Philadelphia regains form over N.Y. Red Bull, 3-1

Chester, PA

July 22, 2026

The FIFA World Cup was exciting to watch, but as the matches wore on (and the USMNT eventually was eliminated), it was hard to avoid waxing nostalgic about the 2026 MLS season, and, possibly, even the Philadelphia Union’s 2026 season.  Before Wednesday’s game against New York Red Bull, there were promising developments for Philadelphia.  Kai Wagner returned to the Union after playing a year for Birmingham City F.C. in England, while Quinn Sullivan looked poised to regain playing time after his ACL tear some ten months ago.  Others who had been nursing injuries had needed down time.  While the talented Olwethu Makhanya has been holding out for greener pastures, Neil Pierre was recalled from the Danish club, Lyngby Boldklub – but more about his game later.  Finally, the World Cup break gave Ryan Richter time to gather his thoughts as the Union’s interim head coach following the departure of former Coach Bradley Carnell.

The change in intensity was obvious in Wednesday’s game, as the first real opportunity from Frankie Westfield in the 3rd minute was just wide.  It didn’t take much longer for Milan Iloski.  In the 9th minute, Wagner passed diagonally right and New York’s keeper, Ethan Horvath, moved out to intercept.  He bobbled the ball, and Iloski turned and shot the ball into the goal on the rebound.

In the 38th minute, New York countered with an elegant sequence of quick passes that landed at the feet of Cade Cowell.  Cowell shot and Philadelphia’s keeper, Andre Blake, was unable to stop the shot as he sunk to his knees.  The Cowell goal resulted in a 1-1 draw at the half.

Neil Pierre entered the game at the 56th minute for Sery Larsen.  A minute later, Frankie Westfield made a pass left to Indiana Vassilev, who was hovering to the left of the upright.  Vassilev shot, and while it  may have been deflected, but the ball still landed in the left corner of New York’s goal.  The score was 2-1 to Philadelphia’s favor.

Regardless of the debates about Neil Pierre’s height (6’5″, 6’6″ or 6’7″), there is no doubt that he is tall.  Tall is good on corners.  Wagner used to take all of the Union’s corners, and he took one at the 66th minute from the left.  Pierre took flight (see upper right corner in the photograph below) and scored by heading the ball downward.  This was Pierre’s first MLS goal.

With a score of 3-1, Richter subbed in Quinn Sullivan for Indiana Vassilev.  Philadelphia fans who watched Sullivan graduated from the Union II, work his way up to a starter, and then suffer the ACL injury gave Sullivan a standing ovation.

Philadelphia traditionally has been stingy about losing at home.  Incredibly, this game at the end of July was the Union’s first home win of the season.

Photographs of the game appear below:

In the second minute, Dylan Nealis spoils Milan Iloski’s shot.Philadelphia’s Bruno Damiani and New York’s Justin Che jostle for the ball.

Philadelphia’s Frankie Westfield.

The young Cavan Sullivan pressing past Adri Mehmeti.

Philadelphia’s Neil Pierre (upper right corner of the goal post) using all of his tall frame to score over Nealis.

Pierre bows to the crowd, being framed by the smaller Cavan Sullivan.Quinn Sullivan is readied to enter the match and receive his standing ovation.Philadelphia’s Jovin Lukic controlling the ball and the end of the game.