Philadelphia Union II saw its unbeaten run conclude on Wednesday night, falling by a 3-2 margin on the road at Carolina Core FC.
The match in High Point, North Carolina saw five goals and three penalty kicks as the two teams traded momentum back and forth wth the homeside getting the final goal early in the second half to see out the result. Markus Anderson opened the scoring for the Boys in Blue for the second straight match, finishing off a cross from Kellan LeBlanc. Carolina battled back with back-to-back goals within three minutes to take a 2-1 lead but Union II leveled it before the break on a Sal Olivas penalty kick finish. In the 51st minute, Carolina's Glory Nzingo converted his second PK of the evening to give the hosts a 3-2 lead that stood until the final whistle.
The loss ends Union II's nine-game unbeaten streak that dated back to early June and snaps their perfect record on the road.
Union II continues its busy stretch of games with a return to Subaru Park to open August. The Boys in Blue battle FC Cincinnati 2 on Sunday, August 3rd, with kick off set for 6PM ET. Tickets for the contest can be purchased online by clicking here.
How The Match Unfolded
Playing in the middle of the week, Philadelphia Union II had quite a lineup to roll out against the Carolina side that was on average four and half years older by player. After a breakout start to his professional career, forward Malik Jakupovic was awarded his first MLS NEXT Pro start on Wednesday night, paired up alongside Sal Olivas fresh off an appearance with the first team and played a role in the club's insurance goal against the Colorado Rapids. Goalkeeper Andrew Rick returned between the sticks behind a backline that was comprised of Academy amateur Jordan Griffin, Neil Pierre Rafael Uzcátegui and Giovanny Sequera. The midfield remained unchanged for the third straight match with Oscar Benitez paired up alongside team captain Nick Pariano as the defensive midfielders while Markus Anderson and Kellan LeBlanc handled the attacking duties in the 4-2-2-2 formation.
11', Anderson adds another to his scoresheet | After it took a hour last time out for the Boys in Blue to break open their scoring accounts, Wednesday night required just 11 minutes as Kellan LeBlanc unlocked the defense with a perfectly placed curling cross into the box. Markus Anderson timed his run perfectly and then sliced the Carolina Core FC defense to pieces for the 1-0 lead.
22', Carolina ties up from the PK spot | The lead wouldn't last for long however as they hosts returned on the attack with a floated ball into the box leading to a collision between Uzcátegui and Jacob Evans. The referee pointed to the spot for the contact which presented Glory Nzingo a penalty kick attempt that he converted.
25', Carolina takes a 2-1 | Momentum with the homeside grew for the older side and they quickly capitolized on it by taking the lead swiftly three minutes after knotting the game up. Facundo Canete turned in a cross that Josuha Rodriguez finished off right in front of goal.
32', Union II search for an equalizer | The youthful Union II battled back with two big scoring chances near the half hour mark that just missed. Sal Olivas raced into space on the left flank and cut it back to Anderson for a blast at the top of the box but the turf caught the forward's boot on the strike. Giovanny Sequera put in a remarkable run of his own a few moments later getting back to his feet after being taken down only to see his shot ring off the post.
37', Penalty to Union II | The back and forth game was back in Philly's favor with the goalscoring Anderson earning a penalty kick after tangling with Daniel Chica. Homegrown forward Sal Olivas stepped to the spot and was clinical as he sent the keeper the wrong way.
51', Another point to the spot | Wednesday's match saw a third point to the spot early on in the second half as Nzingo went down in the box pursing a crossed ball. Just like in the first half, he went to his right, sneaking it just under Rick's left glove to give Carolina Core FC a 3-2 lead.
65', Union II subs | Just after the hour mark, Head Coach Ryan Richter made his first changes of the match with Eddy Davis III and Jamir Johnson entering for Jakupovic and Benitez.
70', Sal's shot stopped | With 20 minutes left in the contest, Union II continued to push for another tying goal with Olivas taking a rip from outside the box that was blocked by Kai Thomas.
77', More Union II subs | Needing a goal, Union II made two more offensively minded changes with Leandro Soria and Stas Korzeniowski entering for the final push.
83', Pierre denied at the line | Philly's best attempt to find the equalizer came with just seven minutes left as Soria served in a pin perfect corner kick that connected on a towering head from Neil Pierre. The center back's attempt was haulted however with a finger tip stop by goalkeeper Alex Sutton.
