Philadelphia Union II overcame a first half deficit on Friday night to knock off Toronto FC II by a 2-1 margin and secure a Top 2 seed for the MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs
Center back Oscar Benitez completed the comeback for the Boys in Blue, smashing home a header from a CJ Olney corner kick in the 84th minute for his first goal with the club. After falling behind on a converted penalty kick by the Canadian side, Stas Korzeniowski regained momentum for Union II with a quick finish right before halftime to knot the game at 1-1. The goal continued the forward's impressive scoring streak with four goals in his last three matches. With both teams needing three points to strength their postseason resumes, Union II grabbed the three points to not only secure a match at Subaru Park but rewrote the history books with a new single season points record.
Philadelphiia Union II enters the final day of the 2025 MLS NEXT Pro season tied atop the Eastern Conference with rivals New York Red Bulls for the final matchday. Union II needs to gain more points than their rivals to secure the No. 1 spot and looks to do so as they welcome New York City FC II to Chester. Kick off from Subaru Park is set for 1PM with coverage on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
How The Match Unfolded
Lineup notes
Playing north of the border the day before a first team contest, Head Coach Ryan Richter was able to field a strong lineup against Toronto FC II with five MLS-signed players in the first XI. Goalkeeper George Marks remained between the sticks with Oscar Benitez going into the backline alongside Rafael Uzcategui at center back while Giovanny Sequera and Jordan Griffin played at outside back. The holding midfield pairing of CJ Olney and team captain Nick Pariano remained unchanged with Kellan LeBlanc returning to the Starting XI alongside Markus Anderson while Sal Olivas and Stas Korzeniowski led the front line.
3', Toronto tests defense early | With the hosts needing three points to remain in control of their playoff destiny, Toronto were on the attack from the opening whistle with George Marks making a save on Dékwon Barrow with the follow up being cleared off the line by CJ Olney.
14', Marks makes a big save | Toronto dominated possession in the first quarter hour of the match with a counter attacking chance seeing Michael Sullivan in on goal but denied by Marks via a reaction save off his line.
28', Toronto opens the scoring | Philly found themselves behind just before the half hour mark as the hosts were awarded a penalty kick after Nathaniel Edwards was taken down on a cross into the box. Forward Mark Fisher stepped up and converted the chance from the penalty spot to make it a 1-0 scoreline.
45+', Stats ties it up!| With halftime looming, the Boys in Blue bagged an equalizer as CJ Olney sent Stas Korzeniowski into the box against the TFC pressure. Full of confidence after scoring his first professional brace last match, the forward made it 1-1 on his seventh goal of the season.
54', LeBlanc has a go | Neither side made changes at the break and early in the second half changes were few to find as both teams played up to the moment the match presented. Union II earned the first scoring opportunity when Giovanny Sequera chased down a cross and cut a pass back to Kellan LeBlanc. The midfielder unleashed a curler from distance that forced a difficult save for the keeper.
62', Union II denied at the door step | Momentum continued to build for the road side with Union II nearly taking the lead as Sal Olivas chased down a headed across the end line but kept it in bounds. Near the corner flag, the homegrown sent a cross into the box that connected on a towering header from Korzeniowski but it was paried away at the last moment.
62', Union II make two changes | Head Coach Ryan Richter turned to his young professionals as 16-year-olds Willyam Ferreira and Malik Jakupovic entered with less than 30 minutes left in place of Markus Anderson and Sal Olivas.
77', Another Union II swap | Union Academy amateur Jamir Johnson was brought on to add to the Union II attack for the final 15 minutes as he replaced his U-18 teammate Kellan LeBlanc.
84', Benitez comes in clutch | Leading the league in corner kicks, Union II's game winner came from that exact play as Olney notched his second assist with a perfectly weighted volley into the path of a crashing header from Oscar Benitez.
