Photo courtesy of Kevin Barrett/ PSP

In the final match of its July homestead, Union II came back from 3-1 down to defeat Chattanooga FC on penalty kicks. Cavan Sullivan’s first career brace, Nick Pariano’s penalty shootout heroics, and another goal for Malik Jakupovic highlighted the comeback.

In advance

After a 5-0 performance against Toronto FC II, Ryan Richter’s side sought to extend its unbeaten streak against one of the oldest and most physical opponents in the Eastern Conference. The average age of Union II’s starters was 19, compared to Chattanooga’s 25.

Union II forward Stas Korzienowski was absent from the gameday roster but present in the stands. Off-roster homegrown Sal Olivas was given the night off after his participation in the first team’s 2-0 victory over the New York Red Bulls the night prior. 

Andrew Rick made his first Union II appearance since May 3rd. While still the second-choice keeper for the first team, it has been made clear that he will feature sporadically for Union II to remain sharp. 

First half

Mere seconds after the opening whistle, Gio Sequera took a knock to the head but was deemed fit to continue. The visitors’ age and physicality were immediately apparent. 

The home side’s first chance came in the 16th minute, when Kellan LeBlanc’s shot from outside the six-yard box sailed just over the crossbar. Two minutes later, Nick Pariano regained possession in the attacking half and found Cavan Sullivan to open the scoring. The goal makes the young Sullivan the leading goalscorer for Union II this season with four goals. Five other players are tied with three goals each.

Following a collision between David Vazquez and a Chattanooga midfielder, head official Atahan Yaya directed the players to the benches for a cooling break in the 30th minute. Vazquez underwent a brief concussion protocol before returning to the field after the restart. The midfielder continued to be at the receiving end of physical challenges from the opponent, drawing a yellow card for Chattanooga’s Tate Robertson in the 36th minute. 

Chattanooga’s captain, Farod Sar-Sar, earned himself a yellow in the 42nd for a sliding challenge on Markus Anderson. 

The visitors got their equalizer in stoppage time after a free kick found Gavin Turner, who blasted the ball into the net past Andrew Rick. Turner just arrived in Chattanooga on loan from DC United, who does not have an MLS Next Pro side. The match was the 18-year-old’s first start and first goal for his new team. 

Second half

At the break, Malik Jakupovic entered for Markus Anderson, who had a knock to his knee in the first half. Chattanooga’s Colin Thomas made way for Markus Naglestad. 

Kellan LeBlanc got another opportunity in the 51st minute thanks to an unselfish pass from Eddy Davis. The midfielder’s shot was deflected for a corner. Soon after, Gio Sequera saw yellow for repeated dissent. 

Chattanooga pulled ahead in the 57th minute following a miscommunication between Andrew Rick and Rafael Uzcátegui, which saw the ball at the feet of Jalen James in front of a wide-open net. James recycled the ball and found himself seeing it again to score. Rick had come off his line to claim the ball while Uzcátegui shielded it, but misjudged the speed of the oncoming attacker. Aside from Uzcátegui, the rest of the Union defense seemed asleep on the through ball that led to the initial error. 

On a break following a goal kick for Chattanooga, Rick came off his line again to claim a ball in the air. The sideline official deemed he was outside of his box, and the young keeper saw a yellow card for the offense. Rick saved the subsequent free kick. 

Chattanooga broke through again in the 67th minute. Rick made the initial save, but his back post was left entirely open for Tate Robertson to slot in what seemed like the winner. 

Union II created some attacking chances in the 75th minute, which ended with Nick Pariano blasting the ball off the face of a Chattanooga defender. The referee used the stoppage to send the teams for their second-half hydration break.

Willyam Ferreira beat his defender and found the head of Malik Jakupovic to get one back for Philadelphia in the 85th minute. The young striker continued his excellent scoring form against his uncle.

Chattanooga attempted to delay the restart but could not hold Union II back. Nick Pariano, who had moved to right back, sailed a cross into the box that quickly fell to the feet of Cavan Sullivan, who scored the equalizer. 

Both sides spent the five minutes of stoppage time searching for the winner, but the match needed to be decided on kicks from the spot. 

The shootout victory keeps Philadelphia in 2nd place in the East, 3 points behind leading New York Red Bulls II with two games in hand. 

Cavan Sullivan

The youngster scored his first professional brace with both the opening goal and a late equalizer, and also converted his penalty in the shootout. He was given the full 90 minutes against the much older and tougher opponent. 

Next match

Union II will travel to Charlotte on Saturday, July 19th, and face Crown Legacy FC.

 Three points, plus one:

• Cavan Sullivan’s brace makes him Union II’s leading scorer with 5 goals. Malik Jakupovic moved to second with four goals in just 3 appearances. 
• Nick Pariano bagged his first assist of the season on Cavan Sullivan’s opening goal.
• Willyam Ferreira continues to impress in his limited minutes.
• On Friday, July 11th, the Philadelphia Union announced that homegrown midfielder CJ Olney has joined Lexington SC of the USL Championship on loan through the end of 2025. During his time with Union II, Olney made 57 appearances and contributed 12 goals and 18 assists over the last three seasons. We suspect that the loan move will give him more minutes at a higher division, making him a more attractive candidate for the Under-20 World Cup this fall. Likewise, his time there will prepare him to integrate as a first-team reserve with the Union in 2026. He made his debut on Saturday, July 12th in a 1-1 draw against Miami FC, entering in the 72nd minute alongside former Union striker Cory Burke, who went on to score the equalizer.

Lineups

Union II (4-2-2-2, L-R) Head coach Ryan Richter, Bethlehem Steel FC’s original captain. 1st – 8; UII – 3+4; A – 0+1.

Andrew Rick; Isaiah LeFlore (Jordan Griffin– 67’), Neil Pierre, Gio Sequera (Oscar Benitez– 72’), Rafael Uzcátegui, Nick Pariano, Kellan LeBlanc (Leandro Soria– 67’), Cavan Sullivan, David Vazquez, Eddy Davis (Willyam Ferreira– 79’), Markus Anderson (Malik Jakupovic– 46’)

Unused subs: Pierce Holbrook

Chattanooga (4-3-3) Head Coach Chris Nugent

Eldin Jakupovic, Milo Garvanian, Ethan Dudley, Farid Sar-Sar, Nathan Koehler (Robert Screen– 85’), Steeve Louis Jean, Tate Robinson, Gavin Turner (Nick Mendonca– 79’), Jalen James (Keegan Ancelin– 79’), Daniel Mangarov (Callum Watson– 70’), Colin Thomas (Markus Naglestad– 46’)

Unused Subs: Michael Barrueta, Min-jae Kwak, Xavier Rimpel

Scoring Summary:

UII: Sullivan– 18’

CFC: Turner– 45+5’

CFC: James– 57’ 

CFC: Robertson– 67’

UII: Jakupovic– 85’

UII: Sullivan– 86’ 

Discipline Summary:

CFC: Robertson– 36’

CFC: Sar-Sar– 42’

UII: Sequera– 53’ 

UII: Rick– 65’

CFC: Watson– 90+4’

Stats

Whistle and flags: 

Ref: Atahan Yaya, AR1: Tom Felice, AR2: Justen Lopez, 4th: Stephen Foster

Shootout