his career so far.

The fourth-ever edition of Leagues Cup kicks off in August, with the Union’s campaign beginning on Thursday, August 6th against Cruz Azul, led by Head Coach Joel Huiqui. 

Philadelphia Union will make their return to the tournament for the first time since 2024 against a competitive opponent featuring South American midfielders José Paradela and Gabriel Fernández, who lead the way having scored a combined 26 goals in their previous season.

For the first time in MLS history, the Philadelphia Union will take on Club Necaxa, hosting the Mexican side for their second Leagues Cup match on Sunday, August 9th at Subaru Park. This is one for longtime Union faithful to circle on their summer calendars, as former Union striker Julian Carranza will make his return to Subaru Park for the first time since departing the club in 2024. 

Carranza spent three seasons with the Philadelphia Union, recording 34 goals and 13 assists across all competitions, most notably playing an integral role in the club’s historic 2022 season that culminated in an MLS Cup Final against LAFC. He made the move to Europe in June 2024, signing with Eredivisie side Feyenoord, competing and scoring in the UEFA Champions League. After a stop at Leicester City on loan, he made his way to the Mexican powerhouse owned by Eva Longoria.

Managed by Martín Varini, opened the 2026 Apertura season with a 2-1 win featuring a penalty goal from Carranza and a game-winner from Miguel Misael Pedroza Aguilar.

Santos Laguna will be the Union's final opponent in the Leagues Cup group stage, visiting Subaru Park on August 13th. Sitting 15th in the Liga MX standings, this duel will be a competitive one to watch. A staple player defensively and a valued captain in between the goalposts is Los Guerreros’ Carlos Acevedo. Acevedo joined the squad in the reserves for Mexico’s tournament campaign in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, helping bring them to the Round of 16.

A recent addition to the squad is defender Felipe Sánchez. The young centerback, who recently joined on loan from Bundesliga side Schalke 04, will look to strengthen Santos Laguna's back line.

The Union’s first road match after the World Cup break will be a quick bus trip north on I-95 to take on New York City FC. The Pigeons entered the World Cup break at eighth in the Eastern Conference with five wins, four draws, and six losses. With former Union homegrown goalkeeper Matt Freese coming back from his time with the USMNT and midfielder James Sands returning to the squad from a loan, the Pigeons have a solid foundation on the pitch as they prepare for this match. 

Philly opened their home calendar with a 2-1 loss to NYCFC in March. With New York City FC’s Hannes Wolf scoring in the 36th minute and a late equalizer in the 89th from Indiana Vassilev, the match nearly ended in a draw, but in stoppage time, New York City’s Tayvon Gray scored a game-winner.

It’s always a show when the superstars come to town, and Philadelphia Union’s match against Inter Miami will be no different as Lionel Messi, Rodrigo De Paul, and their international cast visit Subaru Park on August 19th.

In their final match before the World Cup, Philadelphia Union lost 6-4 to Miami at their brand-new Nu Stadium in the Sunshine State. While it didn’t end in Philly's favor, the match was a historic one. The Union and Inter Miami combined for eight goals in the opening 45 minutes, setting the MLS record for the most goals scored in the first half of a league match. Three of which were scored by Union forward Milan Iloski. 

Sitting fourth in the Eastern Conference before the break with four wins, three draws, and six losses, Miami continues to dominate in the league. If their first meeting was any indication, this upcoming rematch will be one to watch for fans of the Union and the sport as a whole.

Philly’s first road trip after the break comes on August 22nd – Austin FC will host the cross-conference match at Q2 Stadium. Sitting at 14th place in the Western Conference before the World Cup break, this match will be a battle between two teams eager to add points after a strugglesome start to the season. 

Big news out of Austin this summer – the club hired former Union head coach Jim Curtin to lead the squad. The Verde & Black are making intentional moves toward improvement, also signing winger Przemysław Płacheta. While Curtin won’t officially begin his new role until the conclusion of the 2026 season, Austin FC players will likely be keen to impress their new manager in the final months before he takes over. 

Before the break, Austin FC had a record of three wins, seven losses, and five draws in 15 matches, struggling immensely in a 5-0 loss against San Diego FC and a 2-1 loss to Sporting Kansas City, leaving the club third from the bottom of the Supporters' Shield standings. Albanian forward Myrto Uzuni leads the team with five goals and two assists.

August concludes with the second and final rivalry showdown between the Union and Red Bull New York, this time in New Jersey. Closing out August with a win on the road could spark momentum as they head into the remainder of 2026 MLS play.