Sullivan Assists Twice as Union Rally Over NYCFC in 3-2 Yankee Stadium Thriller

Sixteen-year-old Cavan Sullivan provided two assists as the Philadelphia Union overcame a two-goal deficit to defeat New York City FC 3-2.

The Philadelphia Union (5-10-4) secured a 3-2 comeback victory against New York City FC (7-7-5) on Sunday night at Yankee Stadium, fueled by Bruno Damiani’s first two goals of the season and a two-assist performance from 16-year-old Cavan Sullivan. Despite trailing by two goals at halftime, Philadelphia surged back in the second period to earn their fourth consecutive win under 37-year-old interim coach Ryan Richter, who took over following Bradley Carnell’s departure in late May.

New York City FC established an early lead in the 4th minute when Bénie Traoré converted a penalty kick. The opportunity arose after Union midfielder Neil Pierre committed a foul on Andrés Perea. This strike marked Traoré’s first goal in his fourth appearance since his transfer from Swiss club FC Basel 1893. The hosts doubled their advantage two minutes into first-half stoppage time via another penalty, this time converted by Luighi Hanri Sousa Santos in his league debut. The forward, currently on loan from Brazilian side SE Palmeiras through the end of the season, earned the attempt following a foul on Union midfielder Indiana Vassilev.

Second Half Turnaround at Yankee Stadium

Philadelphia initiated their recovery three minutes into the second half. Danley Jean Jacques found the net to cut the deficit to 2-1, recording his third goal of the campaign and matching his scoring total from the previous season. The goal was facilitated by assists from Cavan Sullivan and defender Kai Wagner. Wagner’s contribution brought his season assist total to four and his career tally to 67 across 208 appearances for the club.

The Union equalized in the 69th minute when Sullivan provided his second assist of the night, setting up Bruno Damiani for his first goal of the season. Sullivan has now recorded all six of his career assists during this season, a span covering 17 appearances and 10 starts. In the two seasons prior, the teenager had logged 224 minutes across 14 appearances with only one start.

Damiani Secures the Game-Winner

Bruno Damiani completed the comeback in the 75th minute, scoring the go-ahead goal to make it 3-2. The decisive strike was assisted by Quinn Sullivan, the 22-year-old brother of Cavan, marking Quinn's first assist of the current season. Defensively, Philadelphia goalkeeper Andre Blake finished the match with two saves to preserve the lead. On the opposing side, United States goalkeeper Matt Freese also recorded two saves for NYCFC.

Following this result, the Philadelphia Union return home to host Inter Miami CF on Wednesday. New York City FC will look to rebound as they travel to face FC Cincinnati. The match statistics reflect a tightly contested battle where the Union overcame a 2-0 halftime deficit to secure three points on the road. Sullivan’s playmaking proved the catalyst for the offensive explosion in the final 45 minutes of play.