Academy midfielder Matheus De Paula delivered an equalizer to help Philadelphia Union II pick up a road point at rivals New York City FC II on Saturday night.
The Boys in Blue saw the match finish at 1-1 after a lengthy rivalry contest that saw Union II finish with just nine players when the game headed to a penalty kick shootout after the game finish 1-1. In the takes from the spot, the hosts prevailed, 8-7, to claim the game’s extra point at Belson Stadium.
The match started slow – with multiple shot attempts and free kicks, neither squad landed a goal in the back of the net. New York City’s Cooper Flax went for back-to-back goal attempts in the 38th minute, but goalkeeper Pierce Holdbrook saved saved both from succeeding. After a competitive first half between these North Eastern rivals, the score remained 0-0.
The second half began with a Union free kick from Stas Korzeniowski, missing outside the left goal post. In attempts to block a strike from Adonis Campos, Isaiah Mendoza bounced an own goal passed Union’s keeper in the 51st minute, putting NYCFC in a 1-0 lead.
The youthful side battled back however with de Paula scoring his second MLS NEXT Pro goal of the year with a headed finish set up by Jordan Griffin.
The rivalry and tensions began to show late added time with Union II’s Óscar Benítez and Giovanny Sequera were shown their second yellow of the match just minutes apart to see Union II finish with just nine players on the pitch.
In the post regulation shootout, the two teams would go the distance after all 10 takers converted in the first five rounds. The game would be decided in the eighth round with the Pigeons prevailing by a 8-7 margin.
Philadelphia Union II will return to Subaru Park on Sunday, August 9th to take on FC Cincinnati 2 at 12:00 p.m. ET on OneFootball.
