The Home opener, on March 1st, for the Philadelphia Union against rival, NYCFC did not go as planned. The team was shown an early yellow card, given to Olwethu Makhanya in the 23rd minute. The game was physical, as it always is, but the Union kept losing the battle. Every time they would get close to the net, a bad pass or holding the ball too long would put the ball back the NYCFC’s feet. With 13 shots taken by the visitors and 17 by the Union, the Boys in Blue were working hard to get opportunities to score. Yellow cards were shown to Tayvon Gray, Aiden O’Neill and Japhet Sery Larsen. A second yellow card was given to Olwethu Makhanya in the 92nd minute for dissent, making him ineligible for the next game, vs San Jose on March 7th, for a red card accumulation. In the 36th minute, Hannes Wolf for NYCFC scored. The Union received a penalty kick in the 89th minute. Indiana Vassilev took the PK and buried it in the net against former Union keeper, Matt Freese. 10 minutes of extra time was added to the game where NYCFC’s second goal was scored by Tayvon Gray in the 99th minute. As New York supporters celebrated, Union fans were left facing an 0–2 start to season, with many questioning the offseason departures of several key players heading into the 2026 schedule.
The flags were flying in the River End for the Home opener at Subaru Park, March 1, 2026.Int he first half of the game, Milan Iloski looks to get an easy goal by going for a header against Matt Freese.Nathan Harriel stops Agustin Ojeda from progressing towards goal in the first half of the game.Bruno Damiana wins the header against New York City FC’s Aiden O’Neill and Thiago Martins.Aiden O’Neill has an impressive header while Agustín Anello watches to get a read on where the ball is going.1st year defender, Frankie Westfield keeps the ball and looks for the pass against Raul Gustavo.Frankie Westfield and Japhet Sery build each other up after denying Agustín Ojeda from getting a shot on goal.Andre Blake gives direction to Japhet Sery close to the half.Frankie Westfield slid into the box against Kevin O’Toole, while Andre Blake went to the ground to make the save.Maxi Moralez recognizes Blake after a great save against his teammate.Celebrating the first goal for NYCFC, scored by Hannes Wolf in the 36th minute.One of 4 yellow cards given out during the game. This one is shown to Aiden O’Neil in the 39th minute by referee, Chris Penso.Danley Jean Jacques tries to get a header past Matt Freese off a corner kick.Stas Korzeniowski tries to defend the clear by Thiago Martins as he boots it down the field.Bruno Damiani wins the header against Raul Gustavo at the top of the 18 giving the Union a chance to score.Olwethu Makhanya gets to the ball, heading it towards the Union’s scoring half.Danley Jean Jacques gets in front of Seymour Reid as he takes a shot that Andre Blake saves.Stas Korzeniowski pushes forward to get past Kevin O’Toole to keep O’Toole from taking a shot.Nathan Harriel reacts to the play and missed opportunity to score in the second half.Stas Korzeniowski lets out a roar as the Union is awarded a PK.Teach Coach, Bradley Carnell works with his assistant coaches, looking for opportunities for plays after the PK.A fan holds a sign that reads, “Philly’s Declaration of INDYpendance” during his PK.Indiana Vassilev makes the penalty kick in the 89th minute, tying the game.Late in the game, Sal Olivas, continues to push for a goal, while Thiago Martins works against him.Cementing the win, Tayvon Gray, scored the 2nd goal in the 99th minute of the game.Members from “The 3rd Rail”, NYCFC’s supporters group, celebrate the win!
The next game will be a home game against San Jose on March 4th at 7:30, Subaru Park.
RECENT COMMENTS