After claiming just a single point in their previous match, Philadelphia Union II’s goal was to claim all three points and get a clean sheet and they did just that as the club defeated Loudoun United FC 4-0 at Subaru Park Wednesday night.
The night was full of memorable moments as all four goal scorers registered their first USL Championship goals with Union II midfielder Steven Kingue joined by Union Academy members Brandan Craig, Anthony Sorenson and Caden Stafford. On the defensive side of the pitch, Union homegrown goalkeeper Matt Freese picked up his second clean sheet of the season with a four-save night.
With Loudoun making 13 saves over the weekend, Interim Head Coach Marlon LeBlanc stressed to the club the importance of making the most of their scoring chances and the young squad that average just 18.3 in the starting XI did just from the opening whistle. Midfielder Axel Picazo chased down a ball on the wing to keep it in play and crossed it into the box. Loudoun United attempted to head the ball clear but it fell to Craig who volleyed from the air and into the back of the net in the sixth minute. The goal marked once again a new youngest goal scorer in Union II history with Craig ranking now fifth in league history at just 16 years, 5 months and 10 days.
Union II didn’t let their foot off the accelerator as defense turned into offense in the 20th minute on a combination play from Sorenson and Paxten Aaronson. Sorenson began the play with a timely tackle just outside the Union II box and immediately played the ball forward and began to race up the left flank. As Loudoun United raced back, Aaronson side stepped a pair of defenders and noticed the fast run from Sorenson and threaded a pass that the left back collected at the 18-yard box. Sorenson needed just one touch before firing a hard shot on frame that knocked off the keeper and into the back of the net.
12 minutes later the lead extended again in Union II’s favor as Craig forced a turnover with a timely press and started the attack via Picazo. The midfielder ate up space and forced Loudoun to collapse, leaving forward Patrick Bohui space to drift out wide. As the angle tightened the Academy player was unselfish as he flicked a cross in front of goal that Kingue tapped in for this first goal in his 24th appearance with the club.
Union II capped off the night with yet another impressive goal late in the contest as future Union homegrown Jack McGlynn drifted wide and raced toward the Loudoun goal once more. As the defense locked on the midfield, he slipped a pass to substitute Caden Stafford unmarked on the right side of the box. With a center back racing to cover, the forward blasted a right-footed shot that rang the netting to cap off the club’s second victory of 2020.
Union II looks to build off the result on Sunday evening as they begin a home-and-home series against Hartford Athletic. Kick off from Subaru Park is scheduled for 5 p.m. with the contest broadcast on ESPN+.
