Photo courtesy Philadelphia Union II Communications

Two events heavily influenced the outcome of the game that ended in a rout of Atlanta 2 by the Union II Thursday evening in chilly Chester, Pennsylvania.

Union II scored its second goal in stoppage time of the first half. A Neil Pierre header assisted from CJ Olney became what was effectively Pierre’s last and match-winning act of the game when he was subbed off at halftime.

Then in the 56th minute Atlanta United 2 left back Dominik Chong-Qui earned his second yellow card, and Atlanta played the last 35-odd minutes a man down, surrendering three more goals before a shoulder charge in the 86th minute inside the area was judged worth a consolation penalty kick by referee Luis Arroyo.

Stas Korzeniowski had opened both Union II’s game account and his own professional account with a looping header in the 22nd minute assisted from David Vazquez. After Pierre’s game winner, Korzeniowski’s tally was followed by CJ Olney from Eddy Davis in the 73rd, a Nick Pariano Penalty Kick in the 75th (after Kellan LeBlanc had drawn the foul in the box), and a LeBlanc goal a minute later from Jamir Johnson who had just subbed on for Olney.

Atlanta United 2 Captain Javier Armas scored the visitors’ consolation penalty.

In advance

The match was played at home two days before Philadelphia’s first team played away to New York City FC, also two days before the initial Union Academy matches of the 2025 Generation Adidas Cup. We assumed that Frank Westfield was no longer an Off Roster Homegrown player because he has used all six of his possible short-term agreement call-ups. We also assumed Daniel Gazdag was no longer a first team player, reducing that team’s flank midfielder depth chart considerably if Cavan Sullivan goes to the GA Cup even though none of these details are official.

As is consistent with HIPA, we know no further details of Ian Glavinovich’s recently announced meniscus surgery other than that it has been repeatedly described as “successful.” Neil Pierre is currently third center back on the first team.

Union II’s opponent, Atlanta United 2, also played two days before its first team, so it would probably have had a similar restriction on ad hoc first team reinforcements. In the past, Atlanta 2’s flow of players between the first and second team rosters has not been as free and fluid as Philadelphia’s. Atlanta 2’s coach remains Steve Cooke, the overall organization’s team president remains Garth Lagerway, and its sporting director remains Chris Henderson, so we anticipated the organization’s player development strategy remains as it has been.

First half

For the first time this season Ryan Richter’s side dominated an entire half with Bradley Carnell’s pressing philosophy. Clearly the team’s game conditioning has advanced. Philadelphia goalkeeper Oliver Semmle had some decisions to make on breakaway attempts, and he was more decisive this time than last, doing particularly well in the 27th minute far beyond his penalty area.

Nick Pariano reprised his defensive midfield role from last season with David Vazquez filling the empty bucket between Cavan Sullivan and CJ Olney during spells of possession. When Philly possessed the ball — which felt like most of the half — their actual shape seemed to be a 4-1-3-2, and Pariano anticipated Atlanta’s attempts to attack excellently whenever their defense gained possession in their own defensive third.

The other clear Philadelphia tactical pattern in the first half was full reliance on right center back Neil Pierre for any distribution from the center backs. Repeatedly fellow CB Rafael Uzcategui gave him the ball to make the passes forward.

Atlanta’s only real threats came from the pace of left flank midfielder Moises Tablante and striker Cayman Togashi. The combination of Pierre and Uzcategui neutralized Togashi, and Gavin Wetzel at right back adapted well to Tablante after his first pair of sprints upfield.

It was a competitive half until Piere’s stoppage time thumper.

Second half

Union II head coach Ryan Richter made two substitutions at halftime, bringing on Markus Anderson for Sullivan and Ramzi Qawasmy for Pierre. Anderson pushed forward, seeming to play almost as a third outright striker. Qawasmy played with the baby five stripes last year and had the advantage of familiarity with some of its personnel.

Richter went to his bench a second time in the 65th to bring on Eddy Davis for Sal Olivas, a like for like striker swap. He followed in the 73rd with Kellen LeBlanc and Jamir Johnson for Korzeniowski and Olney.

Thereafter the combination of Davis and Anderson dominated the Union’s attack, especially since they had a man advantage. Their mutual pace and quickness complemented one other to produce chances. For the game Union II totaled 27 shots, 17 of which were on target. We do not know what proportions of the totals were produced by last year’s end-of-season dynamic attacking duo.

