3 takeaways from the Revolution’s 2-1 win vs. the Union

New England Revolution

New England jumped into second place in the Eastern Conference after ending Philadelphia’s unbeaten run.

By Hayden Bird

October 25, 2026 | 9:54 AM

3 minutes to read

The Revolution pulled off a successful three-point heist in Philadelphia on Saturday night, downing the Union 2-1 in a clash between two resurgent Eastern Conference contenders.

Goals from Dor Turgeman and Carles Gil overcame the stoppage time Philadelphia tally from Neil Pierre.

With the win, the Revolution moved up to second place in the Eastern Conference.

Here are the takeaways:

New England ends Philadelphia’s streak

Since the World Cup break, the Union were unbeaten in league play heading into Saturday night, completely reigniting playoff hopes that appeared nonexistent a few months ago. The Revolution were 6-2-0 in their last eight road games prior to the game against the Union, reversing some early-season struggles away from Gillette Stadium.

The Revolution have already clinched a playoff spot, but remain locked in a battle to clinch home-field advantage in the first round of MLS postseason play (requiring a top-four finish). A matchup on the road against the hottest team in the league proved to be yet another positive barometer reading for New England head coach Marko Mitrovic.

While the Union were missing 17-year-old rising star Cavan Sullivan (out with an injury), the Revolution were once again with Alhassan Yusuf (hamstring) and Jack Harrison (quad).

Given the context, securing a road win to end the Union’s unbeaten run is a feather in New England’s cap. And with the postseason closing in, it will be an injection of confidence for Mitrovic’s comparatively younger roster.

Peyton Miller returned to left back

After spending much of the season — especially in the last few months — operating as a winger, 18-year-old academy graduate Peyton Miller returned to his original role as a left back.

With regular left back Will Sands ruled out due to injury, Miller stepped back into the defensive role. 

Testament to his 2026 evolution to become more of an outright attacking threat as a winger, Miller was involved in both New England goals. His header on Gil’s cross was the perfect setup for Turgeman’s opening goal. He also provided the long ball to Gil before the Spaniard ran into the box and was tripped (leading to the penalty kick and second goal).

The game was also a small window into the risk-reward nature of Miller as a left back. Immediately before his pass to Gil ahead of the penalty kick, he was caught up-field and out of position after a turnover, which nearly resulted in a Union equalizer. His defensive positioning — and balancing when to attack and when to defend  — remains imperfect. Yet what the Revolution might periodically lose in defensive solidity, Miller more than makes up for with his contributions when New England is in possession.

Joshua Wynder is one to watch

One of the defining attributes of the Mitrovic era has been a commitment to giving younger players a chance. And while that was easy in the case of Miller (a player who has been productive virtually since making his MLS debut at age 16), the first-year Revolution head coach deserves credit for installing players like Brooklyn Raines and Ethan Kohler as well.

An additional name is being etched onto that list in the form of center back Joshua Wynder. The 21-year-old is on loan from Portuguese powerhouse Benfica, joining New England in September.

While he initially looked a little rough around the edges in his positioning, Wynder has quickly settled in. On Saturday, he again showed his capability for almost all of the game (the lone exception being Pierre’s goal in stoppage time, though it was a slightly unfortunate series of events given that the ball somehow bounced off the corner flag prior to the cross without going out of bounds).

But his passing was again notable — no other Revolution player averaged more than 50 percent on long balls, while Wynder completed six out of 10. He is also capable of forays forward, which he again showed on Saturday in a few moments.

Like all of the Revolution’s younger players, he is an unfinished product. Yet Mitrovic and New England’s coaching staff remain confident in playing him, even with veteran center back Mamadou Fofana returning from injury (he was an unused substitute on the bench). Fofana will likely return to the lineup soon when he’s fully fit, but Wynder’s development is one more positive indicator for the Revolution.