Photo courtesy Philadelphia Union II

Looking to bounce back after dropping points at home last week, Philadelphia Union II dropped another three points at home to New England Revolution II. 

New England took the lead in the first half with three goals in five minutes, two from Liam Butts and an own goal from Neil Pierre. The older, more experienced attackers proved to be too much of a handful for the Union II defense. Despite efforts in the second half, Union II could not change its fate. 

In advance

Union II goalkeeper Pierce Holbrook, the usual favorite behind Andrew Rick, suffered from a non-contact knee injury during warmups for the first team’s match against Chicago Fire FC the night prior. There has been no official statement on his status as of the time of writing. Mike Sheridan was the choice to start in his place for Union II, the Ridley native’s second appearance of the season.

Most of the first team reserves were available, including Cavan Sullivan, who appeared for the first team the night before. Amid rumors of a loan move to Detroit City FC of the USL, Isaiah LeFlore was not named to the matchday squad. 

Amateur Jamir Johnson has returned from his stint with PSV and was available on the bench but did not play.

Both previous matches between the sides this season resulted in kicks from the spot. New England took the extra point on the first, and Philadelphia won the second shootout. 

First half

Union II had a few promising chances in the early minutes of the match, but all of their shots on target were directly at Revolution II goalkeeper JD Gunn. The host’s press was effective, forcing several turnovers in the middle of the pitch. Even when New England found themselves in the final third, they were mostly unable to make the final pass. 

Gio Sequera received a yellow card minutes later for persistent infringement. He had committed two earlier fouls.

New England found the opener in the 35th minute, where Marcos Dias was left unmarked on a throw-in and found Liam Butts on the wing to roof the shot. 

A miscommunication between Neil Pierre and Mike Sheridan led to the center back heading the ball into his own net two minutes later. 

Another Pierre mistake opened the path for Liam Butts to score again in a 2v1 against Rafael Uzcategui, who could not do anything to prevent it. The error may have been a result of an uncalled foul on Pierre, but nonetheless, that breakaway was uncharacteristic of Union II. 

The floodgate had opened, and Union II spent the rest of the half trying to get itself on the score sheet, but the pressure from New England prevented further scoring opportunities.

Second half

Noah Probst entered at the break for Neil Pierre and slid Oscar Benitez to center back. Union II appeared a bit more put together, but still could not connect in the final third. 

Things picked up ten minutes into the half, when a couple of corners gave some promising chances. Eddy Davis, with his back turned, had a strike bounce off the bar and onto the goal line. 

Mike Sheridan had another nearly catastrophic miscommunication outside his box in the 60th minute, this time with Oscar Benitez, but the keeper was able to clear the ball away. 

The head official missed an egregious challenge on Gio Sequera in the 60th minute. Before the restart, Coach Richter made his last four changes. Kaiden Moore made his Union II debut and came on alongside Willyam Ferriera, Malik Jakupovic, and Sal Olivas. Amid the changes, Nick Pariano moved over to right back to provide some experience to the defense. Kellan LeBlanc slotted back into the defensive midfield in his place.

Head official Servando Berna lost control of the match completely in the 73rd minute after a foul on Markus Anderson led to an altercation between him and New England’s Damorney Hutchinson. Kellan LeBlanc jumped in and saw yellow alongside two New England players.

Frustrations continued to rise for Union II players, who all wanted to get one back as individuals rather than as a team. 

Servando Berna brandished a yellow card to New England’s Damario McIntosh for a foul on Markus Anderson, and something must have been said for Berna to give an immediate second yellow and ejection. From the press box, it did appear as though Berna only gave one yellow before the red, and may have mistook the identity of McIntosh for that of someone who received an earlier yellow and ejected him by mistake. To his credit, McIntosh did not argue the decision. 

Union II held a man advantage for the final ten minutes and stoppage time. Random fouls called against Philadelphia dominated the final minutes of play, but Richter was firm in his postgame comments to say that the officiating had no effect on the result, and that his team’s performance in the first half deserved that scoreline. 

Malik Jakupovic scored in the 90th to finally get one back and lessen the sting slightly. The fourth official indicated five minutes of stoppage time afterward, and New England intended to waste every second of it. 

Nick Pariano was effective defensively in his changed position, but was unable to push into the attack to create chances as much as he is used to when the team is down.

The match ended in a 3-1 victory for the visitors, but the hosts were able to get something out of the match with Jakupovic’s goal.

Cavan Sullivan

The youngest Sullivan had a 20-minute cameo in the first team’s 4-0 rout over the Chicago Fire the night prior, where a dribble and cross led to the fourth goal of the evening.  He saw another 60 minutes at the Next Pro level, but did not play as big a factor for Union II as he normally does. 

Next match

Union II will play on the seventh day at Northern Kentucky University Stadium against FC Cincinnati II. 

 Three Points:

•  Malik Jakupovic scored his seventh goal of the season in 330 minutes played. He leads the team in goals scored.
• Recent loanee Kaiden Moore made his Union II debut and played out of position at left back as opposed to left center back. Given the circumstances he entered the match in, he did his best to contribute on the left flank.
• The departures of Oliver Semmle and now likely Isaiah LeFlore will continue to put growing pains on the squad at this portion of the season, but will also provide opportunities for amateurs Jordan Griffin and Alex Smith.

Lineups

Union II (4-2-2-2, L-R) Head coach Ryan Richter. 1st – 5+1; UII – 4+4; A – 1.

Mike Sheridan; Giovanny Sequera (Malik Jakupovic– 64’), Rafael Uzcategui, Neil Pierre (Noah Probst– 45’), Jordan Griffin (Kaiden Moore– 64’), Nick Pariano, Oscar Benitez, Cavan Sullivan (Willyam Ferreira– 64’), Kellan LeBlanc, Markus Anderson, Eddy Davis III (Sal Olivas– 64’)

Unused subs: Alex Smith, Jamir Johnson, Stas Korzienowski, Leo Soria

New England Revolution II (4-3-3) Head Coach Richard Williams

JD Gunn; Victor Souza, Damario McIntosh, Heston Barry, Gabriel Dahlin, Marcos Dias, Christiano Olivera (Alex Monis– 87’), Javaun Mussenden, Malcolm Fry, Gevork Diarbian (Joe Buck– 82’), Liam Butts (Damorney Hutchinson– 69’)

Unused Subs: Ryker Fauth, Michael Tsicoulias, Sharo George

Scoring Summary:

NE: Butts– 35’

NE: Pierre (Own goal)– 38’

NE: Butts– 40’

UII: Jakupovic– 90’

Discipline Summary:

PHI – Giovanny Sequera (caution) 32’

PHI – Jordan Griffin (caution) 43’

NE – Javaun Mussenden (caution) 73’

PHI – Sal Olivas (caution) 73’

PHI – Kellan LeBlanc (caution) 74’

NE – Damario McIntosh (caution) 79’

NE – Damario McIntosh (second caution, caution) 79’

NE – Alex Monis (caution) 89’

Stats

Whistle and flags: 

Ref: Servando Berna, AR1: Trevor Hadick, AR2: Shane Richards, 4th: Amelia Graytock