Home Blues Continue: Red Bulls Outmuscled by Union at Sports Illustrated Stadium
Updated: Aug 30
August 29, 2026 Sports Illustrated Stadium. Harrison, NJ
The New York Red Bulls suffered a 3-1 home defeat to the Philadelphia Union after failing to convert numerous scoring opportunities, including multiple high-quality chances by 18-year-old Julian Hall.
The Red Bulls came into this match needing points to help solidify their standing in the playoff race, while the Philadelphia Union was looking to extend its MLS unbeaten streak to seven matches as they continued to move into playoff position. The match started off with a quality chance for Red Bull. After a nice sequence, Cade Cowell found Julian Hall in on goal; however, Hall would not capitalize on the golden opportunity as Andre Blake would easily save the chance. The Red Bulls initially looked like the more dangerous side, threatening early with a handful of other attacking sequences. Despite New York pressing the issue looking for an opening goal, they couldn't capitalize on their momentum, allowing the Union to strike against the run of play. In the 21st minute, Milan Iloski buried a shot to score his 11th goal of the season, giving Philadelphia a crucial 1-0 lead. Soon after, Ronald Donkor would mishit a shot off a rebound in the 31st minute after another quality sequence by Cowell. Hall would have another quality chance in the 37th minute but once again would not capitalize on the play. Despite creating some danger, Red Bulls' inability to convert on chances would doom them to a one-goal deficit at the break.
Hoping to spark the attack, Bradley would insert Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting at the half, surprisingly for Jorge Ruvalcaba instead of the ineffective Julian Hall. However, Philadelphia comfortably took control early in the second half. In the 50th minute, 16-year-old phenom Cavan Sullivan turned heads by scoring a spectacular, unassisted goal to make it 2-0. With this strike, Sullivan made MLS history by becoming the first 16-year-old ever to record goal contributions in four consecutive matches. After the goal, it seemed as if the life was taken out of Red Bull and the team appeared out of answers. The Union firmly slammed the door shut in the 65th minute when rookie defender Neil Pierre slipped home a sliding finish off a well-executed set piece, pushing the scoreline to a commanding 3-0. Bradley would react and make three substitutions a minute after, Matthew Dos Santos, Cade Cowell, and Emil Forsberg would depart and Marshall-Rutty, Cam Harper, and Mo Sofo would enter the match. Red Bull would cut the deficit to 3-1 after Choupo-Moting showed great quality by slotting the ball into the back of the net after receiving a nice through ball by the recently inserted Sofo. The team would show more fight as Choupo-Moting and Harper would continue to generate chances but with little luck. However, the Union backline would successfully close out the game and record a crucial 3-1 victory. With the win, Philadelphia showed they have legitimate playoff aspirations while Red Bulls look like a team in danger of missing a second consecutive post-season, now embarking on four straight away matches that may define their season.
With the loss, the Red Bulls now drop to 7-10-5 and have only recorded one victory in seven matches since returning from the World Cup break. While the defensive issues remain, another glaring issue of concern is the play of Julian Hall. Hall has now gone nine straight matches without a goal, and his overall play has been lacking as well. After recently signing a new multi-year contract, it can be argued that Choupo-Moting should be playing over him. After leading the club with 17 goals last season, the veteran surprisingly lost his starting position to Julian Hall. Hall took advantage in the early going, capitalizing on chances in the box, but since then has suffered. Choupo, the better overall player, could provide the Red Bulls with some other solutions that the young Hall cannot provide. The team's lack of depth and over-reliance on inexperienced young players is also clearly showing as Bradley keeps trotting out basically the same eleven match after match despite the negative results. Julian Guzman needs to reevaluate his plans as the team is clearly suffering, and the results, including a poor home record, continue to frustrate the Red Bull faithful.
New York Red Bulls 1 - 1 Philadelphia Union
Red Bull New York: Ethan Horvath; Matthew Dos Santos (Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty, 67’), Julián Bazán, Justin Che, Dylan Nealis, Adri Mehmeti, Ronald Donkor, Emil Forsberg © (Mohammed Sofo, 67’), Julian Hall, Cade Cowell (Cameron Harper, 67’), Jorge Ruvalcaba (Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, HT)
Unused Subs: John McCarthy, Nehuen Benedetti, Mijahir Jiménez, Dennis Nelich, Tim Parker, Omar Valencia
Phiadelphia Union: Andre Blake © ; Nathan Harriel, Kai Wagner, Francis Westfield, Neil Pierre, Jovan Lukic, Danley Jean Jacques (Ezekiel Alladoh, 84’), Cavan Sullivan (Jesus Bueno, 80’), Bruno Damiani (Agustin Anello, 80’), Milan Iloski, Indiana Vassilev (Quinn Sullivan, 64’)
Unused Subs: Geiner Martinez, Japhet Sery Larsen, Jeremy Rafanello, Ben Bender, Andrew Rick
Scoring Summary:
PHI – Milan Iloski 11 (Vassilev, Jean Jacques) 21’
PHI – Cavan Sullivan 3 (Jean Jacuqes, Vassilev) 50’
PHI – Neil Pierre 4 (Damiani, Illoski) 65’
NY – Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting 3 (Sofo, Donkor) 74’
Misconduct Summary:
NY – Ronald Donkor (caution, foul) 79’
PHI – Agustín Anello (caution, foul) 90’+1’
PHI – Quinn Sullivan (caution, foul) 90’+2’
Match Statistics:
Possession: NYRB 59% - UNION 41%
Total Shots: NYRB 10 - UNION 18
Shots on Target: NYRB 4 - UNION 5
Corner Kicks: NYRB 4 - UNION 7
Fouls: NYRB 12 - UNION 13
Comments