Tayvon Gray scored a header in the ninth minute of second-half stoppage time, leading New York City FC to a 2-1 victory over the Philadelphia Union on Sunday in Chester, Pa.
Gray’s second career MLS goal, and his first since the 2024 season, came just eight minutes after Philadelphia defender Olwethu Makhanya was sent off for his second yellow card due to dissent.
Hannes Wolf also scored for NYCFC (1-0-1, 4 points) before halftime, marking their second consecutive win in Philadelphia after a 1-0 victory in a 2025 Eastern Conference semifinal.
Indiana Vassilev scored a penalty in the 89th minute to bring the Union (0-2-0, 0 points) back to level terms after they dominated the second half.
However, Philadelphia failed to score from open play for the second match in a row, following a offseason that saw them part ways with several key players, including top scorer Tai Baribo and striker Mikael Uhre.
The Union had consistently attacked NYCFC’s goal until their equalizer, after a penalty was awarded when referee Chris Penso ruled that Thiago Martins brought down Stas Korzeniowski in the box.
Vassilev converted the penalty with a powerful shot down the middle, quickly retrieving the ball as it seemed the hosts might secure a win.
Things shifted when Makhanya disputed a penalty decision and received a red card.
NYCFC took advantage of the extra man and found their winning goal after an initial attack was cleared.
Talles Magno retrieved the ball on the left side of the penalty area and passed to Agustin Ojeda near the top corner of the box.
Ojeda delivered an inswinging cross, and Gray outmuscled his opponent to score with a strong header that left goalkeeper Andre Blake with little chance to react.
Ojeda was also involved in NYCFC’s first goal in the 36th minute, providing a diagonal pass that set up Nicolas Fernandez’s shot, forcing Blake to make a diving save.
Wolf was quick to follow up, scoring into an open net before Blake could recover.