Photo: PSP archives

In a match that recalled some of Union II’s early season losses last year, Philadelphia Union II lost to Inter Miami CF II 2-1 Sunday afternoon at Subaru Park when the visitors scored late in second half stoppage time.

In the twelfth minute, the first time that Miami was able to penetrate deep into Union II’s defensive third, a shot taken from wide and deep on the left deflected through the box off goalkeeper Andrew Rick to the late-arriving, unmarked Lucas Meek at the far post who tapped home easily for the score.

Miami’s lead held up for 75 minutes until Nelson Pierre side-footed home a ball from eight yards left of center off a feed from Luciano Sanchez, who in turn had received a helper from Jeremy Rafanello.  Union II then went for the win as has been their philosophy since they were Bethlehem. They had Miami on the emotional ropes.

But in the fourth minute of  stoppage time after defenders Frank Westfield and Gino Portella had just been subbed off fully spent, Miami earned a free kick from the bottom of the center circle. It was served to Israel Boatwright in the right channel.  Juan Castillo failed to clear against the MLSNP veteran, and Boatwright’s header directed on the ground towards the net, found the foot of defender Farid Sar-Sar to deflect past Rick into the left-side netting as the match winner.

At least twice early last season, Union II fought back valiantly only to surrender a winner at the death. One of those was against Miami II in Ft. Lauderdale and the villain that time was Shanyder Borgelin formerly of the Union Academy and Union II itself.

In advance

In Miami’s 3-1 loss to Chicago Fire II in Ft. Lauderdale last weekend, two former Union academy players sat Miami II’s bench: goalkeeper CJ Dos Santos, and outside back Nyk Sessock. Both started. Miami has brought back several players from last season, and added four new MLS Next Pro professionals. Retired MLS legend Frederico Higuain is now their coach.

With the international break over, Union II received additional reinforcements from the first team. First was young Brandan Craig, the number four center back and in need of experience at the position he has been playing for only three seasons. He was joined by attacking midfielder Jeremy Rafanello and defensive midfielder Richard Odada. All three played the full 90 minutes.

First half

Philadelphia Union II dominated the first 20 minutes in spite of the score. The first-teamers and the second teamers meshed together playing the narrow diamond counter press well. Miami got into their own attacking third only three times in the first twenty five minutes. But it was only the second game, and conditioning levels could not sustain the dominating work rate.

By the end of the half the game was back-and-forth, end-to-end. Union II relied on combination play, long service behind Miami’s high line and thrusts up the flanks. Miami depended more on individual technical skill.

Second half

Early season conditioning influenced both sides more and more as time elapsed. Fatigue made the sides more evenly matched than they were at the outset.

Improvements over last season were displayed by several individuals. Both Nelson Pierre and Jose Riasco sustained their defensive efforts more consistently and each played the full 90. Pierre never switched off mentally and showed greater willingness to try to dribble past opponents.

The combination of Odada and Villero at the double six has real potential. They read each other well, shifting the one who was more offensively aggressive and one more focused on defense as circumstances dictated. Were they to play together consistently for some weeks they might learn to dominate games, but only time with tell whether that will happen. When both were fresh, Villero was more the attacker while Odada was focused on Edison Azcona, Miami II’s attacking center mid who played behind their lone striker.

The most intriguing personnel revelation was Juan Castillo at left back. He has better size than Anton Sorenson, comparable if not better pace, and more individual trickery with the ball. He bears no responsibility for the first goal, although the same cannot be said for the second. But if the starts and the positives continue, Castillo will be a factor in the overall left back situation.

Next match

In a recently announced schedule change, Union II will play next Monday, April 10 away to New England Revolution II at Gillette Stadium at 1:00 p.m. Apple Plus still lists the match.

Three points

1. Castillo and Hugo Le Guennec have apparently received all necessary international paper work, since both were dressed for the match.
2. David Vazquez, last week’s Union II starter at one of the attacking mids, scored the goal for the Union U17s at the GA Cup Saturday that defeated Houston 1-0.
3. In the 91st minute Gino Portella put a long shot off the goal frame’s left upper 90.

Box score

Union Lineup – 4-2-2-2 (L-R) Starters: Andrew Rick; Juan Castillo, Gino Portella (Anthony Ramirez 90+4′), Brandan Craig, Frank Westfield (Noe Uwimana 90+4′); Maike Villero (Luciano Sanchez 78′), Richard Odada; Jeremy Rafanello, Stefan Stojanovic (Anton Sorenson 69′); Jose Riasco, Nelson Pierre. Unused substitutes: Brooks Thompson; Nathan Nkanji, Hugo Le Guennec, Pedro Alvarez, Boubacar Diallo. Away at the GA Cup: CJ Olney, David Vazquez, Alex Perez.  1^st – 5; U II – 10; U17s – 5.

Starters Ages:

Miami Lineup – 4-2-3-1 (L-R). Starters: CJ dos Santos; Nyk Sessock, Tyler Hall, Farid Sar-Sar, Israel Boatwright; David Ruiz (Abel Caputo 80′), Joseph Convers; Lucas Meek (Addimandi Italo 90+2′), Edison Azcona (Lawson Sunderland 73′), Dairon Reyes; Lorenzo D’Agostini. Unused substitutes: Cole Jensen;Pedro Faife, Gabriel Velez.

Goals

Mia II     12th min       Lucas Meek

U II         87th min       Nelson Pierre (Luciano Sanchez, Jeremy Rafanello)

M II        90+4 min      Farid Sar-Sar (Israel Boatwright)

Cards

U II       34th min       Juan Castillo       (foul)

M II      43rd min       David Ruiz          (foul)

U II       51st min       Gino Portella.     (foul)

M II      73rd min     Joseph Convers   (foul)

U II      90+4 min     Jeremy Rafanello (foul)

Stats

Whistle

Ref: Joshua Encarnacion,  AR¹: William Aten,  AR²: Andrew Charron,  4^TH: Justin Saporito.