Photo @PhilaUnionII

Union II moved into first place in the MLS Next Northeast Division, the Eastern Conference, and MLS NEXT Pro overall with a convincing 3-1 victory over the New England Revolution II at Mark A. Quellette Stadium in Hookset, NH Sunday afternoon.

The Union were led by Chris Donovan who scored a brace for the second time in three Union II appearances.

The match

The Union II played excellent defense, not allowing an official shot on goal until the 63rd minute.

The Union started out strong offensively with several excellent chances including some by CJ Olney and Chris Donovan, whose shot went off the post. The Union’s pressure finally paid off after halftime with Chris Donovan scoring in the 47th minute with the assist going to Edward Davis III. CJ Olney had a chance to put the Union up 2-0 but his shot was saved by New England goalkeeper JD Gunn.

New England would capitalize off a deflection that Marcos Dias put into the back of the net. This was the first shot of the game for New England, coming in the 63rd minute. Union keeper Andrew Rick had no chance on the shot

In the 73rd minute the duo of Olney and Donovan came close with a Donovan header, and ultimately the duo could not be denied in the 76th minute when Donovan directed a header into the net. The score would remain 2-1 until the 81st minute when Olwethu Makhanya scored his first ever goal for Union II on a header from a corner kick with the assist going to server Kyle Tucker.

Next game

The Union are off until Sunday, May 26 when they travel up the turnpike to take on Red Bulls II in north Jersey.

3 Points

1. Chris Donovan was dominant and could have scored a couple more goals.
2. Union Defense clamped down the Rev’s offense.
3. 1st place with a game in hand is not a bad situation to be in.

Scoring Summary

Union II Chris Donovan 47 (Davis)
Revs IIMarcos Dias 63
Union II Chris Donovan 76 (Onley)
Union II Olwethu Makhanya 81 (Tucker)

Discipline Summary

Rev 2: Malcolm Fry Yellow 23
Rev 2: Alex Monis Yellow 56
Union 2: Chris Donovan 77
Union 2: Carlos Rojas 79

Referees
Ref. Marie Durr
AR1, Christian Little
AR2, Bryan Conetta
4th, Jonathan Luk

Lineups
REV II: Gunn, AL-Hasnawi (Diarbian 59), Berry, Klein, Mcintosh (Lopera 87), Leal, Maciel, Borvic (Bolma 59), Fry (Parvc 45), Dias, Monis.

Union II: Rick, Westfield, Makhanya, Pierre, Berdecio, Ngabo (Rojas 66), Pariano (Sequera 8), Tucker (Perez 82), Onley, Davis (Soria 66), Donovan (Wetzel 83).