A blazing first half saw Philadelphia Union II continue their unbeaten form as they defeated Crown Legacy FC by a 4-0 margin on Saturday evening.
Homegrown Eddy Davis III found the back of the net in the second minute, capping off a run that was set up by defender Isaiah LeFlore for the flying start for the road team. It was a case of deja vu for Crown Legacy as they had another own goal hit the back of the net just like in their previous showdown with the Philly squad, this time right before the halftime whistle. After Crown Legacy saw a player sent off with a second yellow card, Union II kept up the intensity with captain Nick Pariano notching his third goal of the season while 16-year-old forward Malik Jakupovic kept his scoring streak alive with a goal in his fourth-straight appearance.
With the three points, Union II is unbeaten in their last eight matches and ends the evening tied for the Eastern Conference lead with rivals New York Red Bulls II but with two games in hand.
Union II wraps up their July schedule next weekend with another road trip, this time north to take on New York City FC II. Kick off from Icahn Stadium is set for 4PM ET on Saturday, July 26th, with coverage on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
How The Match Unfolded
Playing on the same day as the first team for just the second time in 2025, Head Coach Ryan Richter was able to produce quite the starting XI with six players on MLS contracts in the lineup. Goalkeeper Pierce Holbrook returned between the sticks behind his usual backline of Isaiah LeFlore, Neil Pierre, Rafael Uzcátegui and Giovanny Sequera. Oscar Benitez earned his first start with Union II in the contest, 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. The front line was led by homegrowns Eddy Davis III and Sal Olivas with attacking options such as Stas Korzeniowski, Jamir Johnson, Leandro Soria and Malik Jakupovic all available as substitutes.
2', Eddy opens the scoring! | After waiting until the 75th minute to open the scoring against Crown Legacy last time out, the Boys in Blue were on the scoreboard 100 seconds beyond the opening whistle. After a strong tackle from Benitez, Philly went direct with LeFlore threading the needle with a pass that sprung Eddy Davis III. With just the keeper to beat, the homegrown slide it inside the far post for the 1-0 lead.
19', Union II combine for another scoring chance | A few minutes after Sal Olivas drew a yellow card on Erik Peña Boardman, the Boys in Blue were quickly pushing for a second goal with a resounding build up that saw almost every player of Union II with a touch before Markus Anderson's sliding attempt was denied by the keeper.
45+', Persistance pays off | With a hydration break forcing three minutes of added time to the opening half, Union II took advantage of every second to see their lead extend to two right before the break. After Nick Pariano's attempt was blocked inside the six, Union II went short on a corner kick with Pariano playing it to Giovanny Sequera. With the 18-yard-box filled with players, the Venezualian whipped in a cross that crashed off of Assane Ouedraogo and into the back of the net.
46', Union II go up a man | There was another big moment early in the half as Union II drew a second yellow card on Nimfasha Berchimas only 50 seconds into the second frame which game Union II a man advantage for the final 45 minutes.
58', Triple Change for the Boys in Blue | Leading by a pair of goals, Head Coach Ryan Richter turned to fresh legs with a triple swap as Jordan Griffin, Stas Korzeniowski and Malik Jakupovic took to the pitch in place of LeFlore Anderson and. Olivas.
65', Pariano makes it three | Sporting an all new trimmed look on the pitch, Captain Nick Pariano continued to add to the scoreline for the Boys in Blue with a long-range finish that snuck through the defense to make it 3-0 just past the hour mark. With the goal, Pariano became the seventh different player from Union II to have scored at least three goals this season.
89', Jakupovic keeps on scoring | Forward Malik Jakupovic continued the amazing start to his professional career finding the back of the net for the fourth-straight match that he's appeared in. The 16-year-old forward took a pass from Sequera at the upper edge of the 18 and then dribbled to his left before delivring a shot that crashed off the far post and into the back of the net.
