Photo courtesy of the Philadelphia Union
The Philadelphia Union (3-4-10) defeated the Seattle Sounders (7-3-6) in a close match in front of an energized Subaru Park on Saturday night. Milan Iloski scored the only goal of the game off of Frankie Westfield’s pass in the 31st minute. Andre Blake and the defense kept a clean sheet for the third time this season, and first in a win. The Union achieved back-to-back victories for the first time this season, moving interim Head Coach Ryan Richter to a perfect two wins from two games.
First Half
Richter named an almost unchanged lineup from the win over New York on Wednesday. The only change saw Neil Pierre make his first career MLS start after the 6 foot 7 inch center back scored off the bench against the Red Bulls.
It would be Seattle who had the first major opportunitiy of the match. In the 17th minute, the Sounders looked to be through on net, when Paul Arriola picked out Osaze De Rosario with a weighted pass in-behind the Union’s backline. Although the Guyanese forward seemed to have a step on Nathan Harriel and a clear shot on goal, the Union defender stretched out to make a perfectly timed sliding tackle to block the shot.
Philadelphia would strike first, finding the opening goal in the 31st minute. After the ball was played all the way back to Andre Blake, the Union quickly moved up the field. Westfield got on the ball just over the halfway line, and played a perfectly lofted pass to a streaking Milan Iloski. The California local let the ball bounce once before chipping it over Andrew Thomas who was caught in no man’s land. It was Iloski’s 9th goal of the season and Westfield’s 5th assist. They each lead the team in those respective categories.
The Union would take their lead into the half-time break.
Second Half
In the 63rd minute, Philadelphia thought they had found a second goal. Cavan Sullivan intercepted a Sounder’s pass and drove across the halfway line. The young phenom played a leading ball to Milan Iloski, who rounded Thomas, and put the ball in the net. However, the Linesman’s raised flag cut celebrations short, and the goal was disallowed on a tight offside call.
The Union nearly let Seattle back into the game in the 69th minute. A bad pass from Jovan Lukiç went right to Jesús Ferieria in the Philadelphia box. The Pirate of the Carribean’s first time cross found Paul Rothrock at the back post, but he was unable to direct his header on target.
In the 76th minute, second half substitute Quinn Sullivan almost shut the door on any chance of a Seattle comeback. From a direct Andre Blake pass, the ball was headed on by Ezekial Alladaoh, and chested towards Sullivan by Milan Iloski. The eldest Sullivan took a touch, before directing a shot on goal, by Andrew Thomas was equal to the effort.
In second half stoppage time, Sullivan had another dangerous chance in the box. Alladoh and Iloski again combined to find the U22 player, but his low shot from a tight angle only forced a save from Thomas.
The Union would see out the victory, winning their second home game of the season, and finally moving out of the Eastern Conference’s basement.
3 Points
- Finding Form: Back-to-back wins for the first time in 2026, and the first clean sheet victory. Are the Union finally finding some much needed form?
- Defensive Resurgence: Between Kai Wagner’s return, and the emergence of Neil Pierre, the Philadelphia defense has seemingly turned a new leaf. It’s only been 2 games, but a 1-0 win seems significant after the way the first half of the season went.
- Vibe Shift: I’ll say it: Subaru Park is fun again. The players were juiced, the Sons of Ben were lively, and the fans in the stands were enjoying themselves (at least from my perspective). It’s amazing what a new manager and a few wins can do for club morale.
Lineups
Philadelphia Union: Andre Blake, Neil Pierre, Nathan Harriel, Kai Wagner, Frankie Westfield, Jovan Lukic, Danley Jean Jacques (Jesus Bueno 80’), Cavan Sullivan (Alejandro Bedoya 89’), Bruno Damiani (Ezekiel Alladoh 65’), Milan Iloski, Indiana Vassilev (Quinn Sullivan 65’).
Substitutes not used: Andrew Rick, Geiner Martinez, Japhet Sery Larsen, Ben Bender, Agustin Anello.
