Philadelphia Union 0-1 New York City FC Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs | Eastern Conference Semifinals Date: Sunday, November 23, 2025 | Kickoff: 7:57pm ET Location: Subaru Park | Philadelphia, PA Attendance: 19,210
New York City FC recorded an outstanding 1-0 win in the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Philadelphia Union. A tight game saw the visitors claim a first-half lead through Maxi Moralez in the 27th minute. Both sides battled to find further goals, but in the end, it was Moralez's strike that punched New York City's ticket into the Eastern Conference Final.
UP NEXT: The ‘Boys in Blue’ are set to face Inter Miami CF in the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs Eastern Conference Final. More information regarding the match will be announced in the coming days | Apple TV: MLS Season Pass | Radio (English/Spanish) newyorkcityfc.com/radio
After today’s win, New York City advanced to the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs Eastern Conference Final against Inter Miami CF.
New York City has advanced to the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals or further in three of the nine times the Club has qualified for the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs.
This was achieved in the 2021, 2022, and 2025 seasons.
In 2021, New York City won MLS Cup.
In 2022, New York City made it to the Eastern Conference Final and lost to Philadelphia Union 3-1.
Entering the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs as the fifth seed, the Club has finished fifth or higher in the Eastern Conference in eight of the nine MLS Regular Seasons it has qualified for the playoffs. The 2020 season marked the only other time New York City entered as the fifth seed and the only instance in Club history in which it did not advance past the first round.
As the lower seed in the MLS Cup Playoffs, New York City holds an all-time record of 6-4-4.
All-time (excluding own goals) New York City currently has scored 600 goals across the MLS Regular Season and MLS Cup Playoffs.
With his goal in tonight’s match, Midfielder Maxi Moralez becomes the oldest player in Club history to have scored in an MLS Cup Playoff match (38 years and 269 days).
Before Moralez, former Forward David Villa held the record as the oldest player to score in an MLS Cup Playoff match (36 years and 332 days).
Moralez has scored a goal in all four of the Club’s MLS Cup Playoff matches against the Philadelphia Union.
Moralez is the only player to score multiple goals against the Union in the playoffs. No other player in the MLS has scored more than one.
Maxi Moralez is tied for the third most goals scored by a single player against an opponent during the MLS Cup Playoffs (5).
The most is 11 by Roy Lassiter vs. Columbus, followed by Carlos Ruiz with eight against Colorado, and six players (including Moralez) are tied with 5.
New York City has conceded only one goal in four matches in the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs.
In away matches, New York City’s all-time record in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs is 5-5-4, scoring 17 goals and conceding 20.
All-time, New York City have scored first in seven of their away matches in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs. When scoring first in these matches, New York City posted a record of 4-1-2.
Overall, in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, New York City has posted a record of 10-9-5 (W-L-D).
All-time, in the MLS Regular Season and in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, New York City has a winning record against Philadelphia at 13-12-2 (W-L-D).
New York City has only lost once to Philadelphia in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs with a 3-1-0 record. New York City is 1-0-0 at home and 2-1-0 on the road.
With their starts in the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs Eastern Conference Semifinals at Subaru Park on November 23, 2025, Midfielder Justin Haak and Midfielder Maxi Moralez have started every match for the Club in the 2025 MLS Season (34 in the 2025 MLS Regular Season and four in the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs).
Forward Agustín Ojeda has featured in every match for the Club in the 2025 MLS season (34 in the 2025 MLS Regular Season and four in the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs).
Midfielder Jonathan Shore made his first Audi MLS Cup Playoff start and appearance in tonight’s match.
With his second assist recorded in tonight's match, Agustín Ojeda now has two assists in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs.
Overall, Midfielder Nicolás Fernández Mercau has appeared in 15 MLS matches (including the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs), recording five goals and two assists.
Fernández Mercau recorded his first assist in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, bringing his postseason totals to two goals and one assist.
Over his last 11 MLS appearances (including the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs) since September 13, 2025, against Chicago Fire FC, Fernández Mercau has scored five goals and recorded one assist.
Including the 2025 MLS Regular Season and Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs, the Club is 7-1-0 on the road since Fernández Mercau debuted in a 4-3 victory against FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium on July 25, 2025. Fernández Mercau recorded an assist in this victory, his first goal contribution for the Club.
In addition to his assist against Dallas, he has scored four goals on the road and recorded one assist: (Chicago Fire FC, New York Red Bulls, twice against Charlotte FC, and once against the Philadelphia Union).
