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Union Head to the Bronx Looking to Keep MLS Momentum Rolling
The Union takes a short trip to the Bronx to start a busy week in MLS play. The Leagues Cup gave the Union an unlucky spell, with a wonky format and a ghost penalty against Cruz Azul; that essentially eliminated the Boys in Blue from the first match. Now, coming off a heavily rotated match against Santos Laguna, the U look to continue their positive MLS form against the Pigeons. It’s Sunday Night Football on Apple TV.
NYCFC Look to Strike Early Without Fernández
Like the Union, NYCFC are also unbeaten since their return to MLS play. They’ve won twice against Chicago and Columbus, and most recently drew to Toronto FC.
For the Pigeons, it really depends on the squad that shows up for the match. They’ve been inconsistent against both superior and inferior opponents, and because of this, sit seventh in the table.
In the Leagues Cup, each team played the same Liga MX sides, where NYCFC dropped two of their three matches, falling to both Cruz Azul and Necaxa. In those losses, they conceded four times, while holding a clean sheet against Santos Laguna.
Looking toward their match against the Union, this rivalry has not finished in a draw in their last 12 meetings. NYCFC defeated the Union 2-1 in their match earlier this season, but the Union line up much differently than that first meeting in the early moments of the season.
When analyzing this NYCFC squad, it all starts with Nicolás Fernández in his first season in MLS. He is a significant piece to the puzzle for New York, but he’ll be unavailable for the match this evening due to a yellow card accumulation. Fernández has 13 goals in his first 18 matches with the club.
Striker depth beyond Fernández is extremely thin for the Pigeons. A player who could help is 20-year-old Brazilian Luighi. The youngster from Palmeiras arrived in July on loan and featured in the Leagues Cup for the club. Additionally, Bénie Traoré from the Ivory Coast and Agustín Ojeda from Argentina, who has five goals this season, provide a spark on the flanks for an NYCFC squad that will look to get as wide as possible on their baseball diamond.
A Union alum sits in the midfield for New York. Andrés Perea will likely start for the squad from the Bronx. He has a goal and an assist through 470 minutes of play this season.
Defensively, Freese continues to impress between the sticks in MLS play. He has a save percentage of 71.8, eighth in the league, and 3.4 saves per 90 minutes, tenth in the league. His downfall has been his defense, as Freese sits near the bottom of the league in goals conceded per 90 minutes with 1.3.
Keys to Success
NYCFC have to do what they do best. Score early. The two squads could not be more different on paper, with NYCFC fourth in the league in first-half goals in 2026 with 18. They also scored in the eighth minute against Toronto FC in their 1-1 draw. If they score early, they could do enough to frustrate the road side and walk away with all three points. Five of the last six regular-season league meetings in the fixture have been decided by exactly one goal, including each of the last three.
Union Return to MLS Road Action Looking to Extend Winning Run
Finally back to business. The Union travel for the first time since the World Cup break, looking to build on their perfect start to their return to league play. Rivals NYCFC always deliver an electric match, and the Union sits at 11 wins, 11 losses, and two draws in their last 24 matches against the Pigeons.
The rubber match will feature a well-rested Union side and a heavily rotated squad after their 2-0 loss to Santos Laguna. While that match kept the Union scoreless, their offense has been revived under Ryan Richter, and the Boys in Blue have scored seven goals in their last five matches.
Much of this is due to the return of Kai Wager. The left back has three assists in his first three matches with the U and provides dangerous crosses and lethal passing that ignites Philly’s forwards. In his 270 minutes played this season, the German has 12 successful crosses and 14 chances created. This sits in the top 150 of players across the league in just three matches played.
Additionally on the attack, Milan Iloski and Cavan Sullivan are finding freedom under Richter. Both players have been standout stars for the Union of late. Iloski has six goals in his last four MLS matches for the Union, and Cavan Sullivan has created four big chances and 17 total chances in his increased minutes.
Defensively, Pierre and Sery Larson should be the two centerbacks this evening. They’ve been incredible, and the offensive threat that Pierre provides on set pieces could prove to be the difference in the size advantage against NYCFC.
The key for the Union in this match will be staying in the match until the late moments. The Union is only the second team in MLS history to have scored two goals past the 95th minute mark in a regular season match. Resiliency and versatility have been the name of the game.
Keys to Success
I take the Union on the road in this one. This will be the first road test under Richter, but the Union is in too good of form to be counted out of this one. Along with NYC’s biggest weapon out of the match, a rested Blake and an eager offense will be the difference going into a three-match marathon this week.
You can catch the match at 6 PM on Apple TV+.
