Photo courtesy of PSP/ Kevin Barrett

A depleted Philadelphia Union II side beat Crown Legacy FC 3-0 in a very physical match at Subaru Park on Father’s Day. An own goal, two assists from Eddy Davis, and goals from Stas Korzienowski and David Vazquez sealed the victory for the home side. 

In advance

Given the rotations needed at the first team level with Gold Cup commitments taking precedent for a handful of players, Union II regulars Markus Anderson and Cavan Sullivan were able to see minutes the night prior against Charlotte FC in the Union’s 2-1 victory. Anderson scored the match winner, his second goal in two appearances with the senior team this year. Both players were given the night off for Union II. Amateur players at the academy level are in Tennessee, representing the Union at the MLS Next Cup.

Gavin Wetzel wore the armband to begin the match. Coach Ryan Richter confirmed in his postgame media availability that this was Wetzel’s last outing as a Union II player before moving on to play for the University of Pittsburgh in the fall. Richter also mentioned that it was captain Nick Pariano’s idea to give the armband to the academy graduate for the night. We anticipate that the rest of YSC Academy’s 2025 graduating class that is not already on a professional contract will also be moving on from Union II. 

Pierce Holbrook, a recent Navy graduate, made his MLS Next Pro debut and first official start for Union II. He is the fourth different goalkeeper to start for Union II this season. 

First half

Sal Olivas had the first chance of the night for Union II in the 5th minute, where his one-touch shot forced a difficult save from Crown Legacy’s Nicholas Holliday. Crown Legacy held the bulk of the possession, but could not get their shots on target. 

Neil Pierre, in his first start for Union II since his knee injury at Huntsville in March, was a dominant presence on the back line. His awareness, physicality, and ball-playing ability allowed him to control the Union’s defensive area. 

David Vazquez took two physical challenges, the first requiring attention to his head and the second to his knee. He spent the majority of the half trying to dictate play through the midfield with technical dribbles and quick passes, but found more often than not that it did not work against the speed of Crown Legacy’s midfield. He and Nick Pariano were both on the receiving end of some physicality by their opponents, who grew frustrated at not being able to play around them. 

Aside from a few missed chances by each side, the first half was largely uneventful.

Second half

Things started to click better in possession for the home side after the break. The right side group of Nick Pariano, Gavin Wetzel, and Leandro Soria combined for plenty of give-and-goes down the flank. 

An early whistle by referee Benjamin Meyer saw a Nick Pariano goal from outside the 18 on a short corner called off for a weak foul in the box. Union II favored short corner routines throughout the match after seeing that Crown Legacy was not adjusting to defend them, leaving them with a 3-2 man advantage every time. 

Play became increasingly physical as the half went on, with three yellow cards in four minutes. Crown Legacy’s left back, Daniel Moore, was nearly issued a second yellow just a minute after his first for two consecutive fouls on Giovanny Sequera. 

On the ensuing free kick, CJ Olney’s ball was claimed by the keeper, who came off his line to collect it. Crown Legacy center back Assane Ouedraogo could not get himself out of his goalkeeper’s way and ended up knocking the ball out of his hands and into the back of the net. 

The floodgates opened after that error, and Stas Korzienowski scored the second right after the restart with the help of a through ball by Eddy Davis. Korzienowski’s size helped him past his man with ease, and he drew the keeper off his line for the finish. 

A Pierce Holbrook goal kick bounced around midfield and eventually was collected by Eddy Davis, who played another well-timed through ball to David Vazquez. Vazquez solidified the victory after being found wide open at the back post. He had all the time in the world to get the shot off and bag his first of the year. 

Next match

Philadelphia Union II plays again at Columbus Crew II on June 21st. 

 Three Points

•  Neil Pierre was a wall at center back and showed no signs of rust despite his time away from the team with his injury. He played a portion of the friendly against Atlas, but this match was his first full 90 minutes since returning to the field. In our conversation with Coach Richter after the match, Richter expressed that he was content with his performance, but is encouraging the young center back to “add the focus for 90 minutes and being fully connected to the game in every play”.
• Pierce Holbrook impressed with a clean sheet for his first start with Union II. He appeared confident and vocal in the net, despite not being challenged very often. One of his goal kicks set up the play for Union II’s third goal. 
• Nick Pariano and David Vazquez have formed quite the formidable defensive midfield pairing. Pariano’s defensive experience and awareness allow Vazquez to creep forward in possession and involve himself more there without leaving a wide-open gap in the midfield. Both young men proved themselves to be a handful for Crown Legacy. 

Lineups

Union II (4-2-2-2, L-R) Head coach Ryan Richter. 1st – 7; UII – 3+1; A – 1.

Pierce Holbrook; Isaiah LeFlore, Rafael Uzcategui, Neil Pierre, Gavin Wetzel, CJ Olney (Oscar Benitez– 77’), Nick Pariano, Leandro Soria (Giovanny Sequera– 60’), David Vazquez, Eddy Davis, Sal Olivas (Stas Korzienowski– 69’)

Unused subs: Mike Sheridan 

Crown Legacy (4-3-3) Head Coach Gary Dicker

Nicholas Holliday; Jack Neeley, Assane Ouedraogo, Wyatt Holt, Daniel Moore (Mikah Thomas- 77’), Rocket Ritarita (Ferna Ferreira– 66’), Erik Peña, Baye Coulibaly, Emmanuel Uchegbu (Brian Romero– 77’), Thiago (Andrej Subotic– 66’), Dylan Sing

Unused Subs: Issac Walker, Yves Tcheuyap, Jamie Smith, Leo Bartolovic, Magic Smalls

Scoring Summary:

UII: Ouedrago– 75’ (OG)

UII: Korzienowski– 77’

UII: Davis– 86’ 

Discipline Summary:

UII: Soria– 30’ (Caution)

CLT: Uchegbu– 42’ (Caution)

UII: Uzcategui– 66’ (Caution)

CLT: Neeley– 70’ (Caution)

UII: Leflore– 72’ (Caution)

CLT: Moore– 73’ (Caution)

UII: Korzienowski– 82’ (Caution)

Stats

Whistle and flags: 

Ref: Benjamin Meyer, AR1: Douglas Clayton, AR2: Bryan Conetta, 4th: Laszlo Sandler.