Seattle Sounders FC: Andrew Thomas, Antino Lopez (Gallatin Sandnes 59’), Stuart Hawkins, Albert Rusnak, Hassani Dotson (Sebastian Gomez 80’), Snyder Brunell, Nouhou, Paul Rothrock, Paul Arriola (Jesus Ferreira 59’), Kalani Kossa-Rienzi (Peter Kingston 59’), Osaze De Rosario (Danny Musovski 80’ ).
Substitutes not used: Stefan Frei, Yeimar Gomez Andrade, Max Anchor.
Scoring Summary:
PHI:Milan Iloski (Frankie Westfield) – 31’
Disciplinary Summary:
SEA: Hassani Dotson (Yellow) – 12’
Woohooo 14th place! And if things work out right next week they could move up as high as 12th!
I thought Cavan was a little annoyed coming off until he got to Bedoya and realized who was coming in. His brother looked mad he missed him wide open when be elected to take a shot instead. Overall Cavan looks like the starter for the rest of the season but unlike the last game it looked like Seattle game planned to not let him have any freedom or space as be kept getting double teams outside the box.
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This game was about the back line playing almost mistake free with Lukic & Jean Jacques looking like the two players from last year. Pierre & Harriel looked strong together in the middle with decent recovery speed and taking away passing lanes.
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Iloski goal was a thing of beauty but he needs a partner who can be more of a threat and I still think Stas would offer more than the current two getting minutes. They both look like they are thinking instead of just playing. The pass or shot is always a second to late.
Meanwhile they are one point shy in Richter’s second game of matching the first half season total after 15 games.
I thought Alladoh played some of his best football yet after subbing in; maybe a possibility to take some time away from Damian if he can sustain it.
He had some decent moments. On one break away he jogged up the field rather than streaking for goal. It looked lazy to me but maybe it was coached that way – let others run ahead and he takes the 2nd tier where his holdup play has value if the ball comes back out?
What’s “personal” about Makhanya? Are they selling him to Europe now that Kai is back in the house?
The Reddit rumor is that he wants a transfer now that he’s a World Cup player, the Union received a low ball offer, passed, and now he’s mad.
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But it’s Reddit, so…
I think I saw something similar about a week ago from one of the Union writers.
Really surprised there was no cards handed out between Cavan taking the hard foul and getting up and swinging / pushing at the guy who bodied him.
On the broadcast, the announcers didn’t even think it was a foul. It looked bad in real time but the replay did show that the Seattle defender clearly headed the ball. Cavan was off balance, bounced off his shoulder and went flying. Not surprised it drew a foul but no cards was probably the right call.
Really nice to see the players getting the results from their performances. I like the energy from them so far. The new coach bounce may not last but the team looks and feels better! The mood of the crowd is way different. Not as much WTF am I watching?? Well that may have been me. Pierre is a tall dude! He’s looking like the player we hoped for on his return from loan. I think Cavan will work out when to be selfish and when to lay the ball to a better option. Still gotta love the aggressiveness and inventive nature. And if Ilioski keeps playing like he is he’s our most dangerous forward! Ok men!! On to the next!!
Question… What the hell happened this season, causing the worst half season in history?
Selling the 5 best players, replace with MLS Next Pro level players?
Carnell further installing Red Bull systems that did not work with Union Academy trained players, after Tanner was exited?
Tanner set himself and the squad up for disaster with the entire MLS management purposefully out to get him?
Repeat performance of Carnell’s St Louis behavior without a GM to reign him in?
Sugarman cashed out while he could… no back up plan with the GM in exile?
I know one thing…
The team I saw the last 2 nights at Subaru was NOTHING like the team in last place before the break.
Thank God!
PS… “Sugar” OWES us free tickets for the 14 game season!
I know I can’t be the only person who keeps asking the same question…..why do we continue to trot out Damiani game after game? The man contributes nothing!
Mike – You definitely are not the only person asking that question…….