CHESTER, Pa. — On Sunday, the Philadelphia Union kicked off their first home match of MLS play as they hosted NYCFC in another highly anticipated chapter in these two clubs’ storied history.
The match lived up to the hype — a back-and-forth, physical battle one would expect from these two sides, filled with tense moments throughout. However, while Philadelphia clawed their way back after falling behind in the first half to draw the match level — thanks to an Indiana Vassilev penalty kick late in the second half — a 99th-minute goal from Tayvon Gray left the fans at Subaru Park stunned as NYCFC walked away with all three points on the evening, defeating the Union 2-1.
“The guys are not happy, and they’re they disappointed,” said Union head coach Bradley Carnell post match. “They knew this one got away for us. We knew we deserved… and you lost the game, there’s no points, you didn’t deserve anything. But the guys know there was more here for us to be had during the game. And I think if we started the way we played the second half, I think for sure we get a result.”
Philadelphia’s starting eleven was arguably their strongest and most complete of the season, with Andre Blake returning to net after having Thursday evening off. The defensive line featured Frankie Westfield, Japhet Sery Larsen, Olwethu Makhanya, and Nathan Harriel.
The midfield consisted of Jovan Lukic and Danley Jean Jacques at the six, with Agustín Anello paired with Indiana Vassilev in the advanced roles.
Up top, with Ezekiel Alladoh suspended, Milan Iloski featured alongside Bruno Damiani.
The first 15 minutes saw the Union apply heavy pressure on the visitors, cutting off outlets whenever NYCFC attempted to counter. Philadelphia appeared much sharper offensively than they did a week ago against D.C. United.
But NYCFC, to their credit, stuck to their plan of forcing turnovers and quickly transitioning to goal. That nearly paid off in the 26th minute following an Olwethu Makhanya yellow card. Keaton Parks beat Westfield and found Agustín Ojeda wide open in the box, only to see his shot hit the post and get cleared away by the defense.
Kevin O’Toole continued New York’s offensive push with a left-footed shot from the center of the box, but a timely tackle by Westfield allowed Blake to make the save.
NYCFC opened the scoring in the 36th minute thanks to Hannes Wolf. While Andre Blake blocked the initial shot by Niko Fernández, Wolf finished off the deflection.
At halftime, the Union found themselves without a goal in three consecutive halves of MLS play — six if you go back to 2025. Despite six shots in the half, none were on target, while the visitors were far more clinical, putting four of their seven shots on frame.
The Union recorded their first shot on target in the opening minutes of the second half when Anello spun and fired directly at goalkeeper Matt Freese.
Bradley Carnell went to the bench, bringing on Stas Korzeniowski and Ben Bender for Anello and Westfield. Korzeniowski’s impact was immediately felt as Iloski found the young striker, who drove a shot on net, forcing Freese to dive and make the save.
“I found myself in a few really good positions today, and obviously wish they would have ended up in the goal,” said Korzeniowski on his performance on the day. “I’m glad that I’m picking out the moments, and I’m in finding myself in dangerous spots, and that just fuels the belief that it’s gonna come when you have situation like that.”
Nate Harriel found himself one-on-one with Freese in the 66th minute but sailed his shot wide. However, VAR checked the play for a possible foul on Lukic. After a lengthy review, the head referee ruled there was no foul.
Korzeniowski later gave Philadelphia their best chance of the evening with a beautiful header that was on target but struck the outside of the far post and went out for a goal kick.
A costly turnover nearly proved disastrous for the Union, putting Seymour Reid in one-on-one with Blake. However, Blake made himself big and blocked the attempt to keep the deficit at one.
Following Stas being fouled in the box by Thiago Martins, Vassilev converted from the spot, drilling a shot past Freese to give Philadelphia their first goal of the 2026 season — and their first in four halves of league play.
“I’m happy for Indy… stepped up, took on the responsibility, and that’s what it’s about. You know, we’re looking for leadership,” said Carnell. “We’re looking for guys to stand up when the team needs them most. And there’s a lot of guys that put up their hand and yeah, I thought it showed a mature moment from from India there”
Makhanya was sent off in the 90th minute for what appeared to be dissent after a contested ball was awarded to NYCFC, forcing Philadelphia to play the remainder of the match with 10 men and endure 10 minutes of stoppage time. Following Alladoh’s red card in the first match, Carnell addressed the disciplinary issues afterward.
“We have to grow, and we have to have these experiences that, yeah, some guys need, you know, to step up a little bit in terms of their leadership, to step up in terms of their composure and when we need to have a calming voice and when we need to have a presence in a different way,” he said. “But yeah, some of our stuff over the last two weeks, from a disciplinary standpoint, is probably substandard, and which leaves us a mountain of work to do early stages of the game.”
“I mean, two games, two red cards in the second half, shooting herself in the own foot,” said Union defender Nathan Harriel. “We just have to just have that discipline. I know even last week in DC went with the red card, we still create a lot of chances. But being down a man for 30 minutes, and then tonight, being down a man every game is just not helpful.”
Geiner Martinez came on for Vassilev in the 94th minute, looking to help see out the match following Makhanya’s departure.
NYCFC earned a prime opportunity on the ensuing corner, but Blake stood tall and made the save on Raul Gustavo’s header. Blake continued his run of big saves moments later on Agustín Ojeda.
However, it would not be enough to keep City out of the net. Tayvon Gray got past Ben Bender and beat Blake at the death to give NYCFC the lead and the victory.
While Philadelphia showed a much-improved second half, they ultimately fell short despite outshooting NYCFC 10-6 in the final 45 minutes.
The loss marks the first time since 2019 that the Union have started the MLS regular season with two consecutive losses.
Philadelphia will now focus on one match this week as they host the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, March 7 at 7:30 p.m. at Subaru Park. Coincidentally, it is the club’s annual U-Serve-themed night, highlighting the organization’s community volunteer efforts. It is also Teacher Appreciation Night. If you cannot make it to Subaru Park, the match will be available on Apple TV.
Main article photo courtesy of the Philadelphia Union
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