Eastern Conference leading Philadelphia Union II looks to avenge its only loss of 2024 as they play host to FC Cincinnati 2 for a Thursday night battle at Subaru Park with the action on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV!
Marlon LeBlanc's side extended its home unbeaten streak to eight matches dating back to last season with a 3-1 victory over Columbus Crew 2 on Sunday evening. It was the Sal Olivas and CJ Olney show as they combined for all three goals to lead the Boys in Blue to their fourth consecutive win. Olivas netted his first professaional brace with goals in the 16th and 36th minute with Olney collecting the assist on both. The midfielder then added to his own scoring tallies with a crisp spin on a Crew 2 defender and goalkeeper shortly after the visitors trimmed the lead to a lone goal.
Union II currently sits atop the league's latest Power Rankings led by a pair of 17-year-old breakout peformaers in Olney who has a league-high six assists and Eddy Davis III with the Union Academy player ranked in the Top 10 with five goals scored. LeBlanc's side will be tested however on Thursday with regular starters David Vazquez and Olney both in Argentina after earning call-ups with the United States Under-19 National Team. Roster change over has been the norm however for the second team in 2024 with different starting lineups in every match thus far. Last time out the youngest team in the league went even younger with 14-year-old homegrown Cavan Sullivan earning his first start as a professional and three 15-year-olds taking to the pitch in the second half against Crew 2. While the offesnse might feature some changes, the backline should remain unchanged with only 11 goals allowed which ranks second best in all of MLS NEXT Pro.
FC Cincinnati 2 is the only team in 2024 to have claimed all three points against Union II, with the Ohio side claiming a 3-1 victory in front of their home fans in late April. Gerardo Valenzuela enjoyed quite the match, scoring a hat trick in the match with goals in the 21', 49' and 88' to seal the result. FC Cincinnati 2 currently sits fourth in the Eastern Conference table and has had quite the time to prepare for the second showdown against Union II with their last match coming on Sunday, May 26th. Former Union Academy player Nykolas Sessock scored in stoppage time to lead Inter Miami CF II to a 1-0 win which snapped Cincinnati's own five-game winning streak. Another former Academy player is one to watch for the Ohio side with forward Stefan Chirila playing a key role for the side as he earned MLS NEXT Pro Rising Star of the Month honors for May with four goals and one assist.
