Philadelphia Union
Union return to the victory column, continue dominance over Red Bull
The Philadelphia Union returned to winning ways on Wednesday night, defeating New York Red Bull 3-1 in their first match after the World Cup break. Kai Wagner and Quinn Sullivan made their respective returns to the team, and Ryan Richter managed his first match as the Union’s interim Head Coach. Milan Iloski scored the opener in the first half, followed by Indiana Vassilev and Neil Pierre adding on in the second half. Kai Wagner shined in his return, creating a chance that led to the Union’s opening goal and assisting the third goal.
The Union went into the match refreshed from a long break and excited about the reinforcements of Kai Wagner and Quinn Sullivan. Still, the Boys in Blue were in desperate need of a win, still in last place in the Eastern Conference and winless at home on the season. After the departure of Bradley Carnell, former Union player Ryan Richter took the helm as interim Head Coach, taking charge of the Union through their summer break and earning his first match on the touchline against Red Bull. Red Bull, led by Richter’s former teammate Michael Bradley, came into the match on better form than the Union, but have remained winless at Subaru Park since 2018.
Appearing energized after the World Cup break, the Union started the match on the front foot. Within the first five minutes, the Union created a quality chance. Cavan Sullivan received the ball in the middle of the field before turning and playing Milan Iloski through. Iloski squared across the face of goal to Frankie Westfield, who made a great run into the box. From point blank range, Westfield mishit the shot into the side netting.
Despite the missed opportunity, the Union cashed in on their momentum only minutes later. Kai Wagner received a pass down the left flank and hooked a cross into the box. Red Bull goalkeeper Ethan Horvath came out to claim it, but collided with his own defender Matthew Dos Santos, spilling the ball in the area. Iloski latched on to it, tapping home into the empty net to give the Union a 1-0 lead.
Red Bull responded in the 38th minute. After a Westfield cross bounced around in the box, Horvath claimed it and started the counter. Adri Mehmeti played a line breaking pass to Ronald Donkor, who dribbled before flicking the ball to Emil Forsberg. Forsberg slipped in Cade Cowell to his right, who fired a low shot through Andre Blake and in to tie the score at 1-1. Bruno Damiani received a golden chance set up by Iloski just before halftime, but he shot it straight at Horvath. The Boys in Blue went into halftime tied 1-1 with their rivals.
The Union reclaimed their lead early in the second half. In the 57th minute, a deep cross from Frankie Westfield found Indiana Vassilev. Vassilev hit the ball towards goal, deflecting off a Red Bulls player and past Horvath to go up 2-1. After having the quality without the finishing touch in the first half, the Union went forward with a bit of luck in the 2nd.
The Union doubled their lead with a milestone moment. Neil Pierre came on for Japhet Sery Larsen just before Vassilev’s goal, making his second appearance for the Union after returning on loan from Lyngby. In the 66th minute, Kai Wagner pinged a lofted corner kick into the penalty area. The 6-foot-6 18-year-old Pierre, towering over the Red Bull defenders, won the header unopposed, firing low past Horvath for his first Union goal. Wagner’s first assist back with the Union and Pierre’s instant impact gave the Union a 3-1 lead.
Unlike previous matches this season, the Union dropped into a comfortable defensive shape in order to preserve their lead. After grinding through the last 20 minutes, the final whistle blew, and the Union claimed the 3-1 victory over their rivals.
The Union’s win on Wednesday was their second of the MLS season, and first win at home in 2026. With Richter in charge and the presence of Wagner and Sullivan, the Union will look to reverse course for the second half of the season. The Union return to action next at home on Saturday against Seattle Sounders.
Union Lineup
Andre Blake; Japhet Sery Larsen, Nathan Harriel, Kai Wagner, Frankie Westfield; Jovan Lukic, Danley Jean Jacques, Cavan Sullivan, Indiana Vassilev; Bruno Damiani, Milan Iloski
Substitutes
Andrew Rick; Geiner Martinez, Ben Bender, Neil Pierre; Jesus Bueno, Alejandro Bedoya, Agustin Anello, Quinn Sullivan; Ezekiel Alladoh
Red Bull New York Lineup:
Ethan Horvath; Justin Che, Jakheele Marshall-Rutty, Dylan Nealis, Matthew Dos Santos; Emil Forsberg, Adri Mehmeti, Ronald Donkor; Jorge Ruvalcaba, Julian Zakrzewski, Cade Cowell
Substitutes
Gustav Berggren, Omar Valencia, Julian Bazan, Tim Parker, Mohammed Sofo, Andy Rojas, John
McCarthy, Nate Worth, Mijahir Jimenez
