Philadephia Union II saw its brief unbeaten run conclude in Canada, falling by a 1-0 margin to Toronto FC II on Friday evening.
Facing off for the second time in 2026, the sides allowed very limited chances to find the back of the net. Ultimately it was decided by an own goal in the first half with a cross into the box hitting the trailing leg of a Union II defender and trickling into the back of the net.
Philadelphia Union II continues their April road trip next weekend with a rematch against CT United FC. The two sides will face off in a Sunday showdown with kick off for the April 26th set for 3PM with coverage on OneFootball and MLSNEXTPro.com.
How The Match Unfolded
Lineup notes
Playing 24 hours before the first team's clash against D.C. United, Head Coach Ryan Richter fielded his youngest starting XI of the season with an average age of just 18.9 on the road in Canada. Goalkeeper Pierce Holbrook notched his first start of 2026 completing a lengthy journey back from a knee injury. The backline remained stable in front of him with the center back duo of Finn Sundstrom and team captain Rafael Uzcategui while Jordan Griffin and Giovanny Sequera provided width. The midfield remained unchanged as well with Union Academy amateurs Tyler Gladstone and Matheus De Paula joined by Mamoutou Berthé and Kellan LeBlanc. The front line saw the drop in age for the lineup with Academy amateurs Nehan Hesan and John Ruf rewarded with their first MLS NEXT Pro starts.
12', Union II chance | The Boys in Blue produced the first scoring chance under the lights with Sequera running down a threaded ball on the right side to set up a scoring chance. Whipping in a right footed cross into the box, a half clearance provided LeBlanc a shooting chance with a right-footed effort going over the bar.
35', Toronto goes ahead | The game's opening goal was produced by a mis-hit clearance by Union II as a cross into the box crashed off the leg of Uzcatgui and into the back of the Philly net.
54', Union II substitution | Head Coach Ryan Richter' first changes of the night came in the midfield with Willyam Ferreira and Oscar Benitez entering in place of Gladstone and Berthe.
63', Another Union II change | Just past the hour mark the Boys in Blue saw the MLS NEXT Pro return of homegrown Eddy Davis III as he entered for John Ruf with less than 30 minutes remaining.
75', Dangerous free kick | Hasan continued to be a handfull for the young Reds with the Academy amateur getting fouled just outside the box. With Ferreira and LeBlanc both standing over it, LeBlanc would take the left-footed shot which forced a last-second stop by the keeper.
77', Final Union II change | The attempt on goal proved to the final touch for the Union II midfielder as LeBlanc was subbed out in place of Theo Reed for the remaining dozen minutes.
80', Holbrook keeps it 1-0 | As Philly sought to level the game, Tornoto's Elias Khodri nearly put the game away but was left frustrated by Union II's keeper. Khodri found himself 1v1 against the Holbrook with 10 minutes remaining but the shotstopper stood his ground, making the low save to his left.
