Philadelphia Union II used a strong first half performance to claim all three points on the road at FC Cincinnati 2, picking up a 4-1 win on Wednesday night.
Forwards Eddy Davis III and Markus Anderson scored 12 minutes apart to push Union II to lead the way for Union II with Davis finding the back of the net in the 13th minute of play off Jordan Griffin's first MLS NEXT Pro assist. The Boys in Blue turned defense into offensive for the eventual match winner with Anderson forcing a turnover just outside the Cincinnati box before following his saved shot for a second-time finish.
FC Cincinnati 2 battled back with a goal early in the second half but Philly responded with substitute Giovanny Sequera scoring his second goal of the season with five minutes to extend the lead back to two goals with little time to play. 15-year-old Malik Jakopovic made the most of his professional debut too, not only seeing the field for the first team in league play but finding the back of the net for a debut he'll never forget.
With the result, Union II are back into the Top 4 of the MLS NEXT Pro Eastern Conference standings with 18 points through nine league matches and just one defeat.
Union II returns to Subaru Park for another Eastern Conference clash front of their home fans next week when they place Crown Legacy FC. The postseason rematch between the two foes on Sunday, June 15th with kick off set for 7PM ET.
With five regulars away on international duty, Head Coach Ryan Ritcher had to deploy a unique lineup with Isaiah LeFlore starting at right back while Academy prospect Jordan Griffin earned his second career start on the left side. Goalkeeper Mike Sheridan earned his first start with the center back pairing of Rafael Uzcategui and Gavin Wetzel in front of the Union II shot stopper. The midfield saw captain Nick Pariano return paired up with Henry Bernstein, Markus Anderson and Kellan LeBlanc. The front line saw another start for Eddy Davis III while forward Leandro Soria made his first.
13’, Eddy opens the scoring | Looking to take control early on the road, Union II accomplished its mission with Jordan Griffin threading a pass to the feet of Davis III. The 2024 leading scorer turned on the jets to find space inside the box and deposit the shot inside the far post for the opener. The moment not only gave the Boys in Blue the lead but notched the 16-year-old Griffin his first MLS NEXT Pro assist.
25’, Counter press doubles the lead | After an offsides flag ended an Union II attack, the Boys in Blue quickly turned to their defensive philosophy of counter pressing to make it a 2-0 match before the half hour mark. With the Ohio side playing out of the back, Philly’s shape forced a difficult pass centrally that Markus Anderson snuffed out. The ball bounced to Soria who quickly pass it back to Anderson on as he ran into the box and ripped a shot that was popped into the air by the keeper. The Union forward continued his run and made sure it crossed the line with a cheeky header into the back of the net.
35’, Soria denied by the post | Philly sought another goal to extend their first half lead but forward Leandro Soria's effort crashed off the post from inside the box.
51’, Cincinnati makes it 2-1 | The hosts made two changes at the break to injected some fight into the homeside and it paid dividends in the 51st minute as Carson Locker finished off a quick build up with a far post finish to trim to lead to 2-1.
65’, LeBlanc nearly makes it 3-1 | The youthful Union II side almost re-established its two-goal lead right after the hour mark with Kellan LeBlanc unleashing a rocket that was turned aside by FC Cincinnati 2 keeper Paul Walters. The shot from the Union II midfielder came on the end of a remarkable cross from Soria, as the forward beat his man and kept the ball in place on the left flank.
72’, Jakupovic makes his professional debut | After becoming the 10th Union Academy player to sign with Union II in club history on Thursday, 15-year-old Malik Jakupovic make his Union II debut entering in place of Soria for the final 18 minutes.
85’, Sequera secures the victory | The final 10 minutes saw end to end action with both teams looking for the game's fourth goal. The goal came with five minutes left as Anderson chased down a ball on the right flank and whipped in a cross that substitute Giovanny Sequera placed firmly inside the bottom corner for the 3-1 lead.
90+’, Jakupovic makes it a debut to remember | With the match in its waning moments, Union II were presented with one final counter attacking effort with Anderson once again leading the charge on the right side. After trying to pick up the 15-year-old debutant on his previous drive into the box, the duo connected with seconds for Malik Jakupovic to score in his professional debut.
