Stas Korzeniowski netted his first professional brace to lead Philadelphia Union II to a resounding 5-2 victory over Chicago Fire II on Sunday afternoon.
The University of Pennsylvania alum scored in both halves as the Boys in Blue sent a message to the rest of the league in a showdown between two of the Eastern Conference's best. Korzeniowski opened the scoring on a counter attack in the 15th minute and did so again in the 66th to bookend a total team performance from Union II as they continue their push for a high seed for the MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs. Sal Olivas added to the first half scoring, putting home a counter attack off a Cavan Sullivan assist. The Union homegrown then converted from the penalty spot at the hour mark to add to his Sunday stat line while Malik Jakupovic came off the bench and scored his team-leading eighth goal of 2025.
Union II heads north of the border for its final regular season road contest as they take on Toronto FC II on Friday, September 26th. Kick off from York Lions Stadium is set for 7PM with coverage on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
How The Match Unfolded
Lineup notes
Sunday's big Eastern Conference clash saw Head Coach Ryan Richter select seven first team players to his Starting XI. Goalkeeper George Marks made his second start with Union II behind a full strength backline that featured Neil Pierre, Rafael Uzcategui, Giovanny Sequera and Jordan Griffin. The 4-2-2-2 lineup saw team captain Nick Pariano and CJ Olney in front of the defense while Markus Anderson and Cavan Sullivan occupied the attacking midfielder positions to set up forwards Sal Olivas and Stas Korzeniowski.
15', Stas puts Union II up | The Boys in Blue delivered the opening message early on with a quick attack producing the game's first goal. Goalkeeper George Marks recognized the opportunity for the squad, delivering long throw to the midfield stripe where Sal Olivas headed it down. Union II's counter pressure saw them regain possession courtesy of Sequera who cut up the Fire defense before threading the needle to send Stas Korzeniowski in on goal. The Penn graduated was clinical to earn his fifth goal of the season.
22', Olivas doubles the lead | Counting attacking soccer was the preferred route once again for Philly with a pair of homegrowns combining for a 2-0 lead. Again it started with the distribution of Marks as his goal kick connected on a tap back from Korzeniowski. Cavan Sullivan quickly took the half pass and sent it forward in sync with a forward run from Sal Olivas. With just the keeper to beat, Olivas was perfect with his touch to double the lead for the Boys in Blue.
43', Philly keeps up the pressure | The high powered Fire found themselves down a pair of goals but weren't afraid and continued to build in the attack to test the best defense in the league but were held in check in the opening half. Meanwhile Philly nearly added a third as CJ Olney sent in a well weighted corner kick that connected with a smashing header from Neil Pierre but Fire goalkeeper Owen Pratt pushed it away.
59', Marks keeps it 2-0 | Chicago made two changes at the break including sending in 2024 MLS NEXT Pro MVP David Poreba into the match.
61', Penalty for Union II | Philly put the game away just after the hour mark as Sequera was taken down in the penalty area on a challenge from Justin Reynolds. Cavan Sullivan confidently stepped up and buried the attempt in the right side to make it a 3-0 lead for the hosts.
62', Union II subistitutions | With the match in head, Head Coach Ryan Richter made wholesale changes with four swaps at the same moment. Eddy Davis III, Kellan LeBlanc, Oscar Benitez and Kaidan Moore took to the pitch in place of Olivas, Anderson, Sequera and Griffin.
66', Stas bags a brace | The Boys in Blue continued to add to their scoreline with Nick Pariano finding Korzeniowski for the forward's first professional brace.
69', Pariano preserves the shutout | With the lead at four, Chicago continue to ramp up its attack and nearly got on the board with just over 20 minutes left as Jason Shokalook looked destined for a goal but saw his effort cleared off the line by captain Pariano.
75', Union II substitution | The Boys in Blue made another swap with 15 minutes in the contest with leading scorer Malik Jakupovic replacing the multi-goal scoring Korzeniowski.
83', Jakupovic makes it five | Eight minutes after entering the game, Jakupovic put an exclamation point on the match with his team-high eighth goal of the season set up by Kellan LeBlanc.
89', Chicago gets one back | Jhoiner Montiel earned a penalty kick for the away side but goalkeeper George Marks didn't relinquish the clean sheet easily as he made a diving save on the attempt from Jason Shokalook. The rebound however fell right in to the follow through for the Fire II leading man who tapped it back in.
90+', Shokalook completes the scoring | With the match decided Shokalook broke through for another finish to net his 17th goal of the season and stand atop all of MLS NEXT Pro with only a few games left in the season.
