Philadelphia Union vs New York Red Bulls
Philadelphia Union secure comfortable win over Red Bulls
A strong second-half display sees Philadelphia pull clear after an early exchange of goals.
Philadelphia Union took an early lead through M. Iloski before C. Cowell levelled for New York Red Bulls in the first half. However, after the break, I. Vassilev and an additional Philadelphia goal sealed a 3-1 victory for the home side. The result matched Fipster's prediction of a home win, though the margin was a bit more decisive than forecast.
Analysis
The Philadelphia Union host the New York Red Bulls in what promises to be a closely contested MLS regular season clash. Both teams have shown attacking flair recently, but the Union's home advantage and recent scoring streak give them the edge.
This match is part of the 2026 MLS regular season, round 18. Philadelphia Union have been impressive on the road recently, scoring in four of their last five away games, while New York Red Bulls boast creative midfielders who have been pivotal in their attacking play. Both sides come into this fixture with full squads and no significant injury concerns.
Philadelphia Union's attacking threat largely revolves around Milan Iloski, who has netted three goals in his last away match and consistently earns high ratings. Their defensive solidity, anchored by Olwethu Makhanya and Nathan Harriel, will be crucial to contain the Red Bulls' forwards. New York's midfield duo Ronald Donkor and Adri Mehmeti provide creative spark with multiple assists recently, and forwards like Jorge Ruvalcaba and Julian Hall have been in fine scoring form. However, the Union's home form and balanced team performance suggest they can edge this encounter.
Prediction
Expect a tight game with a goalless first half as both sides probe cautiously. Philadelphia Union are predicted to clinch a 2-1 victory by full time, with Iloski likely to be on the scoresheet again. The match should see around four cards, reflecting a competitive but fair contest. Confidence in this outcome stands at 42%, acknowledging the closely matched nature of the teams.
Outcome probability
Key Insights
Philadelphia's attacking reliance on Iloski
Iloski's strong recent goal form and involvement make him Philadelphia's main scoring threat.
NY Red Bulls' creative midfield strength
Donkor and Mehmeti provide high assist potential, supporting multiple attacking outlets.
Philadelphia's recent scoring streak away
Philadelphia has scored in 4 of last 5 away games, showing improved offensive output on road.
Defensive solidity from Philadelphia's backline
Makhanya and Harriel show strong defensive stats, crucial against NYRB's forwards.
No significant injuries reported
Both teams have no reported injuries, so full squads expected to compete.
Key Takeaways
In summary, Philadelphia Union's home advantage and recent scoring momentum should see them narrowly overcome the New York Red Bulls. Fans can anticipate an entertaining match with key individual battles, particularly in midfield creativity and defensive resilience. A 2-1 scoreline in favour of the Union looks the most probable result.
- Philadelphia Union have scored in 4 of their last 5 away games this season.
- Milan Iloski is Philadelphia's top scorer recently with 3 goals in the last away match.
- New York Red Bulls' Ronald Donkor has provided 2 assists in the last home match.
- Philadelphia's defenders Olwethu Makhanya and Nathan Harriel have strong tackling and passing stats.
- No significant injuries reported for either team, full squads expected.
- Predicted total cards for the match is 4, indicating a competitive game.
Player Insights
Standout players Fipster expects to impact the match — curated highlights, not full squad lists
Home — Philadelphia Union
Away — New York Red Bulls
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
Iloski
Cowell
Assist: Forsberg
Dos Santos
Sery Larsen
Vassilev
Assist: Westfield
Goal
Assist: Wagner
Vassilev
Marshall-Rutty
Forsberg
Cowell
Donkor
Yellow Card
Sullivan
Valencia
Yellow Card
Iloski
Berggren
Yellow Card
Match Statistics
Philadelphia Union
4-4-2Starting XI
- 4J. LukićM
- 5J. Sery LarsenD
- 6Cavan SullivanM
- 9B. DamianiF
- 10M. IloskiF
- 18A. BlakeG
- 19I. VassilevM
- 21D. Jean-JacquesM
- 26N. HarrielD
- 27K. WagnerD
- 39F. WestfieldD
Substitutes
- 2G. MartínezD
- 8J. BuenoM
- 11A. BedoyaM
- 16B. BenderM
- 23E. AlladohF
- 28A. AnelloF
- 33Q. SullivanM
- 76A. RickG
New York Red Bulls
4-3-3Starting XI
- 2J. CheD
- 3J. Marshall-RuttyD
- 7C. CowellF
- 10E. ForsbergM
- 11J. RuvalcabaF
- 12D. NealisD
- 15A. MehmetiM
- 16J. HallF
- 34E. HorvathG
- 48R. DonkorM
- 56M. Dos SantosD
Substitutes
- 4G. BerggrenM
- 5O. ValenciaD
- 14J. BazánD
- 26T. ParkerD
- 37M. SofoF
- 70A. RojasF
- 77J. McCarthyG
Philadelphia Union
| Player | Pos | Min | Rating | G | A | Shots | SoT | Key Passes | Dribbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bruno Damiani | F | 96 | 8.5 | — | — | 2 | 2 | 4 | 3/3 |
| Milan Iloski | F | 85 | 8.0 | 1 | — | 4 | 3 | 4 | 0/1 |
| Cavan Sullivan | M | 85 | 7.9 | — | — | 2 | 2 | 1 | 6/6 |
| Indiana Vassilev | M | 73 | 7.3 | 1 | — | 2 | 1 | 1 | — |
| Danley Jean Jacques | M | 96 | 7.2 | — | — | 2 | — | — | 1/1 |
| Kai Wagner | D | 96 | 7.2 | — | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | — |
| Nathan Harriel | D | 96 | 7.2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Frankie Westfield | D | 96 | 6.9 | — | 1 | 2 | — | 3 | — |
| Andre Blake(C) | G | 96 | 6.7 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Jovan Lukić | M | 96 | 6.5 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — |
| Japhet Sery Larsen | D | 56 | 6.2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Substitutes | |||||||||
| Geiner Martínez | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Alejandro Bedoya | M | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Agustin Anello | F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Ben Bender | M | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Andrew Rick | G | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Ezekiel Alladoh | F | 11 | 6.7 | — | — | — | — | — | 1/1 |
| Quinn Sullivan | M | 23 | 6.6 | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | — |
| Jesus Bueno | M | 11 | 6.3 | — | — | — | — | — | 1/1 |
New York Red Bulls
| Player | Pos | Min | Rating | G | A | Shots | SoT | Key Passes | Dribbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ethan Horvath | G | 96 | 8.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Cade Cowell | F | 74 | 7.2 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0/1 |
| Ronald Donkor | M | 96 | 6.7 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2/2 |
| Justin Che | D | 96 | 6.6 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1/1 |
| Julian Hall | F | 96 | 6.6 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | 0/2 |
| Jorge Ruvalcaba | F | 96 | 6.5 | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | 0/1 |
| Matthew Dos Santos | D | 45 | 6.3 | — | — | — | — | — | 1/1 |
| Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty | D | 74 | 6.3 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
| Emil Forsberg(C) | M | 74 | 6.2 | — | 1 | — | — | 4 | — |
| Adri Mehmeti | M | 96 | 6.2 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1/2 |
| Dylan Nealis | D | 96 | 5.9 | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | — |
| Substitutes | |||||||||
| Andy Rojas | F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| John McCarthy | G | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Tim Parker | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Julián Bazán | D | 22 | 6.6 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — |
| Mohammed Sofo | F | 22 | 6.3 | — | — | — | — | — | 1/1 |
| Omar Valencia | D | 51 | 6.2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Gustav Berggren | M | 22 | 6.2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |