Philadelphia Union II will host FC Cincinnati 2 in the first round of the 2025 MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs on Sunday, October 19 at Subaru Park. The Eastern Conference Quarterfinal match kicks off at 4:00 p.m. ET on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. Tickets to Union II’s postseason opener can be purchased clicking here.
After securing the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, Union II selected FC Cincinnati 2 as their opponent under MLS NEXT Pro’s Pick-Your-Opponent playoff format. The league’s unique structure allows the highest-seeded teams to choose their opponents ahead of each round through the conference finals.
Union II are one of two clubs to qualify for the postseason in all four years of MLS NEXT Pro history, following a record-setting regular season. This season, Union II tied their club record for wins (15), which ranked second-most in the league, while setting new club marks for goals scored (64), goals allowed (34), and goal differential (+30), the highest in MLS NEXT Pro this season.
Philly and Cincinnati met three times during the 2025 regular season with the Boys in Blue taking wins in every matchup. The series kicked off with a 4-1 road result on June 3rd with Eddy Davis III opening the scoring in the 13th minute which was followed by Markus Anderson in the 25th. After the hosts cut the deficit in half early in the second frame, the Boys in Blue pulled away with late goals from Giovanny Sequera and Malik Jakupovic with the youngster's goal coming in his professional debut.
Two months later the two teams squared off at Subaru Park with a Kellan LeBlanc free kick from distance proving to be the difference in the match as youthful Union II held the Ohio side to four shots on goal. A few weeks later the two sides met again to conclude the season series which resulted in the sweep. The first half proved fruitful again for Union II as Cavan Sullivan served up a pair of assists to Eddy Davis III and Neil Pierre to secure the club's fourth-straight trip to the postseason.
FC Cincinnati 2 enter the postseason as the No. 7 seed in the the East after accumulating 41 points. They earned their spot on Decision Day as the final matchday of the regular season saw five teams in the East fighting for the last spots. Cincinnati grabbed the playoff position with a 4-1 road win at Orlando City B to finish the season with four-straight victories. After struggling to find a consistent offense for much of the season, things clicked for Tyrone Marshall's side as they scored multiple goals in each win and have found the back of the net at least once in each of their past seven games.
Following the Conference Quarterfinals, the Playoffs will continue the weekend of October 24. The Pick-Your-Opponent format will return for the Conference Semifinals, with the highest remaining seed in each conference selecting and hosting an opponent from the two lowest seeded teams. The two remaining Clubs will face each other, with the higher of the two seeds hosting. The Conference Finals (weekend of October 31) and MLS NEXT Pro Cup (weekend of November 7) will follow a traditional bracket style.
