Chester, PA (September 24, 2023) – Philadelphia Union II took on New York Red Bulls II for their final match of the regular season at MSU Soccer Park on Sunday afternoon, winning 3-1. With the win, Union II secure a spot in the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs and finished the regular season in seventh place in the Eastern Conference with 42 points. In the 20th minute, midfielder Jeremy Rafanello scored off a free kick with a right footed shot to put Union II in the lead. Just before half, defender Hugo Le Guennec scored his first MLS NEXT Pro goal with a right footed shot to the top left corner from outside of the box to double Union II’s lead. New York responded with a goal in the 73rd minute by Julian Hall. Midfielder David Vazquez scored Union II’s third and final goal, securing all three points on the road and clinching a playoff spot.
New York Red Bulls II (1) – Philadelphia Union II (3)
MSU Soccer Park (Montclair, NJ)
Sunday, September 24, 2023
TODAY’S MATCH INFO
REF: Eric Tattersall
AR1: Jeremy Smith
AR2: Nicholas Seymour
4TH: Ernie Constantine
Weather: 63 degrees and rainy.
GOALS/ASSISTS
PHI – Jeremy Rafanello (FK) 20’
PHI – Hugo Le Guennec 45+1’
RBNY – Julian Hall (Mina) 73’
PHI – David Vazquez (Castillo) 90+2’
DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY
RBNY – Davi Alexandre (caution) 49’
RBNY – Rafael Mosquera (caution) 90+2’
LINEUP
Philadelphia Union II: Andrew Rick, Anton Sorenson, Olwethu Makhanya, Hugo Le Guennec, Francis Westfield, Kyle Tucker, Boubacar Diallo (A. Perez 85’), David Vazquez, Jeremy Rafanello (J. Castillo 79’), Chris Donovan (N. Pierre 64’), Stefan Stojanovic (D. Krueger 85’).
Substitutes not used: G. Wetzel, S. Olivas, N. Nkanji, J. Evans, E. Davis.
New York Red Bulls II: Alan Rutkowski, Omar Valencia, Matthew Nocita, Davi Alexandre, O'Vonte Mullings (A. Shapiro-Thompson 87’), Mohammed Sofo (J. Hall 68’), Peter Stroud, Ronald Donkor (B. Estrela 74’), Ibrahim Kasule (R. Mosquera 68’), Frank Ssebufu, Jorge Cabezas (J. Mina 68’).
Substitutes not used: A. Stokes, D. Sullivan, Dija, J. Reid.
TEAM NOTES
Midfielder Jeremy Rafanello scored his ninth MLS NEXT Pro goal of the season.
Defender Hugo Le Guennec scored his first goal of the MLS NEXT Pro season.
Midfielder David Vazquez scored his fifth goal of the MLS NEXT Pro season.
Defender Juan Castillo registered his fourth MLS NEXT Pro assist of the season.
