- New York City FC have won two and drawn one of their three home matches across all competitions this season
- Philadelphia Union have won three and lost two of their last five in all competitions.
- New York City FC have averaged 1.0 goals at home against Philadelphia in MLS 2026 while the Union have averaged 2.5 goals as visitors.
Clash of styles on cards
Philadelphia Union visit the Yankee Stadium on Sunday in an MLS 2026 clash of a club in 11th with 26 points from 18 matches against a club in 27th with 16 points from 18 games.
New York City FC have three wins, one draw and one defeat in their last five matches and will probably have enough to see off Philadelphia Union, who have three wins and two losses in their respective categories during the same period.
But the odds of 2.12 for the hosts in this game are a touch short and Philadelphia are also a touch long at 3.05. A draw looks possible at 3.7, but the play here is NYCFC or draw with over 1.5 goals in the Bet Builder market.
Jansen’s City have structure and structure
Pascal Jansen has had New York City FC playing a structured, possession-first game since he took charge in January 2025. They have been patient in their build-up, but always looking to press at the right times to get the ball back.
The City side are 4-3-3 at home in MLS 2026, which isn't a bad foundation for the season and it has kept them in the game at Yankee Stadium, where they have been hard to beat.
They crushed Atlanta United 3-0 at home in MLS 2026, but then fell 1-0 away to Cruz Azul in the CONCACAF Leagues Cup. New York City FC then beat Chicago Fire 3-1 at home in MLS 2026, drew Toronto FC 1-1 at home in MLS 2026 and then shut Santos Laguna out 2-0 in the CONCACAF Leagues Cup.
Philadelphia have live wire in Milan Iloski
Philadelphia Union's form and record is nowhere near as good as New York City's, particularly away from home where they have lost seven, won one and drawn once in nine games in MLS 2026.
Ryan Richter appears to have the Union leaning into a more aggressive, transition-heavy approach than some of their recent predecessors, where they press high and run after turnovers.
Milan Iloski has been Philadelphia's live wire in MLS 2026, netting ten times in 18 games, and has scored six of their 11 goals in the last five games.
Nicolas Fernandez has been the talisman for NYCFC in MLS 2026, scoring 13 goals in 18 matches, but has only got three of their eight in the past five games.
Union can nick a goal
Philadelphia Union have only scored 15 times in nine away matches in MLS 2026, but they can nick a goal on Sunday when the result is going against them.
The last two head-to-head meetings have both been won by New York City FC, who beat the Union 2-1 away in MLS 2026 five months ago.
