Photo: Marjorie Elzey

The Union II met Loudon United on Wednesday for the second time in just four days, this time coming out on top with a decisive 4-0 win.  For this match, Loudon made the trip up I-95 to play at Subaru Park following Saturday’s 1-1 draw down in Leesburg, VA. 

The four goals scored by Philadelphia’s USL side is in stark contrast to the eight goals they scored in total over the first ten games; and they earned just their second clean sheet.  

While only holding 37% of the possession it was never in doubt who was in control of the game.  The Union II came out with an energy that Loudon United was unable to match.  Loudon repeatedly turned the ball over on their own side of midfield as  the young Union II team sent numbers up the field attacking the net.  When Loudon was able to push the ball upfield they were met with a compact and well organized defense.

Fans didn’t have to wait long for the scoring to start. In just the 6th minute, Jamoi Topey sent the ball over the top and down the left sideline.  Axel Picazo ran the ball down in the corner, cut back towards  the middle and crossed the ball which was cleared away from goal by the head of a  Loudon United defender – but right to Brandan Craig standing on the edge of the 18 yard box. Craig hit the volley and bounced the ball past Loudon goalkeeper Simon Lefebvre for the 1-0 lead.

Loudon United’s strategy consisted primarily in working the ball down the right side of the field with long diagonals or over the top to forward Kairou Amoustapha, Loudon’s leading scorer on the pitch. Even with Amoustapha’s speed and athleticism he was no match for defender Jamoi Topey and the rest of the Union II defense who quickly quashed any chances.

Goal number two came just fifteen minutes later.  Wingback Anton Sorenson fed a ball to Paxton Aaronson at midfield.  Aaronson resisted passing the ball forward to Picazo, who was offside, and instead patiently waited for Sorenson to complete his long run from the back. He fed a perfect through ball that Sorenson took to the left edge of the 6 yard box and fired a shot off the hands of the goalkeeper and into the net.  Union 2-0.

The first half scoring wasn’t done yet.  In the 32nd minute Brandan Craig stole the ball from the Loudon midfielder, passed to Jake McGlynn who left the ball off for Bohui who gave a short cross and Kinge knocked it in.  A great combination play gives the Union II a 3-0 lead which they took into halftime.

As the second half began, Loudon United came out with an uptick in pace and tempo.  Halftime substitution  Brandon Williamson gave some life and creativity to the midfield which resulted in a few somewhat promising chances.  But Loudon was unable to break down the Union II’s solid defense and the game reverted to the first half’s Union II domination as they pounced on the ball and countered like a pod of orcas attacking a boat. 

The Union II might have had their first fourth goal of the night when David Rabadan fired a laser from 30 yards out that hit the crossbar and bounced straight down.  The referees said “No Goal” and without VAR the call stands.  Subsequent viewings reveal it was most likely the correct call but a great effort nonetheless.

The actual fourth goal came in minute 83.  McGlynn made a beautiful back heel to Caden Stafford as he made his unmarked run to the goal.  Stafford stroked the ball into the far corner past the diving goalkeeper.

This dominating win for the Union II gives them just their second win of the season but takes them out of the Group F cellar.  Four goals and a clean sheet should give them momentum for their next match against Hartford Athletic on Sunday afternoon.

Three Points:

• Energy: The Union II had it, Loudon United did not.  The Union II were a step ahead of Loudoun all night long,  winning balls, getting back on defense, making smart runs and so on.  Loudon wasn’t the strongest competition they will meet but The Union II will be tough to beat if they can play like this consistently.

• Spread the Wealth: Four goals, by four different players, each goal the players first of their professional careers.

• Professionalism: As the team’s elder statesman (so to speak), Matt Freese made it look easy as he was consistently in a perfect position to make the saves, give smart distributions and organize the defense.  A well earned clean sheet.

 Line ups:

Philadelphia Union II: 

Matt Freese; Nathan Harriel, Dante Huckaby, Jamoi Topey, Anthony Sorenson, Jack McGlynn ( Danny Flores 87’), Steve Kingue, Brandan Craig (Selmir Miscic 87’), Axel Picazo (Jack Jasinski 67’), Paxten Aaronson (David Rabadán 58’), Patrick Bohui (Caden Stafford 59’)

Substitutes not used: Ben Martino, Sean Bettenhausen

Loudoun United FC: 

Simon Lefebvre, Allexon Saravia, Shane Wiedt, Timmy Mehl, Tyler Gabarra (Erumuse Momoh 84’), Ally Ng’anzi (Brandon Williamson 45’), Joshua Fawole (Peabo Doue 64’), Christian Sorto (Gabi Gómez 64’) , Nelson Martinez, Kairou Amoustapha, Alioune Ndour (Massimo Ferrin 45’)

Substitutes not used: Colin Miller, Diego Gomez

Scoring Summary;

PHI – Brandan Craig (unassisted) 6’

PHI – Anthony Sorenson (Aaronson) 20’

PHI – Steve Kingue (Bohui) 32’

PHI – Caden Stafford (McGlynn) 83’

Misconduct Summary:

LDN – Alioune Ndour (caution) 29’

LDN – Kairou Amoustapha (caution) 40’

PHI – Dante Huckaby (caution) 71’

PHI – Caden Stafford (caution) 87’

PHI – Anthony Sorenson (caution) 90+3’

LDN – Allexon Saravia (caution) 90+3’