Stas Korzeniowski scored for the third-straight postseason game but Philadelphia Union II saw its season end via 2-1 scoreline at rivals New York Red Bulls II.
Saturday's result concludes an historic season for Union II which saw first-year Head Coach Ryan Richter tied for the most points in the East with 58 but were the No. 2 seed via a tiebreaker. Union II are one of only two clubs to qualify for the postseason in all four years of MLS NEXT Pro history, following a record-setting regular season. The team tied its club record for wins (15), ranking second-most in the league, while setting new marks for goals scored (64), goals allowed (34), and goal differential (+30)—the highest in MLS NEXT Pro this season. Eighteen different players scored for Union II in 2025, led by forwards Malik Jakupovic and Stas Korzeniowski with eight goals each while homegrown defender Neil Pierre earned the league's first-ever Defender of the Year Award.
How The Match Unfolded
Lineup notes
Head Coach Ryan Richter made three changes to the lineup for the Eastern Conference Final with the first coming between the sticks with first team goalkeeper George Marks back in goal like he was for the playoff opener against FC Cincinnati 2. The backline saw Kaiden Moore in at left back for his first start with the Boys in Blue alongside Neil Pierre, Rafael Uzcategui and Giovanny Sequera. The midfield saw the final swap with Noah Probst paired alongside Oscar Benitez as holding mids while CJ Olney and Markus Anderson slotted as the No. 10s. Stas Korzeniowski and Eddy Davis III led the top of the 4-4-2 formation.
8', Off the bar | Philly earned the first scoring opportunity of the evening from a corner. Clinical with set pieces for much of the season, the Boys in Blue nearly added another as CJ Olney's cross connected with a towering header from Neil Pierre but the homegrown's chance went off the bar.
10', Big Saves | Cool weather had both offenses looking for a spark with Noah Probst seeing a low shot from inside the box saved by the keeper. On the other end, Red Bulls II launched a 1v1 but Uzcategui forced the forward into an extra touch which allowed Marks to get into prime position to make a finger tip save.
38', Stas puts Union II up! | Korzeniowski made it three-straight postseason matches with a goal as he finished off a darting run from Eddy Davis III to break the scoreline open. .
57', Union II nearly double the lead | Philly came of the locker room hungry for a second goal and nearly found it as a long ball played Davis III in behind the Red Bull defense. With the keeper rushing off his line, the homegrown tried to slip it under the keeper but saw the shot go wide.
60', Moore into the book | With the home side turning up the pressure on the flanks, Union II's Kaiden Moore was shown the game's first yellow card after taking down Rafael Mosquera.
63', Union II sub | Shortly after picking up the yellow card, Head Coach Ryan Richter made his first sub of the evening, sending in Sal Olivas in place of Moore. With the change, it was homegrown CJ Olney adjusting to a new position as he went to left back.
65', Marks with the big stop | One of the most potent offenses in the league continue to put the back line under pressure but George Marks was tight to his marks to deny a sneaking shot from Andy Rojas.
71', Red Bulls equalize | The pressure paid off for the hosts as they broke through with an equalizer with less than 20 minutes remaining via a goal from Roald Mitchell.
74', Union II sub | Needing a goal to reclaim the lead, Union II turned to one of the best scorers on the team as Malik Jakupovic entered in place of Davis III.
79', Union scoring chance | Looking to alieviate the pressure, Philly commited numbers into a set piece chance 30 yards from goal that nearly regained the lead for the Boys in Blue. Olney again served in another strong ball with Sal Olivas flicking it to the far side but crashed off the post. The ball went right into Pierre for the second opportunity but was out of play.
81', Offside keeps it 1-1 | Just after the Boys in Blue had nearly found the back of the net, New York Red Bulls II deposited one but the assistant referee quickly raised his flag to deny the goal from the hosts.
83', Red Bulls take the lead | The home side grabbed the lead on their next possesion with Adri Mehmeti sending the goalscoring Mitchell in behind the defense. With just the keeper the beat, the forward unleashed a rocket that bent around Marks and a 2-1 score line.
