Photo courtesy of Marjorie Elzey

The Philadelphia Union capped off the 2026 regular season with a 4-1 win over Toronto FC. Cavan Sullivan notched another two goals, bringing his total up to nine on the season, while Quinn Sullivan and Bruno Damiani each scored from the spot. The match was also the final MLS regular season game for Union captain and legend Alejandro Bedoya, who will be retiring after the season.

The result sees the Union finish the year in sixth place in the Eastern Conference with 50 points and a +14 goal differential, a remarkable turnaround after entering the World Cup break in last place with a mere seven points. The Union will now enter the MLS playoffs, starting with a best-of-three series against the New England Revolution.

First Half

The Philadelphia Union played a dominant, but ultimately frustrating, first forty-five minutes; they put the ball in the back of the net four times, but saw two goals called back for offsides, then gave up a goal with the final action of the half.

The Union pressed Toronto hard from the opening whistle, consistently creating danger from the start of the match. In the 11th minute the Union played a beautiful, one-touch sequence down the left side that sprang Danley on goal. Danley took a touch around William Yarborough before hitting the ground and the ball fell to Quinn Sullivan, who finished home the tap-in. However, after a long VAR decision, the goal was called back for an offsides on Quinn.

The Union weren’t to be denied for long; in the 28th minute a beautiful cross from Quinn Sullivan picked out Indiana Vassilev at the back post. Vassilev initially miscontrolled the ball, but eventually found Cavan Sullivan alone in the box for a tap-in.

The Union continued to press, and in the 39th minute Cavan Sullivan won a penalty after a challenge from Richard Chukwu in the box. Quinn Sulivan smashed the penalty home to double the lead.

The Union continued to press throughout the first half, and nearly picked up a third in the second minute of stoppage time when Kai Wagner found Cavan Sullivan with a long switch to the right flank. Cavan controlled the ball with an excellent first touch, juked his defender, and found Frankie Westfield alone at the top of the box. Westfield rifled the ball home for what would have been his first goal of the year, however VAR intervened to call the goal back for an offside on Quinn Sullivan, who allegedly interfered with play by obstructing the goalkeeper’s view.

In the seventh minute of extra time, a corner from Djordje Mihailovic, who was the only consistent source of attacking danger for Toronto in the first half, picked out Josh Sargent, who thundered his header into the back of the net.

Second Half

Toronto FC came out of halftime with some momentum, but the Union were quickly able to put the match to bed. In the 58th minute a great flick-on header from Bruno Damiani sent Quinn Sullivan in behind, where he squared to his brother for Cavan’s second goal of the game.

In the 71st minute, referee Tim Ford pointed to the spot again after Matheus Pereira wrestled Quinn Sullivan to the ground during a corner kick. This time it was Damiani who stepped up, and the big Uruguayan made no mistake slotting the ball home for the Union’s fourth goal.

PSP’s Three Points

Alejandro Bedoya’s Sendoff: After some injury concern for Cavan Sullivan and confusion over available substitution windows, Alejandro Bedoya was able to come on in the 96th minute for his 288th and final MLS regular-season appearance.

Sullivan Brothers Dominate: Quinn and Cavan Sullivan combined for three goals on the night, and were constantly creating danger even beyond the scoresheet. The Union’s playoff hopes will depend on these two maintaining this momentum into the post-season.

Damiani on Form: Even before his penalty goal, Damiani was playing a great game – his hold-up and combination play gave Toronto fits all night. It is great to see Damiani playing with such confidence, which is well earned after his excellent second half of the season and his call-up to the Uruguay national team this week.

Lineups

Philadelphia Union (4-4-2):

Andre Blake (C) (Andrew Rick – 46’), Frankie Westfield, Niel Pierre, Nathan Harriel, Kai Wagner, Cavan Sullivan (Malik Jakupović – 90’), Danley Jean Jacques, Jovan Lukic (Ben Bender – 77’), Indiana Vassilev, Bruno Damiani (Ezekiel Alladoh – 82’), Quinn Sullivan (Alejandro Bedoya – 90’+6’)

Unused Substitutes: Jeremy Rafanello, Geiner Martinez, Jordan Griffin,

Toronto FC (4-2-3-1):

William Yarbrough, Richie Laryea, Jackson Gilman, Zane Monlouis (Matheus Pereira – 62’), Richard Chukwu, Jonathan Osorio (C) (Derrick Etienne Jr. 90’+4’), Markus Cimermancic (Niklas Dorsch – 74’), Alejandro Piedrahita (Dániel Sallói  – 62’), Djordje Mihailovic, Lewis Morgan (Theo Corbeanu – 62’), Josh Sargent (Emilio Aristizábal – 78’)

Unused Substitutes: Adisa De Rosario, Kobe Franklin, Raheem Edwards,

Scoring Summary

PHI – Cavan Sullivan (Indiana Vassilev, Quinn Sullivan) 28’

PHI – Quinn Sullivan (penalty) 41’

TFC – Josh Sargent (Djordje Mihailovic)45’+7’

PHI – Cavan Sullivan (Quinn Sullivan, Bruno Damiani) 58’

PHI – Bruno Damiani (penalty) 73’

Disciplinary Summary

PHI – Jovan Lukic (caution) 45’

TFC – Jonathan Osorio (caution) 67’

PHI – Ben Bender (caution) 87’

TFC – Emilio (caution) 90’+3’

The MLS Playoffs kick off on November 19, with the Philadelphia Union taking on the New England Revolution in Round One.