Atlanta head coach Cooke made his first subs in the 63rd minute, bringing on Cooper Sanchez for Will Reilly at defensive mid and former Union Academy player Gabriel Wesseh for Rodrigo Neri at flank mid. He subbed again in the the 75th after Pariano’s PK with Patrick Weah replacing Togashi at striker, and Braden Dunham for Tablante at the second flank mid. The fresh legs stretched Philly’s reserve midfield, and Pierre’s absence probably contributed to Atlanta’s consolation prize.

As Pierre had dominated center back distribution in the first half, so Uzcategui dominated that characteristic in the second. He was not quite as clear sighted and precise as the taller man, but he had some nice line-breaking passes and a through ball or two. Qawasmy clearly deferred to him.

Gavin Wetzel showed very well defensively at right back for the entire match, no surprise to anyone who saw Union II play the final dozen or so of its stretch run to and through the playoffs in 2024.

Cavan Sullivan 

We do not know whether the earlier than usual substitution reflects the immanent start of the U18s GA Cup run this Saturday. It might. In any case, Thursday night the youngster played effectively and well. He is consistently a creative threat on offense in MLS NEXT Pro, and he works hard on defense. We suspect his lack of defensive bite to be less a reflection of his underlying temperament and more of an instruction to preserve his availability to the attack. Every once in a while he really whacks his mark when defending.

Next Match

Union II’s next match is away to New York City FC II at St. John’s University stadium on Long Island. The match is Wednesday, April 23^rd at 7:30 PM.

Three points + two

1. Stas Korzeniowski continues to display the positive contributions we have mentioned in earlier posts. We worry that the increasing pace, quickness and agility of play inevitable as the season develops may present challenges. He has started all four Union II matches. He needs what Earnie Stewart used to call “engine building.”
2. Uzcategui and Pierre provide real security as a center back tandem.
3. Pariano and Vazquez do the same as a double pivot.
4. Ryan Richter is clearly teaching his boys that winning competitions in practice is the primary route to game minutes. Past achievements cut no ice.
5. PSP’s Alex Hayden talked with Richter postgame. Here is the transcript.

Alex: With Rafael Uzcategui’s second match at that left center back position, how do you rate his performance so far?

Coach: Excellent. Excellent. In the style we want to play, there’s so many situations where the center backs are in 1-v-1 situations, and to be able to stay aggressive in those situations and continue to defend forward, you have to be really confident and brave to do that. And he does a great job of it. So, the way he’s fitting into the team has been a great addition.

B O X S C O R E

Lineups

Union II (4-2-2-2, L-R) Roster sources: 1^st – 10; U II – 8; A – 2.

Starters: Oliver Semmle; Isaiah LeFlore, Rafael Uzcategui, Neil Pierre (Ramzi Qawasmy HT), Gavin Wetzel; David Vazquez, Nick Pariano (C); CJ Olney (Jamir Johnson 73′), Cavan Sullivan (Markus Anderson HT); Stas Korzeniowski (Kellen LeBlanc 73′), Sal Olivas (Eddy Davis III 61′). Starter’s Average Age = 20.2

Unused substitutes: Mike Sheridan; Oscar Benitez, Gio Sequera, Leandro Soria.

Atlanta 2 (4-2-3-1, L-R)

Starters: Jayden Hibbert; Dominik Chong-Qui, Ronan Wynne, Sal Mazzaferro, Nyk Sessock; Will Reilly, Javier Armas; Moises Tablante, Rodrigo Neri, Ryan Carmichael; Cayman Togashi.

Unused substitutes: Dillon Griner; Adyn Torres, Patrick Weah, Toto Majub, Cooper Sanchez, Braden Dunham, Gabriel Weser.

Goals

Union II         22nd minute         Stas Korzeniowski (David Vazquez)

Union II         45+1 minute        Neil Pierre (CJ Olney)

Union II         73rd minute         CJ Olney (Eddy Davis)

Union II         75th minute         Nick Pariano (Penalty Kick)

Union II         76th minute         Kellen LeBlanc (Jamir Johnson)

Atlanta 2        86th minute         Javier Armas (Penalty Kick)

Yellow Cards

Atlanta 2        32nd minute        Dominik Chong-Qui (foul)

Atlanta 2        56th minute        Dominik Chong-Qui (foul, second caution, disqualification)

Union II         65th minute         Markus Anderson (delay)

Union II        82nd minute        Kellen LeBlanc (tactical foul)

Stats

Whistle & Flags

REF: Luis Diego Arroyo, AR¹: Andrew Charron, AR²: Bryan Conetta, 4^TH: Nick Karnovsky.