MLS
Around MLS: McGlynn assist, Freese saves highlight Matchday 1
With the return of MLS comes the return of tracking players around the league with connections to the Philadelphia Union and the Philadelphia region.
Let’s take a trip across the league from Matchday 1 and see some of the highlights.
Simon Becher (Reading United, Ocean City Nor’easters) started, played 89 minutes and had an assist on the first goal of the MLS season scored by teammate Marcel Hartel in St. Louis City SC’s 1-1 draw with Charlotte FC. St. Louis reserve goalkeeper Ben Lundt (Reading United) and Charlotte reserve keeper Tyler Miller (Woodbury, N.J. /Ocean City Nor’easters) were both unused substitutes in the match.
Former Union right back Alvas Powell played 1 minute off the bench in FC Cincinnati’s 2-0 win over Atlanta United.
Red Bull reserve goalkeeper John McCarthy (Philadelphia, Pa. / La Salle / Ocean City Nor’easters, Reading United) was an unused substitute in Red Bull New York’s 2-1 win over Orlando City.
Former Philadelphia Union midfielder Jack McGlynn started, played 87 minutes and had an ASSIST on Guilherme’s equalizer in a 2-1 win over Chicago Fire FC. The assist in the 20th of McGlynn’s career. McGlynn’s former Union teammate Jack Elliott was out of Chicago Fire’s lineup with a head injury.
WELCOME TO MLS GUILHERME 🔥#HoldItDown // #HOUvCHIpic.twitter.com/7XHrEvHoJ7
— Houston Dynamo FC France (@HoustonDynamoFR) February 22, 2026
Daniel Lovitz (Wyndmoor, Pa.) started and played 90 minutes for Nashville SC in their 4-1 win over New England Revolution. It was the 296th regular season MLS start of Lovitz’s career. Revs defender Eric Klein (Manheim, Pa.) was an unused sub.
Portland Timbers defender Kamal Miller (Reading United) played six minutes off the bench in the Timbers 3-2 win over Columbus Crew. Former Philadelphia Union midfielder Daniel Gazdag played 8 minutes off the bench for the Crew.
Former Philadelphia Union midfielder David Vazquez played 30 minutes off the bench and CJ dos Santos (Philadelphia, Pa.) was an unused sub for San Diego SC in their 5-0 win over CF Montreal. Former Philadelphia Union defender Brandan Craig (Philadelphia, Pa.) checked into the match in the 51st minute after a red card reduced Montreal to 10.
Philadelphia Union Academy alum Jack Skahan played 19 minutes off the bench and Paul Marie (Reading United) played 7 minutes off the bench for San Jose Earthquakes in their 3-0 win over Sporting Kansas City.
Former Philadelphia Union goalkeeper Matt Freese (Wayne, Pa.) made 6 saves in New York City FC’s 1-1 draw at LA Galaxy on Sunday. Fellow academy alum Tomas Romero (Cherry Hill, N.J.) was an unused sub for NYCFC.
Smart save from Matt Freese to deny Gabriel Pec. 🧤 pic.twitter.com/RymwiJutHM
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) February 23, 2026
Zack Steffen (Downingtown, Pa.) made 3 saves in a 2-0 loss for Colorado Rapids at Seattle Sounders. Former Union homegrown Paxten Aaronson (Medford, N.J.) started but didn’t see a lot of the ball during his 68 minutes of play and did not register a shot. Former Union right back Keegan Rosenberry (Ronks, Pa. / Reading United) came on at halftime for Reggie Cannon and played 45 minutes.
