CHESTER, Pa. — Tayvon Gray scored a header in the ninth minute of stoppage time to give New York City FC a 2-1 victory over the Philadelphia Union Sunday at Subaru Park, marking their first win of the 2026 Major League Soccer season.
The late goal secured three points for NYCFC in a tightly contested match, a rematch of last season’s Eastern Conference Semifinal, which New York City FC won. The Union, seeking revenge on their home field, pushed hard for an equalizer after Indiana Vassilev converted a penalty in the 89th minute, but Gray’s decisive header proved to be the difference.
NYCFC took the lead in the 36th minute through Hannes Wolf, capitalizing on a rebound after a save by Philadelphia goalkeeper Andre Blake on a shot from Nicolás Fernández Mercau. The goal came after a period of sustained pressure from the visitors, who dominated possession early in the match.
Philadelphia responded with increased intensity in the second half, creating several dangerous opportunities. The Union were awarded a penalty after Thiago Martins was judged to have fouled Stas Korzeniowski, a call that sparked debate but ultimately stood after review. Vassilev calmly slotted the penalty home to level the score.
The match took another turn when Philadelphia defender Olwethu Makhanya received his second yellow card in the second minute of stoppage time, leaving the Union to play a man down for the remainder of the contest. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Philadelphia continued to press for a winner, but NYCFC ultimately found the breakthrough.
The winning play began with a cross from Agustín Ojeda, which Gray met with a well-placed header, sending the ball past Blake and into the back of the net. The goal, scored in the 99th minute, capped off a dramatic finish to a hard-fought match.
NYCFC midfielder Keaton Parks made his first MLS start since May 2025, playing the full 90 minutes, a positive sign for his return to form. The team also saw a near miss from Ojeda in the 26th minute, when his shot struck the right post.
Despite a missed opportunity from substitute Seymour Reid in the 82nd minute and another in the 86th, NYCFC continued to push forward, ultimately rewarded with Gray’s late winner. The victory handed Philadelphia its first home-opener loss since 2012.
