Philadelphia Union II earned two points on the road Sunday afternoon, defeating Red Bull New York II in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw, behind a standout performance from goalkeeper George Marks.
In a match defined by limited chances, Union II found a second-half breakthrough through Academy amateur Lennon Harrington off a cross from Jordan Griffin following a pair of substitutions. After Red Bull New York II responded in stoppage time to level the match, Marks took over in the shootout, making three saves before converting the decisive penalty to secure the extra point for the Boys in Blue.
In net, Marks delivered a complete performance, coming up with key saves in regulation before his heroics from the penalty spot sealed the result.
While Philadelphia Union II don’t return to league play until April 12, several players will remain active during the international break. Malik Jakupovic and Willyam Ferreira will join the U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team in Paraguay, while Kellan LeBlanc heads to Portugal to compete in the 2026 Torneio Internacional de Lisboa with the U.S. Under-18 squad. Union II resume their MLS NEXT Pro schedule at Subaru Park on Sunday, April 12, hosting Carolina Core FC. Kick off from Subaru Park is set for 3PM ET with tickets on sale here.
How The Match Unfolded
Lineup notes
Head Coach Ryan Richter started a different lineup for the fourth straight match to open the season, with Sunday's group seeing the first MLS NEXT Pro starts for Mamoutou Berthé and Academy amateur Matheus De Paula. Goalkeeper George Marks remained in net for the Boys in Blue with the backline remaining unchanged from last week's game against CT United FC which featured Giovanny Sequara, Oliver Pratt, Finn Sundstrom and team captain Rafael Uzcategui. With a pair of debutants as holding midfielders, the attacking roles were unchanged once again with Kellan LeBlanc and Willyam Ferreira tasked with creating the attack at No. 10s. The duo sought to combine with the front line of Malik Jakupovic and first team homegrown Sal Olivas.
1', Defensive stand | Off the opening kick, Red Bull New York II looked to jumpstart their attack through veteran Roald Mitchell. A long ball over the top put him in on goal, but Finn Sundstrom tracked back to block the attempt before a shot could be taken.
17', Yellow Card | The afternoon’s first caution went to the home side, with Benjamin Rodriguez taking down Malik Jakupovic in the attacking third.
25', Yellow Card | Union II were shown their first yellow card of the afternoon eight minutes later, with Finn Sundstrom going into the referee’s book.
29', Another yellow card for Union II | A second member of the Union II backline was shown a yellow before the half-hour mark, with Giovanny Sequera booked for his tackle on Dennis Nelich.
29', Off the crossbar | The ensuing free kick nearly produced the opening goal, as Nate Worth’s effort struck the upper 90.
31', Red Bull New York II caution | Union II were denied a counterattack opportunity as Nehuén Benedetti committed a tactical foul at the center stripe to stop the break.
39', Big save by Marks | Before the break, goalkeeper George Marks kept the match scoreless with a reaction save using his left glove to deny Aimar Sánchez.
57', Union II substitutions | With Red Bull New York II generating chances early in the second half, Head Coach Ryan Richter made a pair of changes just before the hour mark, bringing on Jordan Griffin and Academy amateur Lennon Harrington for Berthe and Sequera.
63', Union II goal | The changes proved decisive. Still searching for their first shot of the match, Kellan LeBlanc played a quick pass to Griffin on the overlap. The outside back delivered a cross into the box, where Harrington headed home the game’s opening goal.
67', Union II substitutions | After taking the lead, the Boys in Blue made another pair of substitutions, sending on Academy amateurs Nehan Hasan and John Ruf in place of Malik Jakupovic and Willyam Ferreira.
74', Another big save by Marks | Red Bull New York II nearly found an equalizer with under 15 minutes to play, but Marks came up big again, making a diving save on Nate Worth’s left-footed one-timer.
76', Union II nearly double the lead | With Red Bull New York II pushing numbers forward in search of an equalizer, Union II nearly struck on the counterattack. Streaking up the right side, Ruf won possession and whipped in a cross to the penalty spot for Kellan LeBlanc, but his redirection effort sailed over the net.
83', Final Union II substitution | With less than 10 minutes remaining, Union II made their final change, as Academy amateur Timo Mendoza replaced LeBlanc in midfield.
90+', Red Bull New York II equalize | After four minutes of stoppage time were added, Red Bull New York II pushed forward in search of a late goal. Union II defended until the final moments, but the hosts found an equalizer through Paul Sokoloff to make it 1-1.
SO, Penalty shootout | In the opening five rounds, both goalkeepers played a key role, with Union II’s George Marks making saves in the first two rounds while Red Bull New York II’s Aidan Stokes responded with stops in rounds four and five to force sudden death. After both sides converted in the sixth round, Marks delivered in the seventh, making his third save of the shootout on Aimar Modelo. The Union II goalkeeper then stepped up and converted the decisive penalty to secure the extra point for the Boys in Blue.
