SOCCER: Tayvon Gray's late header lifts NYCFC past 10-man Philadelphia

Tayvon Gray scored a dramatic header in the ninth minute of second-half stoppage time to give New York City FC a 2-1 win over the 10-man Philadelphia Union on Sunday in Chester, Pa.

Gray’s second career MLS goal, and first since the 2024 season, came eight minutes after Philadelphia defender Olwethu Makhanya was sent off for a second yellow card due to dissent.

Hannes Wolf opened the scoring for NYCFC before halftime, helping the team (1-0-1, 4 points) record its second consecutive win in Philadelphia, following a 1-0 victory in the 2025 Eastern Conference semifinal.

Philadelphia appeared in control for much of the second half, with Indiana Vassilev converting an 89th-minute penalty to pull the Union (0-2-0, 0 points) level. The penalty was awarded after referee Chris Penso ruled that Thiago Martins had fouled Stas Korzeniowski in the box. Vassilev’s finish went down the middle, giving Philadelphia hope of a late victory.

However, that hope ended when Makhanya was sent off after arguing a referee decision. NYCFC seized the moment, scoring the winner on a recycled play. Talles Magno crossed from the left, finding Agustin Ojeda near the top corner of the penalty area. Ojeda curled an inswinging cross, and Gray outmuscled his marker to head it past goalkeeper Andre Blake.

Ojeda also helped set up NYCFC’s 36th-minute opener. He sent a diagonal pass to Nicolas Fernandez, whose shot forced a diving save from Blake. Wolf pounced on the rebound, slotting it into an open net.

The Union struggled to score from open play for a second straight match, following the offseason departures of key members of their 2025 Supporters’ Shield-winning squad, including leading scorer Tai Baribo and striker Mikael Uhre.

-Field Level Media/Reuters