Union Fall 1-0 to NYCFC in Eastern Conference Semifinal Clash

Philadelphia’s record season came to an end on Sunday night with a 1-0 loss to NYCFC in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. The visitors scored in the 27th minute when Maxi Moralez slipped behind the back line and finished from a tight angle.

Bradley Carnell had his full group available aside from Quinn Sullivan, who is still recovering from an ACL tear. Blake started behind Wagner, Glesnes, Harriel, and Makhanya. Lukić, Vassilev, Jean Jacques, and Iloski formed the midfield, with Damiani and Baribo up top. NYCFC arrived with changes due to season-ending injuries to Perea and Martínez.

The match opened quickly with Fernández hitting the post in the 15th minute after NYCFC created the first real threat. Damiani answered with a shot from distance that Matt Freese saved. Moralez then punished the Union after a series of quick passes cut through the center of the field.

Philly pushed before halftime through Iloski, Baribo, Damiani, and Glesnes, but Freese kept NYCFC in front.

NYCFC always looked in control. Even when Philly thought they had them boxed in, NYCFC still created danger from their own half - including the sequence that forced Blake into that massive save, which ended with him injured. Blake was replaced by Andrew Rick soon after.

Philly created their best chance around the 70th minute with the fresh legs of Westfield linking up with Iloski, only to be stopped by Freese. Other than that opportunity, the team looked like it had no “quarterback.” Nobody wanted to slow the game down, take charge, or dictate tempo. Too many guys were stuck in that 6/10–7/10 worker-bee zone: Lukić, Danely, Damiani, Vassilev, Bueno. High effort, low personality. That’s fine if you have someone to play through, but who are they working for if there’s no queen piece?

Cavan Sullivan entered late as the Union threw everything forward. Iloski nearly equalized deep into stoppage time, but Freese made another full-stretch save. NYCFC saw out the final moments and advanced.

On the night, every loose ball broke NYCFC’s way. In another match, the Union’s press forces turnovers instead of half-chances the other way. The attacking numbers say it all: 18 shots, only 5 on target. And realistically, only one real chance at home that truly should go in. The chance creation problem was real and persistent.

Meanwhile, Maxi Moralez and Nicolás Fernández ran the entire match. They’re exactly the profile Philly lacks - players who can unlock a defense and change a rhythm with one sequence. NYCFC showed the blueprint: you can be physical, disciplined, and still have just enough quality in the right spots to flip a game. They didn’t go to Charlotte to put on a show; they went to frustrate and punish. And when their moment arrived, their stars took it. Their plan against the Union was no different.

They never panicked, never broke shape, and never looked overly threatened. Philly simply didn’t have anyone to take over, and NYCFC had two.