New York City FC appeared firmly in control Sunday night at Yankee Stadium, but a disastrous second half saw the Philadelphia Union erase a two-goal deficit and hand the Boys in Blue a stunning 3-2 defeat.
Bénie Traoré and Luighi both converted first-half penalty kicks to give NYCFC a 2-0 advantage, but Philadelphia responded with three unanswered goals after halftime, including a brace from Bruno Damiani.
The match, played before 20,034 fans, marked NYCFC’s 150th MLS regular-season game at Yankee Stadium.
New York City couldn’t have asked for a better start.
After Andrés Perea was pulled inside the penalty area, Traoré stepped to the spot and converted in the fourth minute for the quickest NYCFC goal of the 2026 MLS season. It was also Traoré’s first MLS goal and first goal for the club since arriving in late June.
NYCFC doubled its advantage just before halftime after Indiana Vassilev was called for a handball. Making his MLS debut and first league start, Luighi converted the ensuing penalty in the 45th minute of stoppage time for his first NYCFC goal.
The two conversions improved NYCFC to a perfect seven-for-seven from the penalty spot this season and gave the club 10 goals from set pieces.
Everything changed after halftime.
Philadelphia needed only three minutes to begin its comeback. NYCFC failed to clear a Kai Wagner free kick, allowing Danley Jean Jacques to score from close range and cut the lead to 2-1.
New York nearly restored its two-goal advantage, with Andre Blake making a strong save on James Sands’ header. Instead, Philadelphia continued gaining momentum.
In the 69th minute, Cavan Sullivan found Damiani during a quick Union counterattack, and the forward finished to level the match at 2-2. Six minutes later, another counter proved decisive. This time Quinn Sullivan provided the service and Damiani scored his second goal, suddenly putting Philadelphia ahead 3-2.
NYCFC pushed for an equalizer late, even sending goalkeeper Matt Freese forward for a stoppage-time free kick. Freese managed to connect with a header but couldn’t direct it on target, ending New York’s final opportunity.
The loss snapped NYCFC’s three-game MLS unbeaten streak and dropped the club to 7-7-5, seventh in the Eastern Conference. New York is now 4-4-3 at home this season.
The night also featured several individual milestones. Sands made his 150th appearance for NYCFC across all competitions, Talles Magno reached 100 career MLS appearances, Max Murray made his MLS debut and first start, and Agustín Ojeda played his 75th MLS regular-season match for the club.
But those milestones were overshadowed by one of NYCFC’s most frustrating defeats of the season: a match in which two successful penalties and a 2-0 halftime advantage still weren’t enough to secure a point.
- Philadelphia Union Erase Two-Goal Deficit to Stun NYCFC 3-2 at Yankee Stadium
- Charlotte FC Returns to MLS Play With 3-1 Victory Over Columbus Crew
- Jacob Hickey Scores Game-Winner as Shamrocks Take Game 1 of WLA Finals
- The Riverhounds Beat The Battery With A Strong 3-1 Performance
- Charm Use Multiple Runs To Win Inaugural WLL Title
