Thursday, October 1, 2026
79 ° Clear
79 ° Clear
Philadelphia Union put together a statement 5-0 win against FC Cincinnati Wednesday night, led by a Bruno Damiani hat trick and goals from the spot by Milan Iloski and Quinn Sullivan, extending the Blue and Gold’s unbeaten streak to nine consecutive games under Interim Head Coach Ryan Richter.
Philadelphia Union forward Bruno Damiani (9) celebrates with midfielder Quinn Sullivan (33) after scoring a goal against FC Cincinnati in the second half at Subaru Park.
Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
The turning point in the game came just 12 minutes in when FC Cincinnati's Obinna Nwobodo put in a late and dangerous challenge on Union’s Frankie Westfield, catching him in the ankle with studs up and eventually being shown a Red Card after referee Joe Dickerson was sent to the monitor by VAR.
10-man Cincinnati did their best to withstand the pressure for as long as possible, but just before half-time it was Quinn Sullivan who opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 43rd minute to give Union a 1-0 lead at home.
The goal from Sullivan was his first of the 2026 season, his first since returning from an ACL injury, and his first in league play dating back to May of last year.
Just before the final whistle of the opening half, it was Bruno Damiani who doubled Union’s lead heading into the locker room with his fourth goal of the MLS season. Cavan Sullivan, who accepted the ball inside the box to Roman Celentano’s right-hand side, played a fizzing pass through the front of goal, finding Damiani all alone at the back post to extend the lead.
Just four minutes into the second half, Bruno Damiani notched a brace on the night after receiving a pass inside the penalty area from Quinn Sullivan. Damiani hit the ball with his left foot on his first touch, tucking it inside the far post to Celentano’s left and extending Union’s lead to 3-0 at Subaru Park.
Then in the 61st minute, Bruno Damiani made it a hat trick after blasting a ball top shelf past Celentano to extend Union’s lead to 4-0 at home. Union turned 10-man Cincinnati over in their own half and eventually Cavan Sullivan fed the ball to Damiani to blast home, registering his second assist of the game.
To put a cap on the night, 17-year-old Malik Jakupovic earned a penalty for the Blue and Gold after a strong press forced Cincinnati into a turnover on a goal kick. Milan Iloski stepped up to the spot in the 89th minute and sent Celentano the wrong way to score his team-leading 12th goal of the MLS season, ending this one in a 5-0 win for the Philadelphia Union at home.
Andre Blake’s second consecutive clean sheet improves DOOP’s overall record to eight wins, six draws, and 10 losses on the season for a total of 30 points, leaving them four points above the Eastern Conference Playoff line after being 11 points back coming out of the World Cup break just nine games ago.
Under Interim Head Coach Ryan Richter, the Philadelphia Union are unbeaten in nine consecutive games, with a record of six wins, two draws, and zero losses, while outscoring their opponents 23 goals for to nine goals against.
FC Cincinnati forward Ayoub Jabbari (99) and Philadelphia Union defender Kai Wagner (27) jump for a header in the first half at Subaru Park.
Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
Ryan Richter’s side will head out West Sunday night to take on San Diego FC, looking to extend their unbeaten streak to 10 consecutive games