In Club history, seven New York City FC Homegrown players have appeared in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs: Midfielder James Sands (8), Defender Tayvon Gray (9), Midfielder Justin Haak (9), Midfielder Jonathan Shore (1) Forward Seymour Reid (1), former Defender Joe Scally (1), and former Midfielder Andres Jasson (1)
For appearances in Audi MLS Cup Playoff history for the Club, Moralez ranks first with 22.
All-time in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs for the Club, Moralez leads the team in both goals scored and assists recorded (6G, 7A).
Thus far in the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs in three matches, Freese has recorded 12 saves and conceded one goal, recording three clean sheets in Game 1 and Game 2 in the Round One Best-of-3 series against Charlotte and in the Eastern Conference Semifinal against the Philadelphia Union. His goals-against average (GAA) over this span is 0.25.
All-time in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs for the Club, Freese surpasses former Goalkeeper Sean Johnson with the most clean sheets in Club history with four clean sheets.
All-time in Club history in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs against Philadelphia, Moralez leads in goals, assists and total goal contributions.
He has five total goal contributions (4G, 2A) in four Audi MLS Cup Playoff matches against the Union.
The only other player for the Club to have recorded two assists in three Audi MLS Cup Playoff matches against the Union was former Defender Anton Tinnerholm.
The only other players for the Club to record more than one goal contribution against Philadelphia in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs were former Forward Ismael Tajouri-Shradi (1G, 1A) and former Defender Anton Tinnerholm doing so in two matches (2A).
With his goal in tonight’s match, Midfielder Maxi Moralez becomes the oldest player in Club history to have scored in an Audi MLS Cup Playoff match (38 years and 269 days).
Before Moralez, former Forward David Villa held the record as the oldest player to score in an Audi MLS Cup Playoff match (36 years and 332 days).
Moralez has scored a goal in all four of the Club’s Audi MLS Cup Playoff matches against the Philadelphia Union.
Moralez is the only player to score multiple goals against the Union in the playoffs. No other player in the MLS has scored more than one.
Maxi Moralez is tied for the third most goals scored by a single player against an opponent during the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs (5).
The most is 11 by Roy Lassiter vs. Columbus, followed by Carlos Ruiz with eight against Colorado, and six players (including Moralez) are tied with five.
NEW YORK CITY FC HEAD COACH PASCAL JANSEN
On withstanding pressure from Philadelphia Union and team's defensive resilience... “Well, you know at some point, especially here in ‘Philly’ [Philadelphia] with the players they have and the way they play, that phase is going to come and that they will get their moments [to attack], and they did. It's always a very pleasant thought that you have [Goalkeeper] Matt Freese in the goal...He is one of the best there is and he's in good shape and shows that again tonight. Also, you see the commitment and the resilience that the team shows in particular moments to defend with their lives and have that block or throw their body in between the shot and the goal, it's so impressive. But again, that foundation was laid on the training [pitch].”
On the leadership of Midfielder Maxi Moralez today... “It was a massive goal today, but it's not only about today. His leadership was there from day one. He's been a great inspiration for the whole dressing room since day one because he came back from a severe injury last season. If you see how much commitment he's shown throughout the season to be available and bring the level to the game that he's done, this doesn't surprise me. I'm very happy for him and for the team with a fantastic goal."
On the game plan tonight and the feeling after the final whistle... “The game plan from the first whistle was to fight, and we were ready to do that as soon as the game kicked off. Going into halftime with the lead, we knew they would press us. They're a very aggressive team, but we handled it well and slowed the game down when we needed to. I think that’s what got us over the line.”
On Goalkeeper Matt Freese's performance... “I would say he saved us in the second half. I don’t know who had the first shot; that close one with the reaction save, and then [Philadelphia Union Forward Milan] Iloski’s shot. I was right behind it and thought the ball was in the goal, and then out of nowhere Freese comes flying across with a great save. It really [goes to show] how he's been playing for us for the past two years [and] with the U.S. Men's National Team. He's finally getting recognition across the League. As a group we're super happy for him and super happy he's on our team.”
NEW YORK CITY FC MIDFIELDER MAXI MORALEZ
Sobre sus comentarios iniciales después de alcanzar otra Final de Conferencia… "Es casi los últimos de mi carrera, así que siempre es lindo. La verdad que feliz porque llegamos a otra final [de conferencia], no es fácil. Estoy contento por el grupo y contento por el partido que hicimos. Creo que hicimos un gran partido, lo manejamos bien. Y la verdad creo que es merecido también haber llegado a la final."
