With Milan Iloski out for the next two games with a hamstring injury, and Bruno Damiani suspended against Nashville due to yellow card accumulation, there is an opportunity for Malik Jakupovic, Agustín Anello and Ezekiel Alladoh. Richter gave his thoughts after the match on Anello and Jakupovic's performance: "I think Augie came in and brought good energy into the game. And especially when we go into this, if we go three in the back, I think he has a really important role to play in that. Because he’s a guy you can put on the left side and gives us an option there that maybe isn’t so similar to the other guys that we would put in that position. ... "And then Malik the same. With every decision of when the guys come in, it’s what can we do to help the team win? And these guys have to continue to push every day in training, every opportunity that comes in the game. It’s pushing for more minutes. It’s pushing to move yourself into a position where you’re getting called upon more. I thought both the guys did a good job to bring good energy into the game."

If you’re going to read anything this morning, read this story from Adam Crafton talking about the life of former Philadelphia Union goalkeeper Holden Trent. So many injuries he battled throughout his life, and yet he still achieved his dream of becoming a professional soccer player. Inspirational story. #doop

Episode 445 - Union Suffer First Loss Since May 24 in 2-1 Loss to New England #doop xitter.cf/i/broadcasts/1YxNrbwAp…

The Philadelphia Union lose their first game since May 24 in 2-1 loss to New England Revolution Kai Wagner offered a sharp assessment, saying the performance reflected a team that has been acting as if it has already clinched a playoff spot over the last two weeks. Wagner has never hesitated to call out teammates, ownership, or opponents, and Saturday was no exception. “It reflects a little bit the last two weeks how we were training, and I think a lot of people need to know now that we are not in the playoffs yet,” Wagner said. “We didn’t make the step yet, and I think it’s a great run what we did, but it doesn’t mean anything if you don’t follow it up. And now we made it really hard on ourselves, because I think today we had the chance to do it for ourselves at home to go into the playoffs. Now we have two really hard away trips where we probably need to win at least one of them. It will not be easy to go into Nashville.” 🔗 thefreekick.substack.com/p/t… 📸Philadelphia Union #Doop

The Union found themselves behind for only the fifth time in 16 games under interim head coach Ryan Richter. The Union pushed for the equalizing goal late into stoppage time, but it wasn't enough as they fell 2-1, ending their 15-game unbeaten streak. Frankie Westfield talked about the grit of his team pushing for the equalizer. "I think it’s very important to look at. We’re not going to give up. We haven’t given up this whole second half of the season. We’ve come from behind, and we know we can come back in big games like this. I think it’s going to help us move forward. Augie had a big chance. I had a couple big chances. Neil gets the goal, like you said. I just think that’s the grit that we want to show, especially that grit that’s going to be more important in the playoffs when we advance." #doop

With his yellow card, Bruno Damiani will miss the Union's game against Nashville on Wednesday. Dumb yellow to pick up. #doop

Shout out to @brianwagner1234 for having a fantastic memory. Cavan Sullivan did indeed hurt his ankle in the 38th minute after getting tangled up with Charlotte defender David Schnegg. *Sorry for the poor quality. two days after the game, the video gets compressed not using Safari or Apple TV. #doop

Here was Ryan Richter's response on Thursday to @thegoalkeeper's question about not seeing Cavan Sullivan practicing on the field during Wednesday's practice opened to the media. "Yeah, he’s all good. He took a knock in the game on Saturday against Charlotte, and we’re just trying to manage that through this week. But he should be available for Saturday. So he’s out on the field today, but like I said, just managing that through the week and trying to get him so that he’s at his best for this weekend." Cavan wound up playing the full 90 minutes against Charlotte despite the knock. #doop

Worth noting that the Union start their last three games in a week stretch tomorrow against New England, with a Wednesday game away to Nashville coming up. No sense of risking any further damage to Cavan’s ankle with playoffs coming up. Would expect Quinn Sullivan / Indy Vassilev starting tomorrow with more significant minutes off the bench for Ben Bender tomorrow. Would like to see Agustín Anello get more minutes as well.

BREAKING: Cavan Sullivan is OUT for tomorrow’s game against New England Revolution with an ankle injury. Interim head coach said on Thursday that Cavan picked up a knock against Charlotte last Saturday, he returned to training on the field on Thursday and said Sullivan “should be” available on Saturday. 📸 Philadelphia Union

Interim head coach Ryan Richter spoke of the news yesterday during his midweek press conference. “I think the next steps are for him to continue to progress as a player here. The announcement of the new contract is a show of faith from the club and a show of faith from him, his family, and his side that we’re in this together and that things are going really well right now. So our job is to keep focusing on the day-to-day and keep focusing on the game-to-game and continue his progression as a player. And for the most part, he’s done a really good job of that.” Pierre, 19, has been a standout performer for the Union in 14 MLS games this season, scoring four goals and helping keep four clean sheets in 1,200 minutes. #doop

The Philadelphia Union have announced that centerback Neil Pierre has signed a new long-term contract with the club through 2030-2031, with an option for 2031-2032. Pierre has appeared in 14 MLS games, scoring four goals, and helping keep four clean sheets. “Neil is one of the brightest young center backs in our league, and he has consistently made the most of the opportunities he’s earned throughout his development within our club,” said Philadelphia Union Sporting Director Jon Scheer. Pierre gets a raise for his standout performances in the second half of the season, while the Union maximize Pierre’s value, making sure they get the best offer possible for a future sale. 📸 @donrobson

Cavan Sullivan, Neil Pierre and Frankie Westfield all named to MLS 22 Under 22 Cavan Sullivan finishes No. 1 as the Union place three players on the list for the ninth straight year 🔗 thefreekick.substack.com/p/c… #doop

Cavan Sullivan, Neil Pierre and Frankie Westfield have all been named to MLS’ 22 Under 22 for the 2026 season. This marks the ninth consecutive season the Union have had at least one player represented on the list. Cavan Sullivan (1) takes the number one spot, joining Brenden Aaronson (2020) as the only other Philadelphia Union player to take the number one spot. Sullivan has a fantastic season so far for the Union with seven goals and seven assists (sorry I’m not including MLS secondary assists). Pierre (7) earns his first appearance on the list, and has been revolutionary for the Union since his return from Lyngby this summer. Pierre has four goals on the season and has help keep four clean sheets in 14 apps. Westfield (11) moved up seven spots from last season and has continued to build another strong season in 2026. He currently leads the Union with eight assists. All three players recently made their debuts with the USMNT this past window. 📸 Philadelphia Union #doop

Episode 444 - Union Extend Unbeaten Streak to 15 with 2-2 Draw Against Charlotte #doop #mls xitter.cf/i/broadcasts/1aJbdEgYl…

Once again, Jovan Lukic had a terrific game for the Philadelphia Union yesterday in their 2-2 draw against Charlotte. There have been Serbian fans online recently who would like to see the midfielder called up to the national team. Lukic has admitted he’s seen the chatter online. Despite the chatter, he said he hasn’t had any conversations with the federation about a potential call-up. "Yeah, I mean, so far I’ve heard some things about it as well, but personally I wasn’t in touch with the federation, so I don’t know. That’s the dream of every player, and that’s my big goal to be a part of the national team, but I’m not in a rush. It’s how God says, and when I deserve it, I’m going to be there. I hope soon, or in one or two years. I don’t know when that’s going to happen, but I’m trying my best, and if they call me, I’m ready for it." cc: @SerbianFooty #doop