Photo courtesy Philadelphia Union II Communications

Playing at Icahn Field in Manhattan, on a field to which New York City FC has given $3 million to refurbish its grass surface, the Philadelphia Union II defeated New York City FC II 2-0.

The clean sheet is worthy of comment because Philadelphia was missing two season-long defensive stalwarts. Those were center back Neil Pierre who was needed by the first team later that night as a defensive reserve and defensive midfielder David Vazquez who has been unofficially reported as on his way to San Diego FC of MLS on a loan for the rest of the season with an option to purchase.

Coach Richter’s adjusted defense clean sheeted New York and held them to only six total shots for the match. One of those shots were on goal.

Markus Anderson poked home the winner off a melee at the near post after a corner kick in the 60th minute. Then in the 82nd Malik Jakupovic took over the team lead in scoring with his sixth goal in his fifth professional game, on assists from Jamir Johnson and Nick Pariano. It was Johnson’s first professional assist.

In advance

For the second consecutive game, Union II played the same day as the first team, again tapping off earlier than older brother.

 In addition to the absent Vazquez and Pierre, Sal Olivas was with the first team where he got a stoppage time cameo. And unofficially Cavan Sullivan was in Manchester, England at some form of preseason (click here.)

New Union II acquisition defensive midfielder Noah Probst from St. Gallen’s u21s in Switzerland was unavailable, presumably because his international paperwork is not complete. So Oscar Benitez started at defensive mid as he did last weekend in greater Charlotte, NC.

NYCFC II has three teenagers who have gone up to the first team on short-term agreements. Also, on their official Spring Roster Profile their first team lists five off-roster homegrowns, and only six Supplemental Roster players not the full ten or eleven. We recognize four names on that first team roster as having earlier been second team players for NYCFC II. Perhaps a longer-term transition in player development strategy is underway?

First half

The clear player of the first half, indeed of the match,  was NYC FC II goalkeeper Alex Rando. He faced 17 shots in the first half, four on target. He made four official first half saves and several more crucial collections and clearances.

The first 30 minutes was fairly every played, Philadelphia had its play further forward in New York’s defensive third, but both sides were getting used to each other. Philly was adjusting to its new lineup.

In the half’s last 15 minutes, Philadelphia began to dominate. NYCFC II blocked nine first half Union II shots. New York’s shot on target came in the 31st.

Oscar Benitez covers ground well as a double six, and breaks up opponents’ play. He is no match for either Pariano or Vazquez in offensive distribution. We have the sense that he may do better long term as a center back where offensive distribution can require less offensive ball dexterity and places a greater premium on speed and athleticism and courage..

Isaiah LeFlore did well as a surprise left center back, although he does seem to make one potentially catastrophic mistake a game.  In this game he immediately corrected it by recovering the ball immediately. Gio Sequera continued to establish his credibility as a right back at  the Union II level.

Second half

Neither coach made subs at halftime.

Union II continued to create play while New York relied on counterattacks without sustaining much offensive possession. Anderson and Eddy Davis continued to attack the right side of New York’s defense effectively. Keeper Rando had to save a short-distance breakaway combination from the duo in the 49th minute.

Kellen LeBlanc was trying to take responsibility as a playmaker. But he does much better at that when serving restarts than from the run of play, so far. In the absence of Vazquez and CJ Olney he and Pariano are the free kick servers.

Malik Jakupovic came on the 67th minute as a like-for-like swap with Davis who had clearly left his shooting boots in Philly.

When Richter subbed Leandro Soria for Jordan Griffin and Willyam Ferreira for Stas Korzeniowski in the 74th, he kept the usual shape but rearranged its personnel. Benitez came back into the back line and LeFlore moved out to left back for Griffin who had played his longest ever stretch of Union II game minutes. We suspect that probably LeBlanc replaced Benitez at the double six, but the camera was far enough from the field that we are making a surmise rather than asserting a fact.

Richter’s last move was to replace Anderson with Jamir Johnson who played as a striker next to Jakupovic covering lots of ground defensively.

Next match

Union II next play away on the fourth day, Wednesday, July 30^th, at Carolina Core in North Carolina’s “research triangle.”

Three Points + 1

1. Jakupovic now leads the team in scoring with his sixth, and this one was not a stoppage time special.
2. Anderson’s goal now means the are eight Union II players with three or more goals on the season.
3. Icahn’s Kentucky bluegrass earns NYC FC full compliments for money well spent.
4. A full 90-minute shift was put in by Kellen LeBlanc, a developmental first if memory is correct.

B O X S C O R E

Lineups

Union II (4-2-2-2, L-R) Head coach Ryan Richter. 1^st – 4+0; U II – 6+4; AA – 1+1.

Starters: Pierce Holbrook^{U II} (22.3); Jordan Griffin^AA(16.7) (Leandro Soria^{U II}(20.7) 74′), Isaiah LeFlore^1st(22.6), Rafael Uzcategui^{U II}(20.8),), Gio Sequera^{U II}(19.4); Oscar Benitez^{U II}(20.7), Nick Pariano^1st(22.3); Kellan LeBlanc^{U II}(17.3), Markus Anderson^1st(21.6) (Jamir Johnson^AA(17.0) 78′); Stas Korzeniowski^{U II}(22.5) (Willyam Ferreira^{U II}(16.5) 74′), Eddy Davis^1st(19.1) (Malik Jakupovic^{U II}(16.1) 67′). Starters’ Ave Age =20.5

Unused substitutes: Mike Sheridan^{U II}(23.9).

NYC II (3-4-3) Head coach Matt Pilkington.

Starters: Alex Rando; Jonathan Lopez, Collin McCamy, Prince Amponsah, Luka Sunjic, Evan Lim, Peter Molinari (Lucas De Pinho 73’), Chris Tiao, Julien Lacher, Eligio Guarino ( James Bilden 73’), Piero Elias (Uriel Zeitz 60’).

Substitutes not used: David Duque, Mac Learned, Pierce Infuso, Dylan McDermott, Jack Loura, Adonis Campos.

Goals

Union II             60th minute           Markus Anderson (Oscar Benitez, Kellan LeBlanc)

Union II             82nd minute           Malik Jakupovic (Jamir Johnson, Nick Pariano)

Yellow Cards

NYC FC II           16th minute           Luka Sunic (foul)

Union II              21st minute            Gio Sequera (foul)

NYC FC II           26th minute           Peter Molinari (foul)

NYC FC II           43rd minute          Piero Elias (foul)

Union II              51st minute           Kellan LeBlanc (delay)

Union II              80th minute          Isaiah LeFlore (foul)

NYC FC II           84th minute          James Bilden (foul)

NYC FC II           88th minute          Chris Tiao (dissent)

NYC FC II           90+4 minute         Colin McCamy (????)

Red Cards

Union II             90th minute          Isaiah LeFlore (2nd caution)

Stats

Whistle & Flags

Ref: Kyle Johnston; AR¹: Tyler Spiczka; AR²: Bryan Conetta; 4^th: Adam Cook.