In their first game back after the nearly two-month World Cup break, and their first game under interim head coach Ryan Richter, the Philadelphia Union looked refreshed and reenergized. The Union were organized defensively and free-flowing offensively, especially through Cavan Sullivan and Danley Jean Jacques, en route to their first home victory of the season over the New York Red Bulls. The game also featured the returns of two Union fan favorites in Kai Wagner and Quinn Sullivan. All in all, it was a much-needed jolt of optimism for the Union as the second half of the season gets underway.

First Half

The Union came out of their extended break with energy and nearly had a dream start. In the 3rd minute, a moment of beautiful interplay in midfield sprang Milan Iloski in behind. Iloski squared the ball across to an open Frankie Westfield, but the young defender dragged his shot just wide of the open goal.

The Philadelphia fans did not have to wait long to celebrate, however. In the 9th minute Red Bull goalkeeper Ethan Horvath came out to claim a Kai Wagner cross, but collided with his own defender, spilling the ball to the feet of Iloski. Iloski made no mistake in slotting home for the opening goal.

The Union continued to press throughout the first half, but it was New York who found the next goal in the 38th minute. The Red Bulls cut through the heart of the Union midfield, before Emil Forsberg picked out an open Cade Cowell on the right side of the box, who shot past Blake to equalize.

The Union had a golden opportunity to retake the lead before halftime when a brilliant through-ball from Danley found Iloski in behind. Iloski once again squared the ball to an open teammate, this time Bruno Damiani, whose shot was saved by Ethan Horvath.

Second Half

The Union again got off to a strong start in the second half. In the 50th minute, a Westfield backheel found Cavan Sullivan at the top of the box, but his low shot was parried off the post by Horvath.

The Union continued to press, and soon found the go-ahead goal in the 57th minute. Westfield sent a looping cross in from the right, which found Indiana Vassilev at the back post. Vassilev’s shot took a deflection past Horvath and into the bottom corner.

In the 66^th minute, the Union found their third. Wagner, reclaiming his set piece duties, put one of his classic left-footed corners into the box to pick out the head of a towering Niel Pierre for his debut goal.

In the 73rd minute the Union faithful were given further reason to cheer when Quinn Sullivan entered the game for his first appearance since tearing his ACL last September.

Three Points

• Both Sullivans Look Sharp: Cavan Sullivan picked up right where he left off before the break, looking the most dangerous player on the field and pulling off a few outrageous moves. Quinn Sullivan, meanwhile, showed little rust after ten months away from the pitch. With both brothers in the lineup, the Union attack should look vastly different from the plodding version we saw in the first half of the season.
• Wagner Returns: It is not hyperbole to say that Kai Wagner is one of the best players in Philadelphia Union history. His presence was sorely missed on both sides of the ball during the first half of the season.
• Dream Debut for Pierre: After a solid loan in the Danish second division, Niel Pierre returned to the Union to make his debut off the bench. Pierre looked sharp defensively and showed that he can be a force on set pieces, scoring one goal and narrowly (somehow) missing another.

Lineups

Philadelphia Union (4-4-2):

Andre Blake; Kai Wagner, Japhet Sery Larsen (Niel Pierre – 56′), Nathan Harriel, Frankie Westfield; Indiana Vassilev (Quinn Sullivan – 73′), Danley Jean Jacques, Jovan Lukic, Cavan Sullivan (Jesús Bueno – 85′); Bruno Damiani, Milan Iloski (Ezekiel Alladoh – 85′)

Unused Substitutes: Andrew Rick, Geiner Martinez, Alejandro Bedoya, Agustin Anello, Ben Bender

New York Red Bulls (4-3-3):

Ethan Horvath; Jehkeele Marshall-Rutty (Julian Bazan – 74′), Justin Che, Dylan Nealis, Matthew Dos Santos (Omar Valencia – 46′); Ronald Donkor, Adri Mehmeti, Emil Forsberg (Gustav Berggren – 74′); Cade Cowell (Mohammed Sofo – 75′), Jorge Ruvalcaba, Julian Hall

Unused Substitutes: Tim Parker, John McCarthy, Andy Rojas, Nate Worth, Mihahir Jiménez

Scoring Summary:

PHI: Milan Iloski – 9’

RBNY: Cade Cowell (Emil Forsberg, Ronald Donkor) – 38’

PHI: Indiana Vassilev (Frankie Westfield, Jovan Lukic) – 57’

PHI: Niel Pierre (Kai Wagner) – 66’

Disciplinary Summary:

RBNY: Ronald Donkor (Yellow – Foul) – 77’

RBNY: Omar Valencia (Yellow – Foul) – 85’

RBNY: Gustav Berggren (Yellow – Foul) – 88’