New York City FC vs Philadelphia Union
Union snatch late win at NYC FC
Philadelphia Union overturn two penalties to claim a 3-2 victory in a thrilling MLS clash.
New York City FC looked set for victory after B. Traoré and Luighi Hanri converted penalties, putting them two goals ahead by stoppage time in the first half. However, Philadelphia Union mounted a spirited comeback with D. Jean-Jacques scoring just after the break, followed by a brace from B. Damiani in the second half to secure a 3-2 win. This result defied Fipster's high-confidence prediction of a home win, delivering a surprise upset in this tightly contested encounter.
Outcome probability
New York City FC and Philadelphia Union are set for a high-scoring clash in the 19th round of the regular season. Both teams boast potent attacking options, promising an entertaining match with goals aplenty.
Match factors
N. Fernández Mercau's home scoring prowess
Fernández Mercau scores 0.8 goals per game at home, well above league average for attackers, giving NYCFC a strong attacking edge
Philadelphia's top scorer M. Iloski in red-hot form
Iloski has scored 7 goals in last 5 games, indicating a strong scoring threat despite away struggles
NYCFC's consistent scoring streak
NYCFC has scored in last 5 consecutive matches, showing strong offensive momentum at home
No confirmed absences for either team
Both teams have full squads available, ensuring strongest lineups and tactical plans
The context
This fixture sees two sides with a competitive head-to-head history, having met 20 times with a near-even split of wins. Their encounters typically produce close, high-scoring games, averaging nearly three goals per match.
Key insights
N. Fernández Mercau
New York City FC
Fernández Mercau scores 0.8 goals per game at home, giving NYCFC a strong attacking edge in this fixture.
12 goals in 17 apps, 0.71 goals/game
M. Iloski
Philadelphia Union
Iloski's red-hot form with 7 goals in last 5 games makes him a key offensive threat despite playing away.
8 goals in 16 apps, 0.50 goals/game
Analysis
New York City FC have been in fine scoring form at home, led by N. Fernández Mercau who boasts 12 goals this season and a particularly strong home record. Philadelphia Union's M. Iloski is red-hot, netting seven goals in his last five games, making him a significant threat despite playing away. Both teams have full squads available, setting the stage for an open and attacking game. The predicted halftime score of 2-1 suggests an early flurry of goals, with the fulltime 3-2 scoreline reflecting a closely fought contest.
Key facts
- 1.New York City FC have won 9 of 20 head-to-head matches against Philadelphia Union.
- 2.Philadelphia Union have won 10 of their 20 meetings with New York City FC.
- 3.Head-to-head matches average 2.9 goals per game.
- 4.N. Fernández Mercau leads New York City FC with 12 goals this season.
- 5.M. Iloski has scored 7 goals in his last 5 games for Philadelphia Union.
- 6.New York City FC have scored in their last 5 consecutive matches.
- 7.Both teams have full squads available for this fixture.
- 8.The predicted halftime score is 2-1, with a fulltime score of 3-2.
Prediction
We see New York City FC clinching a narrow 3-2 victory, capitalising on their home scoring momentum and Fernández Mercau's clinical finishing. Philadelphia Union will push hard and find the net multiple times, but ultimately fall just short in this goal-laden encounter.
Player Insights
Standout players Fipster expects to impact the match — curated highlights, not full squad lists
Home — New York City FC
Away — Philadelphia Union
The verdict
This match promises excitement with attacking talents on display and a tight scoreline. Fans should brace for a rollercoaster of goals and a thrilling finish as New York City FC edge out Philadelphia Union in a memorable contest.
Form as the teams went into this match — excludes this result and anything since.
