Philadelphia Union vs New York RB preview

United States flag 2026 Major League Soccer, United States
Subaru Park Wed, 22 Jul - 11:30 PM
Major League Soccer
Philadelphia UnionPHI
3 1
New York RBNYR
Full Time Wed, 22 Jul 11:30 PM
Regular Season
Milan Iloski - 9'
Indiana Vassilev - 57'
Neil Pierre - 66'
Goal
|
Goal
Cade Cowell - 38'

CONTEXT

Philadelphia Union defeated New York RB by a score of 3-1 in a match that showcased a remarkable turnaround after an even first half. Despite New York RB holding 63 percent possession, the home team capitalized on their opportunities effectively. The expected goals favored Philadelphia Union with 3.21 to 0.88, reflecting their clinical finishing. Entering halftime at 1-1, the second half saw Philadelphia Union pull ahead decisively. This result highlights the winner's ability to overcome the stronger designated team through superior efficiency in key moments. The absence of any red cards allowed for a full-strength contest throughout the ninety minutes. Overall, the performance metrics underscored a game where data aligned closely with the final outcome.

TL;DR

  • Structural deviation: Philadelphia Union recorded a significant structural deviation in securing the victory.
  • Efficiency shift: The efficiency shift was in line with the overall performance metrics.
  • xG alignment: The match outcome aligned with the expected goals differential of 2.33.
  • Market alignment: The result proved consistent with pre-match market alignment indicators.
  • xG expectations: Philadelphia Union generated 3.21 expected goals compared to 0.88 for New York RB.
  • Event impact: The halftime score of 1-1 led to a decisive second-half performance by the home side.
  • Red card distortion: No red cards were issued, resulting in no distortion to the match dynamics.
No standings statistics available.
No head-to-head records found.
0.5+ goals: 85%
1.5+ goals: 70%
2.5+ goals: 50%
3.5+ goals: 25%
Confidence: High (≥8 matches)

Quality vs Volume

Home: xG 1.8, Shots 12, xG/Shot 0.15
Away: xG 1.5, Shots 14, xG/Shot 0.11

Open Play vs Set Play

Open Play: 65%
Set Play: 35%

Expected Points

TeamxPts
Home1.8
Away1.2
ℹ️ Methodology: Expected Goals (xG) measures shot quality
F. Bazakos
F. Bazakos
Referee • 25 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 30.4
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 4
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0.36
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0.36
League Avg 0
Philadelphia Union R. Richter
R. Richter
VS
New York RB M. Bradley
M. Bradley
0.47
Avg Points / Game (Last 100 Matches)
1.47
0.33 i
Last 6 Opponents
Inter Miami Rank: 76 L
Columbus Crew Rank: 65 D
Orlando City Rank: 63 L
New England Rank: 60 L
Nashville SC Rank: 72 D
Columbus Crew Rank: 65 L
Avg Points / Game (Last 6 Matches)
1.67 i
Last 6 Opponents
Sporting KC Rank: 51 W
New York City Rank: 66 D
Columbus Crew Rank: 65 W
Chicago Fire Rank: 65 W
Dallas Rank: 66 L
Cincinnati Rank: 67 L
2
Head to Head (Wins - Draws - Losses)
2 - 1 - 1
1

Team Power Ranking

i
What is Power Ranking?
Power ranking is SportMonks' model-based team strength indicator. Historical input capped to 2 seasons.
60.92
61.02
0 (Weakest) 100 (Strongest)
Metric
Philadelphia Union
New York RB
Power Score
60.92
61.02
League Position
15
5
Global Rank
507
503

Form Analysis Opponent-Weighted

Line chart of recent results (points/trend). Friendlies excluded by default. Hover for opponent, result, xG/xGA and power ranking — based on last 6 matches.

–
vs
Philadelphia Union — Opponent-weighted form score
New York RB — Opponent-weighted form score
Win (3 pts) Draw (1 pt) Loss (0 pts) Philadelphia Union New York RB

Heatmaps Ball coordinates

Attack and defence zones from ball position data. Filters: last 6 matches (overall/home/away), time period, competition.

–
vs

Philadelphia Union

Left / Center / Right —
Opposition half density —
vs season average —

New York RB

Left / Center / Right —
Opposition half density —
vs season average —

Possession Efficiency Possession-Adjusted

How effectively each team uses and defends their share of possession. Efficiency adjusted based on team possession percentage

Philadelphia Union ⚠ Proxy
vs
⚠ Proxy New York RB
Attacking Efficiency
Higher is better
Attacking Efficiency
13.65
6.55
Defensive Efficiency
Lower is better
Defensive Efficiency
6.55
13.65
Combined Efficiency Index Z-score combining attacking and defensive possession-adjusted efficiency.
Positive = above league average.
Negative = below league average.
Formula: EfficiencyIndex = z(AttackEff) − z(DefenceEff)
-3 0 3
Philadelphia Union +0.49 Efficiency Index
vs
New York RB -0.49 Efficiency Index
xG data unavailable for both teams. Values estimated using shots and dangerous attacks (proxy). Confidence: Medium.
Philadelphia Union
New York RB
AttackEff = xG ÷ pos
DefenceEff = xGA ÷ (1−pos)

Set Pieces Efficiency Attack & Defence

Set-piece reliance and strength using expected metrics and actual outcomes for each team.

Philadelphia Union
vs
New York RB
Created Set-piece attacking threat
Philadelphia Union New York RB
Set-piece xG Share Share of total expected goals generated from set pieces. Higher = more set-piece reliant in attack.
34%
10%
Goals per Match Average set-piece goals scored per match.
0.00 0.00
vs Expected (xG) Goals scored minus set-piece xG. Positive = overperforming; Negative = underperforming expectations.
-1.08 vs -0.08
Conceded Set-piece defensive exposure
Philadelphia Union New York RB
Set-piece xGA Share Share of total expected goals conceded from set pieces. Higher = more exposed to set pieces defensively.
10%
34%
Conceded per Match Average set-piece goals conceded per match.
0.00 0.00
vs Expected (xGA) Goals conceded minus set-piece xGA. Positive = conceding more than expected (bad); Negative = conceding less than expected (good).
-0.08 vs -1.08
Philadelphia Union
New York RB
xG Share = set-piece xG ÷ total xG
vs Expected = goals − set-piece xG

Counter / Transition Attack & Defence

What happens in the 15 seconds immediately after possession changes hands — based on Last 6 matches.

–
Philadelphia Union
vs
New York RB
Attack After Winning Possession transition → offence
Philadelphia Union New York RB
Goals per Match Average goals scored within 15s of winning the ball per match. ↑ better
—
—
Shots per Match Average shots taken within 15s of winning the ball per match. ↑ better
—
—
Dangerous Attacks Average dangerous attacks launched within 15s of winning possession per match. ↑ better
—
—
Transition Efficiency Index Composite score (0–1) of how efficiently this team attacks within 15s of winning the ball. Higher = more dangerous on transition. Higher = stronger on the counter
Philadelphia Union 0.38
New York RB 0.24
Defence After Losing Possession loss → defensive exposure
Philadelphia Union New York RB
Goals Conceded Average goals conceded within 15s of losing the ball per match. ↓ better
—
—
Shots Conceded Average shots conceded within 15s of losing the ball per match. ↓ better
—
—
Dangerous Attacks Conceded Average dangerous attacks allowed within 15s of losing possession per match. ↓ better
—
—
Vulnerability Index Composite score (0–1) of how exposed this team is within 15s of losing the ball. Lower = better at preventing transition attacks. Lower = better transition defence
Philadelphia Union 0.00
New York RB 0.13
Philadelphia Union
New York RB
Window = 15s post-possession change
Index = 0–1 composite score

PRESSURE INDEX

Momentum phases from smoothed minute-by-minute pressure.

  • PHI had peak pressure around 70'.
  • PHI started the game with stronger pressure.
PHI Pressure NYR Pressure
⚡
Pressure Index: PHI reached the top pressure at 70' (100.00).

Team Head to Head Last 6 Seasons

Summary of 4 matches between these sides — filtered by competition and venue context.

Philadelphia Union PHI Home
4 matches
New York RB NYR Away
Match Record
2
Wins
1
1
Draws
1
1
Losses
2
Goals
4
Goals Scored
1
1
Goals Conceded
4
+3
Goal Difference
-3
Expected Goals
0
xG
0
0
xGA
0

Data last updated: 2026-07-23T00:03:12+00:00

STARTING XI

Match Formation 4-4-2
Match Formation 4-3-3
Pitch
A. Blake
Jamaica
18 (C) A. Blake
F. Westfield
United States
39 F. Westfield
N. Harriel
United States
26 N. Harriel
J. Sery
Substitution
Denmark
5 J. Sery
K. Wagner
Germany
27 K. Wagner
C. Sullivan
Substitution
6 C. Sullivan
D. Jean Jacques
Haiti
21 D. Jean Jacques
J. Lukić
Serbia
4 J. Lukić
I. Vassilev
Substitution
United States
19 I. Vassilev
B. Damiani
Uruguay
9 B. Damiani
M. Iloski
Substitution
United States
10 M. Iloski
E. Horvath
United States
34 E. Horvath
M. Dos Santos
Substitution
56 M. Dos Santos
D. Nealis
United States
12 D. Nealis
J. Che
United States
2 J. Che
J. Marshall-Rutty
Substitution
Canada
3 J. Marshall-Rutty
E. Forsberg
Substitution
Sweden
10 (C) E. Forsberg
A. Mehmeti
15 A. Mehmeti
R. Donkor
Mali
48 R. Donkor
J. Ruvalcaba
Mexico
11 J. Ruvalcaba
J. Hall
United States
16 J. Hall
C. Cowell
Substitution
United States
7 C. Cowell

General Information

Date & Time
Jul 22, 2026, 11:30 PM
Competition
2026 Major League Soccer, United States · Regular Season
Stadium
Subaru Park
Capacity
18500
Pitch Surface
Grass
Weather
☀️ 12°C, Fair
Referees
Fotis Bazakos

Statistics

Possession
PHI
45%
NYR
55%

Top Statistics

3 Goals 1
5 Big Chances Created 2
10 Shots 3
84 Dangerous attacks 55
37 Possession 63
8 Corners 6
10 Free kicks 13
0 Yellow Cards 3

Match Overview

24 Ball Safe 35
4 Goal Kicks 11
7 Goal Attempts 4
4 Substitutions 4
22 Throwins 17
2 Hit Woodwork 0
1 Successful Headers 4
13 Dribble Attempts 11
12 Successful Dribbles 6
92 Successful Dribbles Percentage 55

Attacking

123 Attacks 125
3 Big Chances Missed 1

Possession

63 Long Passes 48
278 Passes 509
190 Successful Passes 426
68 Successful Passes Percentage 84
16 Key Passes 7
27 Successful Long Passes 17
43 Successful Long Passes Percentage 35

Defensive

4 Saves 6
13 Tackles 6
13 Interceptions 6
47 Duels Won 38

Build-up

24 Total Crosses 14
10 Accurate Crosses 3

Discipline

1 Offsides 0
13 Fouls 10

Lineup

Referee : Fotis Bazakos

Starting XI ▼

18
Andre Blake
Andre Blake (C) Goalkeeper
6.58
5
Japhet Sery Larsen
Japhet Sery Larsen Defender
6.41
44
Neil Pierre
Neil Pierre
Defender56'
26
Nathan Harriel
Nathan Harriel Defender
6.72
27
Kai Wagner
Kai Wagner Defender
6.67
39
Frankie Westfield
Frankie Westfield Defender
6.4
4
Jovan Lukić
Jovan Lukić Midfielder
6.53
6
Cavan Sullivan
Cavan Sullivan Midfielder
6.62
8
Jesús Bueno
Jesús Bueno
Midfielder85'
19
Indiana Vassilev
Indiana Vassilev Midfielder
6.64
33
Quinn Sullivan
Quinn Sullivan
Midfielder73'
21
Danley Jean Jacques
Danley Jean Jacques Midfielder
6.6
9
Bruno Damiani
Bruno Damiani Attacker
6.41
10
Milan Iloski
Milan Iloski Attacker
7.17
23
Ezekiel Alladoh
Ezekiel Alladoh
Attacker85'
Referee : Fotis Bazakos

Starting XI ▼

34
Ethan Horvath
Ethan Horvath Goalkeeper
6.16
2
Justin Che
Justin Che Defender
6.32
3
Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty
Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty Defender
6.4
14
Julián Bazán
Julián Bazán
Defender74'
12
Dylan Nealis
Dylan Nealis Defender
6.39
56
Matthew Dos Santos
Matthew Dos Santos Defender
6.29
5
Omar Valencia
Omar Valencia
Defender46'
10
Emil Forsberg
Emil Forsberg (C) Midfielder
6.58
4
Gustav Berggren
Gustav Berggren
Midfielder74'
15
Adri Mehmeti
Adri Mehmeti Midfielder
6.56
48
Ronald Donkor
Ronald Donkor Midfielder
6.4
7
Cade Cowell
Cade Cowell Attacker
6.42
37
Mohammed Sofo
Mohammed Sofo
Attacker74'
11
Jorge Ruvalcaba
Jorge Ruvalcaba Attacker
6.55
16
Julian Hall
Julian Hall Attacker
6.49

Events

2ND-HALF
88'
Event
Gustav Berggren
Argument / 3rd Yellowcard
Event
Ezekiel Alladoh → Milan Iloski
7th Substitution
85'
Event
Jesús Bueno → Cavan Sullivan
8th Substitution
85'
85'
Event
Omar Valencia
Foul / 2nd Yellowcard
77'
Event
Ronald Donkor
Foul / 1st Yellowcard
74'
Event
Julián Bazán → Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty
4th Substitution
74'
Event
Gustav Berggren → Emil Forsberg 
5th Substitution
74'
Event
Mohammed Sofo  → Cade Cowell
6th Substitution
Event
Quinn Sullivan  → Indiana Vassilev
3rd Substitution
73'
Event
Neil Pierre
Header / 4th Goal
66'
Event
Indiana Vassilev
Left foot shot / 3rd Goal
57'
Event
Neil Pierre → Japhet Sery Larsen
2nd Substitution
56'
46'
Event
Omar Valencia → Matthew Dos Santos
1st Substitution
1ST-HALF
38'
Event
Cade Cowell
Right foot shot / 2nd Goal
Event
Milan Iloski
Right foot shot / 1st Goal
9'

Match Commentary

90
Attempt Attempt
Julian Bazan takes a right-footed shot, but it is saved.
88
Attempt Attempt
Neil Pierre takes a left-footed shot, but it hits the post.
88
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Yellow card shown to Gustaf Beggren.
87
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
85
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
85
Substitution Substitution
Jesus Bueno is substituted for Cavan Sullivan.
85
Update Update
Ezekiel Alladoh is on, and Milan Iloski is off.
84
Attempt Attempt
Neil Pierre attempts a header but misses the shot.
84
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
77
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Ronald Donkor receives a yellow card.
75
Attempt Attempt
Quinn Sullivan takes a right-footed shot but misses.
75
Substitution Substitution
Substitution: Mohammed Sofo replaces Cade Cowell.
75
Update Update
Gustaf Beggren comes on for Emil Forsberg.
74
Update Update
Julian Bazan comes on for Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty.
74
Attempt Attempt
Danley Jean Jacques takes a right-footed shot but misses.
73
Update Update
Quinn Sullivan is on, and Indiana Vassilev is off.
69
Attempt Attempt
Dylan Nealis takes a shot with his head, but it misses the target.
69
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
66
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Shot - Neil Pierre Head Shot Goal
66
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! The score is now 3-1.
66
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! The score is now 3-1.
65
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
64
Attempt Attempt
Milan Iloski takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
63
Attempt Attempt
Francis Westfield takes a right-footed shot but misses.
61
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
59
Attempt Attempt
Indiana Vassilev takes a left-footed shot but misses.
59
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
57
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Indiana Vassilev scores with a left-footed shot.
57
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! The score is now 2-1.
56
Attempt Attempt
Milan Iloski takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
56
Update Update
On Neil Pierre, off Japhet Sery Larsen.
54
Attempt Attempt
Julian Hall takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
52
Attempt Attempt
Jorge Ruvalcaba takes a right-footed shot, but it is saved.
50
Attempt Attempt
Cavan Sullivan's left-footed shot is saved.
50
Attempt Attempt
Cavan Sullivan's left-footed shot is saved.
50
Attempt Attempt
Danley Jean Jacques takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
46
Attempt Attempt
Jorge Ruvalcaba takes a right-footed shot but misses.
46
Update Update
Omar Valencia comes on for Matthew Dos Santos.
45
Update Update
Offside.
45
Attempt Attempt
Bruno Damiani takes a left-footed shot, but it is saved.
44
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
38
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Cade Cowell scores with a right-footed shot.
38
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! Cade Cowell scores, making it 1-1.
37
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! The score is now 1-1.
36
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
34
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
34
Attempt Attempt
Milan Iloski takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
24
Attempt Attempt
Kai Wagner takes a left-footed shot, but it's blocked.
24
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
23
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
23
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
22
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
20
Attempt Attempt
Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty takes a right-footed shot but misses.
20
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
19
Attempt Attempt
Dylan Nealis takes a shot, but it's saved.
19
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
15
Attempt Attempt
Adri Mehmeti's left-footed shot is blocked.
9
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Milan Iloski scores with a right-footed shot.
9
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! Milan Iloski scores to make it 1-0.
5
Attempt Attempt
Emil Forsberg takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
5
Attempt Attempt
Emil Forsberg takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
5
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
3
Attempt Attempt
Francis Westfield takes a right-footed shot but misses.
2
Attempt Attempt
Milan Iloski takes a right-footed shot, but it is saved.
1
Update Update
Kick-off! The referee is Fotis Bazakos.

CONCLUSION

The victory for Philadelphia Union stands as a testament to their resilience and tactical adjustment in the latter stages of the contest. Despite trailing in possession, their ability to convert chances proved decisive against a New York RB side that dominated the ball but lacked the cutting edge in attack. With expected goals heavily in favor of the winners, the 3-1 scoreline accurately reflected the underlying performance levels. This outcome reinforces the importance of efficiency over mere territorial control in modern soccer. Both teams will take lessons from this encounter as they progress through the season, with Philadelphia Union gaining momentum from the result.