Photo: Marjorie Elzey

Philadelphia Union II traveled to Connecticut on Wednesday to take on Hartford Athletic in hopes of avenging their 3-0 loss at home on Sunday. They would settle for a 1-1 draw.

Hartford Athletic made a total of five changes to their starting lineup from Sunday. Marlon LeBlanc made two changes to his side, with Caden Stafford making the starting lineup for the first time in his USLC career and David Rabadan joining the starters after coming off the bench on Sunday. Defender Issa Raayan returned from injury and was included on the match-day roster for the first time since July 25.

Philadelphia Union II started the match on a forward foot, winning three corners in the first seven minutes. But the Hartford defense picked up where they left off on Sunday, keeping shape and clearing well.

Having coming into this match already having qualified for the USLC playoffs, there was a noticeable calmness to the Hartford side to start the match; connecting passes and switching the field of play smoothly. The Union II defense did well though to maintain shape and get bodies behind the ball.

A good chance came for the Union II attack in the 31st minute when Sorensen carried the ball forward down the left into the attacking third, provided the pass to Paxten Aaronson in the box, who quickly ripped a low shot, but Mandanda did well to get to ground and make the save.

An exciting moment came in the 4oth minute when Union II midfielder David Rabadan lined up a beautiful shot from roughly 35 yards out which slammed off the crossbar and out of play for a goal kick.

In stoppage time, Hartford finally took advantage on their seventh corner kick of the half when captain Danny Barrera delivered an in swinging ball into the box. Sam Strong elevated to get his head to the cross and sent the ball into the back of the net.

The teams would go into the locker rooms with Hartford leading 1-0.

The teams took the field for the second half, with LeBlanc making no changes to his side while Hartford head coach Radhi Jaidi brought on three substitutes.

Hartford had a decent look at a second goal off a set piece in the 55th minute when Gabriel Torres whipped in a dangerous ball into a box that somehow went untouched and went out for a goal kick.

The 58th minute saw Anthony Sorenson dribble down the left side into the box. His cross took a deflection off the Hartford defender and was headed for the top corner, but Mandanda was alert and positioned himself to make the save.

After a few substitutions by both Hartford and Philadelphia in the 64th minute, Hartford had a decent look when a ball played into the box from the left corner found Alfonso Vasquez. He did well to get a flick on the ball, but it went across the face of the goal and out for a goal kick.

Union II persevered in this match and found the equalizer in the 76th minute when Sorenson drove the ball on the the ground from the left corner across the box which found the foot of Union homegrown signee Jack McGlynn who fired a low shot into the bottom corner of the net to make it 1-1.

In the 86th minute, Patrick Bohui received a lovely entry pass into the box from Sorenson, took a quick touch and blasted the ball on net, but it was close enough to Mandanda to get to ground and make the save.

Hartford appeared to take the lead in the 88th minute off a corner, when Connor McGlynn connected with the cross and scored.  But the referee would issue a yellow card to Hartford defender Sam Strong for interfering with goalkeeper Matt Freese away from the ball, and the goal was waved off.

This would prove to be the last real threat for either side and the match would end 1-1.

Up next for Union II is an away match on Saturday against New York Red Bulls II.

Three Points

We got a first timer! – Congrats to Caden Stafford for making his first USLC start.

Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop: Dante Huckaby has played every minute of every game for Union II this season, the only player on the team to have done so.

Stellar Sorenson: Anthony Sorenson was the stand out player for Union II in this match.  He gave Hartford trouble all night on the left side of the field, consistently pushing up into attack and sending crosses into the box, including his assist on Jack McGlynn’s goal.

Lineups

Philadelphia

Matt Freese, Anthony Sorenson, Brandon Craig, Dante Huckaby, Nathan Harriel, David Rabadan (Daniel Flores 67′), Steve Kingue (Patrick Bohui 68′), Jack McGlynn, Paxten Aaronson, Axel Piczo (Selmir Miscic, 64′), Caden Stafford (Issa Rayyan, 74′)

Unused Subs: Mitch Budler, Jamoi Topey, Jack Jasinski

Hartford

Parfait Mandanda, Alex Lara, Kevin Politz, Sam Strong, Arthur Rogers, Gabriel Torres (Tyreke Johnson, 64′), Mads Jorgensen (Conor McGlynn, 77′), Justin Haak (Idan Cohen, 45′), Danny Barrera(c) (Aiden Mesias, 45′), Alfonso Vazquez, Alex Dixon (Markus Naglestad, 45′)

Unused Subs: IAndre Deas, Mike Novotny

Scoring Summary

HAT – Sam Strong 45 +2′

PHI – Jack McGlynn 76′

Misconduct Summary

HAT –  Idan Cohen 56′

HAT – Mads Jorgensen 68′

HAT – Sam Strong 88′

PHI – Paxten Aaronson 90′