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’