On opening remarks after reaching another final... "These are almost my last years of my career, so it’s always nice. Honestly, I’m happy because we reached another [conference] final. It isn’t easy. I’m happy for the group, happy with the match we played. I think we played a great match, we managed it well, and I think we deserved to reach the [Eastern Conference] Final.”
On scoring his sixth playoff goal and performing at age 38... “For me to score at this age is beautiful. I am 38 years old, so as I said before I scored in 2021, 2022, and now today [against Philadelphia Union in the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs Eastern Conference Semifinal], so it’s beautiful to score, but it's even more beautiful to win. We have another final next week, a difficult final [against Inter Miami CF], but now we need to enjoy this moment. Tomorrow, we’ll focus on the next match.”
Scored with right footed shot from the center of the box with an xG of 49% to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Nicolás Fernández, second assist by Agustín Ojeda.
An Eastern Conference Semifinal was the stage for the meeting of New York City FC and the Philadelphia Union on Sunday evening.
The third playoff meeting between the two teams in five years, New York City was keen to record a memorable victory at Subaru Park.
Head Coach Pascal Jansen made several changes to the team that overcame Charlotte FC 3-1 last time out, with Andrés Perea and Alonso Martínez missing through injury, and Aiden O’Neill serving a suspension.
In their place came Jonny Shore, Raúl Gustavo, Agustín Ojeda, and Hannes Wolf.
A tense and tight start to the contest saw Philadelphia’s relentless pressing test the composure of New York City in possession.
In the 15th minute, New York City turned the tables on their opponents when Maxi Moralez nicked the ball off Jakob Glesnes high up the field and passed inside to Nicolás Fernández Mercau—his strike taking a deflection and crashing against the post before bouncing back into play.
At the other end, Bruno Damiani fired off a low drive that Matt Freese failed to gather at the first attempt. Thankfully, he was able to pounce on the loose ball before it crept across the line.
The deadlock was eventually broken just before the half-hour mark thanks to a wonderful team goal capped off by Moralez.
The move began down the right with beautiful wing play from Ojeda, who drove inside and passed to Nicolás Fernández. He then slid the ball behind the defensive line to meet Moralez’s run—the diminutive Argentine side-footing the ball past Andre Blake for his fourth goal in four playoff games against the Union.
A corner for the Union then found Olwethu Makhanya free at the back post, but his header bounced safely into Freese’s hands.
Ojeda was proving a menacing presence out wide, and he went close to doubling New York City’s advantage with a shot from distance that drew a good save from Blake.
Tai Baribo was then handed a great chance to draw the Union level but missed the target.
Glesnes then had two looks at goal in quick succession just before halftime but was unable to beat Freese.
The first chance of the second half fell to the Union and Jovan Lukic, before Nicolás Fernández came within inches of producing a goal-of-the-season contender.
The talented playmaker picked up the loose ball from a Union corner and attempted an audacious curled effort from within his own half—Blake’s desperate attempt to claw it away proving successful at the last possible moment.
The hosts continued to push for an equalizer, forcing a sensational save from Matt Freese in the 75th minute after a deflected effort landed at the feet of Frankie Westfield at the back post.
He looked destined to score, only for Freese to produce a brilliant kick save to deny him.
Jansen turned to his bench for the first time in the 78th minute as he introduced Mitja Ilenič in place of Hannes Wolf.
Minutes later, New York City produced another great counter-attack when Ojeda and Nicolás Fernández combined down the left.
The latter squared it to Maxi Moralez, who tested substitute goalkeeper Andrew Rick with a stinging effort.
As the clock ticked toward the 90th minute, Westfield was once again found free at the back post but blazed his effort high and wide of the target.
Jansen’s second change of the evening saw Moralez make way for Strahinja Tanasijević. In stoppage time, Milan Iloski unleashed a dangerous effort from distance that Freese did brilliantly to tip around the post.
New York City’s final substitution of the night saw Julián Fernández replace Nico Fernández. The Union threw everything forward in search of an equalizer, but a dogged defensive display from New York City held firm.
That resilience proved enough to secure a famous 1-0 victory, punching their ticket to the Eastern Conference Final against Inter Miami CF next weekend.
