Philadelphia Union
Union suffer another defeat, lose Westfield to injury
The Philadelphia Union keep finding new ways to disappoint.
The latest episode included a rare lead on an own goal, a devastating injury, a missed sitter and a second half comeback win for the New England Revolution. The 2-1 loss on the grass at Gillette Stadium was the Union’s eighth on the season, already equaling their loss total from their 2025 Supporters’ Shield season.
A week after Japhet Sery Larsen had to leave a game early with an injury, Frankie Westfield exited in excruciating pain after a crunching hit near the sideline from Griffin Yow just before the half hour mark. The talented outside back who has been one of the team’s more dangerous ball providers gave way to Olivier Mbaizo, who made his first MLS appearance since October.
Milan Iloski, who paired up top with Ezekiel Alladoh put the Union in front in the 37th minute when he was played in with a long ball from Danley Jean Jacques and his shot attempt deflected off New England defender Will Sands and in. The goal marked just the second time this season the Union scored first. The only other time so far this season was when Iloski opened the scoring in the 3-3 draw at Toronto FC.
Alladoh had his best opportunity of the season to open his scoring account just before the hour mark when Cavan Sullivan got into the box and fired a low shot that Matt Turner dove to stop. The rebound fell right to the feet of the 20-year-old striker but his shot attempt (with a 72% xG) was blocked by Revs defender Mamadou Fofana. Like an Andre Blake save that leads to a goal on the other end, the remarkable stop (or incredible miss from a Union perspective) gave way to a goal moments later scored by Luca Langoni on a curling strike just outside the box. Instead of 2-0 to the visitors, it was 1-1.
With the wind behind their sails, the Revs pushed for a winner but were denied by blocked shots from Olwethu Makhanya and Geiner Martinez and a couple of missed shots. Peyton Miller had a chance in the 75th minute miss to the right and the Union had a couple of half chances either blocked or miss the target but it was Revs veteran Carles Gil’s first goal against the Philadelphia Union in the 87th minute that ultimately settled things. Gil was the beneficiary of some crisp passing through close quarters and several missed tackles from the Union defense.
The win stretched the Revs home win streak to start the season to six and denied the Union any movement from the cellar in the Eastern Conference standings and one point off Wooden Spoon leader Sporting Kansas City in the Supporters’ Shield table.
The Union will have a quick turnaround with a visit to Orlando on Wednesday in a battle of the 14th and 15th place teams in the conference. Just four points separates the two teams at the bottom of the table.