Team Comparison
Season shape — attack, defence, form, clean sheets & win rate
Home vs Away comparison
Goal difference in each of the last few fixtures — above the line is a net win, below is a net loss
Season comparison
Goals scored & conceded, goal difference and clean sheets across the season
Halftime Performance
What each side does once the whistle goes for half time
Streaks
Recent-form runs — each side’s most-recent game meets in the middle
Head to Head
Traoré
Penalty
Harriel
Yellow Card
Luighi Hanri
Yellow Card
Lukić
Yellow Card
Luighi Hanri
Penalty
Jean-Jacques
Assist: Sullivan
Iloski
Yellow Card
Shore
Parks
Lukić
Luighi Hanri
Traoré
Damiani
Assist: Sullivan
Vassilev
Damiani
Assist: Sullivan
Murray
Gray
Yellow Card
Sullivan
Wagner
Yellow Card
Jones
Yellow Card
Match Statistics
New York City FC
4-3-3Starting XI
- 2Nico CavalloD
- 6J. SandsD
- 8A. PereaM
- 9B. TraoréF
- 20Luighi HanriF
- 23Maxwell MurrayD
- 24T. GrayD
- 26A. OjedaF
- 32J. ShoreM
- 49M. FreeseG
- 55K. ParksM
Substitutes
- 11Talles MagnoF
- 15K. PierreM
- 22K. O'TooleD
- 29M. CarrizoM
- 30T. RomeroG
- 34Raul GustavoD
- 35M. IleničD
- 88M. JonesF
Philadelphia Union
4-4-2Starting XI
- 4J. LukićM
- 6Cavan SullivanM
- 9B. DamianiF
- 10M. IloskiF
- 18A. BlakeG
- 19I. VassilevM
- 21D. Jean-JacquesM
- 26N. HarrielD
- 27K. WagnerD
- 39F. WestfieldD
- 44Neil PierreD
Substitutes
- 5J. Sery LarsenD
- 8J. BuenoM
- 11A. BedoyaM
- 14J. RafanelloM
- 16B. BenderM
- 23E. AlladohF
- 28A. AnelloF
- 33Q. SullivanM
- 76A. RickG
New York City FC
| Player | Pos | Min | Rating | G | A | Shots | SoT | Key Passes | Dribbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bénie Traoré | F | 67 | 7.6 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2/3 |
| Keaton Parks | M | 60 | 7.2 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1/1 |
| Luighi Hanri | F | 67 | 7.2 | 1 | — | 3 | 2 | — | 2/3 |
| Andrés Perea | M | 90 | 6.9 | — | — | — | — | — | 0/1 |
| Jonathan Shore | M | 60 | 6.7 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1/1 |
| Agustin Ojeda | F | 90 | 6.6 | — | — | — | — | 3 | — |
| Nico Cavallo | D | 90 | 6.5 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 0/1 |
| Matthew Freese(C) | G | 90 | 6.2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| James Sands | D | 90 | 6.2 | — | — | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0/1 |
| Max Murray | D | 78 | 5.9 | — | — | — | — | — | 1/1 |
| Tayvon Gray | D | 90 | 5.9 | — | — | 1 | — | 2 | — |
| Substitutes | |||||||||
| Kevin Pierre | M | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Tomás Romero | G | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Mitja Ilenič | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Raul Gustavo | D | 12 | 6.5 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Talles Magno | F | 23 | 6.5 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Malachi Jones | F | 23 | 6.2 | — | — | — | — | — | 2/5 |
| Kevin O'Toole | D | 30 | 6.2 | — | — | — | — | — | 0/1 |
| Máximo Carrizo | M | 30 | 6.2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Philadelphia Union
| Player | Pos | Min | Rating | G | A | Shots | SoT | Key Passes | Dribbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bruno Damiani | F | 90 | 8.6 | 2 | — | 2 | 2 | — | — |
| Frankie Westfield | D | 90 | 7.3 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 0/1 |
| Andre Blake(C) | G | 90 | 7.2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Danley Jean Jacques | M | 90 | 7.2 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1/3 |
| Cavan Sullivan | M | 80 | 7.2 | — | 2 | 3 | — | 2 | 1/2 |
| Kai Wagner | D | 90 | 7.0 | — | — | — | — | 3 | — |
| Nathan Harriel | D | 90 | 6.5 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Indiana Vassilev | M | 70 | 6.5 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 0/1 |
| Milan Iloski | F | 90 | 6.2 | — | — | 3 | 1 | 2 | — |
| Jovan Lukić | M | 62 | 6.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Neil Pierre | D | 90 | 5.6 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — |
| Substitutes | |||||||||
| Japhet Sery Larsen | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Jeremy Rafanello | M | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Agustin Anello | F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Ben Bender | M | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Andrew Rick | G | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Ezekiel Alladoh | F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Jesus Bueno | M | 28 | 6.9 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — |
| Quinn Sullivan | M | 20 | 6.9 | — | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | 1/1 |
| Alejandro Bedoya | M | 10 | 6.5 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |