The Philadelphia Union did two things they hadn’t done all season this past Saturday. Their 1-0 win over Seattle Sounders was their first clean-sheet victory of the season, and Philly is on their first winning streak of 2026! The back-to-back victories in their return to MLS play have the Union out of last place for the first time in months, and some fans are starting to believe that this team has the potential to make a second-half burst to the playoffs. That is thanks to some key factors.
Philadelphia Union fans celebrate a goal scored against their rival, the New York Red Bulls
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The Vibes are back up for the Philadelphia Union
It may seem odd to say a team that is one point above last place in MLS has positive vibes, but that is exactly what is engulfing this Philadelphia Union team. The changes made in the front office and at the coaching position have this team believing that they can dig themselves out of the hole they created.
With Ryan Richter at the helm, players are playing up to their full potential. There is a simple style to how the first two wins have felt: the team was solid at the back and direct in their attacks from crosses, corners, and dangerous passes. Beating the New York Red Bulls 3-1 and Seattle Sounders 1-0 has Philly believing they can be competent again in MLS.
The team came back from the World Cup break bolstered with confidence. Milan Iloski is becoming “the guy” in the attack, and Kai Wagner and Quinn Sullivan are returning to create chances. Add all of those with young stars Cavan Sullivan, Frankie Westfield, and Neill Pierre balling out, and this team could legitimately make a playoff push in the second half of the MLS season.
The Philadelphia Union celebrates Defender Neil Pierre’s goal on his first team debut in a 3-1 win over the New York Red Bulls.
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A truly talented striker: Milan Iloski
Last summer when the Philadelphia Union signed Milan Iloski, many thought that the team had found its final piece to winning silverware. The team did win the Supporters’ Shield in 2025, but Iloski was primarily playing in a number 10 role. Now, he is a striker, and he’s on his way to being an elite one. Nine goals in half a season isn’t too shabby, especially when you’re the leading scorer on an underperforming team.
When Ryan Richter took over as interim coach, he talked with Iloski about him being his top striker. That has paid off two games after that conversation, as Milan has scored three goals in 180 minutes. His knack for creating his own shot, finishing off a key pass, and grittiness to fight for every blade of grass make him a prototypical Union striker.
Iloski has scored in the Union’s last five games and is just four goals off the MLS Golden Boot lead. While it might be a long shot for him to get to be the top scorer in the league, Milan Iloski is “the guy” up top for Richter. Coupling him with the right strike partner or a creative number 10 behind him could elevate Milan Iloski from a quality finisher to one of MLS’s elite strikers.
Philadelphia Union striker Milan Iloski scoring his 9th goal of the season vs Seattle Sounders
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Wagner and the Sullivans create real attacking chances
The Philadelphia Union’s play style is one filled with fighting for every blade of grass; defensive stability and direct attacking sequences to catch the opposition off guard. This has been lacking for the first half of the 2026 season, but this second half could be a different story.
Kai Wagner coming back to the Union after half a season away in Birmingham is huge for Philadelphia. Not only does he calm things down for what has been a shaky backline, but he also creates dangerous attacks with his passing ability. The left back was involved in the buildup of three of the Union’s four goals in their last two matches and will be the lynch pin to how the team does going forward.
So too do the Brothers’ Sullivan. Cavan is a penciled-in starter for Ryan Richter, who has now coached him from the youth levels all the way to the top-tier league in US Soccer. His ability to create space and draw defenders will give the likes of Iloski and other attackers room to get goals. Quinn is back from his ACL injury last year, and has already shown how special he is in limited minutes. The shifty runs on and off the ball and pinpoint precision on his passes and crosses give Philly a chance creator on the right side of the field.
Kai Wagner celebrates his assist in his first game back with the Philadelphia Union
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Pierre and Westfield lead from the back
On the backline, there is some shifting around for the Union, but that has helped the overall vibe of the team. Makhanya is reportedly off to Rangers in Scotland; he’s been replaced by 18-year-old Neil Pierre, who has come in and scored a goal on his debut and helped Philly to their first clean-sheet victory in his first two games.
Sery seems to be bitten by an injury bug, and Harriel has moved to the center back role, showing his versatility. Left back has finally been filled by Wagner’s return. Now Richter has a young and hungry backline willing to die for one another.
Wagner, Pierre, Harriel, and Westfield look to be the backline for Richter moving forward. The center back pairing is an interesting one. Harriel has always had the grit to succeed in MLS. Moving to center back to be a leader next to an 18-year-old will be a telling next step for him. Pierre is so good he’s getting interest from teams like Barcelona. He’s 6’7”, can track the ball well, has good closing speed, and uses his body very well, and he will win just about every ball in the air in defense or on set pieces. He’s a generational prospect in defense; hopefully he can bring this Union team toward a playoff spot.
We already discussed Wagner on the left, but Westfield on the right might be another breakout star. Right now leads the team in assists with four. His grit, determination, and eye for a good pass make him vital to this team’s efforts moving forward. Out of what feels like thin air, the Union has a backline of dogs ready to fight to make this Philly team relevant again.
18-year-old Neil Pierre has fit in seamlessly in his first two matches for the Philadelphia Union
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Ryan Richter’s “freedom” approach
Almost all stakeholders in the Philadelphia Union organization have shown how much the changes that have been made were needed. This is especially true when you look at the head coaching position. Ryan Richter has six points from two games, whereas Bradley Carnell had seven points from 15 games.
Richter has preached that he wants to create a culture where the players feel free to do the best they can do. There are expectations to produce, but the man-managing style takes the pressure off. All of the players have mentioned his approach with the team as one that has brought the joy and freedom back. You can tell on the field. The collective effort is back; there’s rallying when they win a throw-in, and a decisiveness to defend as a unit and be direct in attack.
Richter has this team feeling the freedom and joy now that they have won two in a row. With nine points separating the Union from a playoff spot, we’ll have to see if he can keep this going. Philly has one more match in MLS play before a break for the Leagues Cup tournament to start in August. Then Richter’s team will play their final 16 MLS matches over a four-month span. Let’s see if they can redeem themselves to end their 2026 campaign!
Philadelphia Union Interim Head Coach Ryan Richter has won his first two matches in charge!
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