Philadelphia Union II was back at Subaru Park on Friday night, kicking off the weekend with a match against New York City FC II at home. The Boys in Blue resumed league play after a brief hiatus from MLS NEXT Pro contests to host an international friendly against Wrexham A.F.C.League. They came back with the same momentum they’ve carried all July, handily defeating NYCFC II 2-0.
It was a slow start to the match for both teams – neither side found the back of the net through nearly the entire first half. Just before halftime in the 43rd minute, CJ Olney sent a ball sailing from the box to the opposite post, finding the quick foot of Stefan Stojanovic, who then tapped it to Frankie Westfield for a dagger to end the half.
Westfield’s shot from the center of the box was the first goal of the night, putting Union II ahead 1-0 to enter the second half. The score marked Westfield’s first ever MLS NEXT Pro goal, spurring an celebratory team dogpile immediately after his shot. The 17-year-old midfielder is a Philadelphia Union Academy player in the midst of his second Union II season. Westfield has started 16 of his 17 games played in 2023, earning his first goal after 14 scoring attempts.
The Union Academy success didn’t end there – Jeremy Rafanello passed a beautiful ball across the box to fellow academy product 17-year-old midfielder David Vazquez, who powered it past New York’s keeper to extend the lead to 2-0. Vazquez’s goal marked his fourth score of the 2023 season.
With the victory, Union II preserved their seven game unbeaten streak through all contests and improved their MLS NEXT Pro win streak to three. Union II are now tied for fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings with 33 points.
The team will be back at Subaru Park again to take on FC Cincinnati 2 on August 13th, click here to purchase tickets.
