CHESTER, PA – Finally, after six weeks since they last played a meaningful match in Kansas City, Kansas, the Red Bulls travel down I-95 to clash with their long-time nemesis, Philadelphia Union.
The Union has been in a bad way lately, winless in eight matches. With star defender Kai Wagner returning after six months with Birmingham City and fit to play, they look to turn their fortunes around at the expense of the Red Bulls once again.
The Red Bulls’ record here at Subaru Park is no secret. Their last win here was back in 2018. A 1-0 victory, with the lone goal scored on a penalty kick by Kaku. They haven’t won since, a fact that hasn’t been ignored by Head Coach Michael Bradley, who looks to put that streak to an end this time around.
The match kicked off with high intensity from the Philadelphia Union, who tested RBNY goalkeeper Ethan Horvath early with attempts from Indiana Vassilev and Frankie Westfield. The pressure paid off in the 9th minute when Milan Iloski pounced on a rebounded save by Horvath to put Philadelphia ahead 1–0.
Red Bull New York steadily fought their way back into the match, generating set-piece opportunities through aggressive play and drawing several fouls in the midfield. Their equalizer came in the 38th minute, when Cade Cowell found the back of the net off a setup by Emil Forsberg to level the score at 1–1.
Both teams continued to push forward late in the half, with Horvath coming up big on a late crucial save for RBNY to send the sides into halftime deadlocked.
However, whatever was said in the locker room at halftime didn’t take hold. Philadelphia made a meal out of the Red Bulls’ defensive mistakes in the second half. Frankie Westfield’s excellent passing found the feet of Indiana Vassilev in the 57th minute, and he didn’t miss. This put the home side ahead, 2-1. Then, in the 66th, Red Bulls’ poor set-piece defending was exposed as Neil Pierre got a clear header to put the Union up by two.
Those last two goals caused the traveling supporter to succumb and suffer in silence as reality set in, and the final whistle cemented yet another loss at Subaru Park. Despite being in last place, the Union can take comfort that their ills can be cured with a win over their rivals; for Red Bull New York, no time to lick their wounds, as they now have to face Charlotte FC and their high-powered offense in three days.
Starting Lineups and Substitutions:
Philadelphia Union: Andre Blake, Japhet Sery Larsen, Nathan Harriel, Kai Wagner, Francis Westfield, Jovan Lukic, Danley Jean Jacques, Cavan Sullivan (Jesus Bueno 85′), Bruno Damiani, Milan Iloski (9′)(Ezekiel Alladoh 85′), Indiana Vassilev (Quinn Sullivan 73′)
Red Bull New York: Ethan Horvath, Justic Che, Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty (Julian Bazan 74′), Dylan Nealis, Matthew Dos Santos (Omar Valencia 45′), Emil Forsberg (Gustav Berggren 74′), Adri Mehmeti, Ronald Donkor, Jorge Ruvalcaba, Julian Hall, Cade Cowell (38′)(Mohammed Sofo 74′)
Scoring Summary:
9′ | Philadelphia Union – Milan Iloski, unassisted
38′ | Red Bull New York – Cade Cowell, assisted by Emil Forsberg
57′ | Philadelphia Union – Indiana Vassilev, assisted by Frankie Westfield
66′ | Philadelphia Union – Neil Pierre, assisted by Kai Wagner
Disciplinary Summary:
77′ | Red Bull New York – Ronald Donkor – Yellow card
86′ | Red Bull New York – Omar Valencia – Yellow card
86′ | Red Bull New York – Gustav Berggren – Yellow card
Match Officials:
Referee: Fotis Bazakos
Assistants: Lyes Arfa, Justin Howard
4th Official: Alejo Calume
VAR: Edvin Jurisevic
AVAR: Tom Felice