Philadelphia Union came up clutch on the road, winning a historic 12-round penalty kick shootout against Eastern Conference leaders Chattanooga FC.
Homegrown goalkeeper Andrew Rick once again came up large in net, making three saves and scoring in the 11th round to set up captain Nick Pariano's second goal of the extra frames for the winner. With the win, Union II continues its run as the last unbeaten team in MLS NEXT Pro.
Philadelphia Union II is back in action next week as they return to Subaru Park for a showdown with Columbus Crew 2 on Sunday, May 11, at 3PM. Tickets for the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro Eastern Conference Final can be purchased by clicking here.
Playing on the same day as the first team, Head Coach Ryan Richter's squad was still full of first team prospects with eight making the trip to Tennessee. Goalkeeper Andrew Rick was between the sticks with the backline remaining unchaged with Isaiah LeFlore, Neil Pierre, Rafael Uzcategui and Academy amateur Gavin Wetzel. The midfield saw one change with Kellan LeBlanc into the first XI as Cavan Sullivan dressed for the first team in Montreal. LeBlanc joined the solid foundation of David Vazquez, CJ Olney and Nick Pariano while the front two were led by Sal Olivas and Eddy Davis III, in his second start.
The matchup between the youngest side in MLS NEXT Pro against the oldest kicked off a hour later than expected due to incliment weather in the Chattanooga area. The first half saw the Tennessee side try to put their stamp on the game early with attacking runs to test the young backline. Chattannoga's Daniel Mangarov ripped a shot that forced a third minute save from Rick. The action picked up just past the quarter hour mark when Olney forced a save on the other end of the pitch but shortly the home team nearly found the back of the net with Mangarov firing a shot off the post.
The homeside continued to push for the opening goal with Markus Naglestad backing down Uzcategui before turning to rip a low shot that forced a reaction stop by Rick. The rebound stayed in the box but the play ended with Keegan Ancelin one-touch shot going well over the Union II net.
With a scoreless first half, both sides made changes at the break with Richter bringing on Academy prospect Henry Bernstein in place of CJ Olney. Chattanooga got closer and closer to breaking through with a free kick chance looking destined for goal after a floated cross connected with a barrage of bodies but LeFlore reacted calmed the clear it off the line while facing the net. Strong defense grew the confidence of the young Union II side with Olivas and Davis III getting more involved nearly the hour mark but seeing their attempts miss off the mark.
After neither side could break through in regulation, the match continued to a penalty kick shootout with Union II grabbing an early lead through two rounds. Both goalkeepers got momentum in the third and fourth rounds before Chattanooga forced it to sudden death with back to back goals in the late rounds. The two teams to trade goals until the ninth round when both sides were unable to convert. The shootout continued through the entire rosters with the goalkeepers called upon to attempt a shot in the 11th round.
