Philadelphia Union II is headed back to the MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs for the fourth straight season!
Union II officially clinched its spot into the postseason on Sunday evening courtesy of their X-X victory on the road at FC Cincinnati 2.
With the spot secured, Philly is just the second team to make the postseason in all four years of MLS NEXT Pro history with St. Louis CITY SC 2 having already secured their Western Conference spot. The Boys in Blue have done it all season showcasing the club's Player Pathway philosophy with the youngest average age in the entire league.
Despite a preceived lack of experience and pressure after making it all the way to the MLS NEXT Pro Final a year ago, the youthful Union have made diamonds under pressure time and time again. Under the direction of first-year Head Coach Ryan Richter, Union II have had 30 different players appear in a league match this season and have had to countless unique starting lineups.
That didn't stop the club as they opened the season without a loss for the first three months of the year. After that first loss they fought back with vengeance, going on another long-unbeaten streak that nearly reached double digits. Acting as the proving ground for the Union organization, 13 MLS signed players have suited up for Union II and made impacts. With so many changes, the Union philosophy and style of play continues to be successful as the Boys in Blue have the best defense in MLS NEXT Pro and sport a conference best +23 goal differential.
The highly touted Union Academy has fueled another youth movement with three promising prospects turning pro in 2025 and have delivered. 16-year-old Malik Jakupovic took the league by storm by scoring in the first five games of his professional career and now leads the squad with seven goals thus far. Kellan LeBlanc is a constant starter with three goals and three assists in his first full season as a starer for the team while Willyam Ferreira has continued to develop with 10 appearances and his first professional assist.
