Philadelphia Union II used a dominant first-half attacking performance to earn a 4-1 victory over Carolina Core FC at Subaru Park on Sunday afternoon.
After a tightly contested opening stretch, Carolina Core FC struck first with an early goal, but Union II responded in emphatic fashion to seize control of the match. Philadelphia answered with four consecutive goals, beginning with a highlight-reel finish from Malik Jakupovic in the 20th minute to spark the comeback.
Stas Korzeniowski followed with a quick-fire brace, scoring twice in a five-minute span to turn momentum fully in favor of the hosts and give Union II a two-goal cushion heading into halftime.
Philadelphia continued to dictate play after the break, creating multiple chances before captain Rafael Uzcátegui capped the scoring just past the hour mark with a headed finish off a corner kick. From there, Union II managed the match effectively, limiting Carolina Core’s opportunities and closing out a 4-1 victory at Subaru Park.
Philadelphia Union II will have little time to savor the victory, hitting the road for a Friday night matchup against Toronto FC II. Kickoff from Canada is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday, April 17th, with coverage on MLSNEXTPro.com and OneFootball.
How The Match Unfolded
Lineup notes
Head coach Ryan Richter’s lineup featured four first-team players, with homegrown goalkeeper Andrew Rick making his first MLS NEXT Pro appearance of 2026.
The backline featured Jordan Griffin, Finn Sundstrom, Rafael Uzcátegui, and Giovanny Sequera. In midfield, Academy amateurs Tyler Gladstone and Matheus De Paula joined Mamoutou Berthé and Kellan LeBlanc.
Up top, Richter reunited last season’s prolific duo turned first-team signings, Stas Korzeniowski and Malik Jakupovic.
6', Big Defensive Stop | Carolina Core FC applied early pressure, but Rafael Uzcátegui stepped in to block a dangerous cross, with a follow-up effort sailing off target.
16', Chance for Gladstone | High pressure from Union II nearly paid off as Matheus De Paula set up Tyler Gladstone, whose one-time effort was deflected out for a corner.
17', Union II corner | Gladstone found Jakupovic at the far post, but his one-time shot was blocked at the goal line.
20', Malik's golazo makes it 1-0 | Momentum continued to build for Philly and finally turned into a goal in the 20th minute on a golazo from Jakupovic. After a thundering tackle by Uzcategui regained possesion for Philly near their own box, the center back picked out Kellan LeBlanc near the center stripe. The playmaker went to work, running into the open space on the left side before hitting a perfectly weighted cross to the opposite side where Jakupovic was wide open. With a defender running on, Jakupovic turned on the skill moves to find an inch of space before blasting it into the net.
25', Korzeniowski makes it 2-0 | The Boys in Blue quickly doubled their lead with a powerful solo effort from Stas Korzeniowski putting the hosts in front by a pair of goals.
29', Union II push for a third | Union II weren't happy with the two goal advantage as they sought to continue their momentum with their in-form strikers. Getting the ball to the feet of Jakupovic, the forward cut it to his right and ripped a low shot that forced a diving stop by the keeper.
30', Stas makes it 3-0! | After the chance from Jakupovic, it was Korzeniowski up next to attempt to get a brace and accomplished it with a fortunate redirection after a powerful run. Taking possession on the defensive side of the center stripe, Korzeniowski regained possession and battled a pair of defenders on the left flank before cutting inside. As he approached the 18, he unloaded with a right-footed go that crashed off a defender, trickled to the opposition goalpost and in for the five-minute brace.
53', Off the post | Union II didn't sit back on their heels with such a lead on the scoreboard with the Boys in Blue continuing to execute their gameplan. Kellan LeBlanc almost made it four in the 53rd minute as he ran full power into a blast from the edge of the 18 that crashed off the post and stayed out.
62', LeBlanc blast | Nine minutes later it was LeBlanc again making a late run to generate a scoring opportunity but again his left-footed blast was denied by the keeper and the diving save set up a corner kick.
63', Uzcategui makes it four! | On the following play the Boys in Blue cashed in as Tyler Gladstone whipped in a corner kick that connected on a towering header from captain Rafael Uzcategui to make it 4-0. The assist was a special one for the Academy amateur as it marked his first assist in MLS NEXT Pro action.
77', Carolina Core goal | Arnaud Tattevin crashed the Union II perfection in the 77th minute, finding the back of the net with a quick shot that snuck around Rick.
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