Photo @PhilaUnionII

In Columbus on Sunday afternoon, playoff-bound Philadelphia Union II defeated Columbus Crew 2 three goals to one to retake second place in the Eastern Conference of MLS NEXT Pro with three games to play.

Stas Korzeniowski and Eddy Davis scored goals in the 11th and 14th minutes respectively to take a lead that was not challenged until Chase Adams scored in the 90th. Substitute Union II attacking mid Willyam Ferreira, 16.6 years old, found substitute attacking mid Jamir Johnson, 17.2, to end Columbus’s comeback hope.

The game reminds everyone that Union II’s primary purpose is player development not winning. After a full hour of unchallenged, superbly organized, high-pressing dominance, Union II head coach Ryan Richter subbed off Eddy Davis and Kellen LeBlanc for two young teenagers who are still learning the ropes of professional play. For the last half hour of the match, Columbus was increasingly dangerous, scoring late as mentioned.

In advance

Philadelphia’s first team played the night before on the West Coast in Vancouver, British Columbia and sometime Union II regulars Sal Olivas, Cavan Sullivan and Neil Pierre made the trip. The trio were not in Columbus with the second team, nor was goalkeeper George Marks. The first team was expected to fly Sunday from Vancouver direct to Nashville for the US Open Cup semifinal this coming Tuesday.

Last Thursday CJ Olney was announced as having been recalled from his loan to Lexington SC of the USL Championship.  He had not been getting much playing time, 94 minutes from four appearances, having dressed seven times. He returned but to assume a subtlely different role than before with Union II.

Last Friday, former Cheltenham High School goalkeeper Lou Liedtka signed with Union II. He had played four years at Davidson in North Carolina and then did a graduate year at Vermont where he was part of the 2024 NCAA Division I national champion. Effectively, Liedtka is taking Pierce Holbrook’s slot among the goalkeepers while Holbrook recovers from what we all assume was a knee injury picked up in pregame warmups August 23, 2025.

In Neil Pierre’s absence we expected — correctly — that Oscar Benitez would start at right center back, making loanee Kaiden Moore the only known depth piece at central or outside defender.

In order to resume second place, Coach Richter’s side needed a win to surpass New England Revolution II and Chicago Fire II, who had both won earlier in the week.

First half

As should be no surprise from a team coached by Federico Higuain, Columbus attempted to come out of the gate on the front foot. For the first six or eight minutes, Union II’s defense clearly missed Pierre and Holbrook. But Mike Sheridan made two key early saves, and group organization replaced Pierre’s ability to dominate the box. Benitez is not as dominating a ball-winner as Pierre, nor is he as good a passer. But he is a shot blocker and a critical position anticipator. He had two saves off the goal line by the time the entire match had been played.

Ryan Richter’s side showed a devastating high press whenever they drove possession into Columbus’s defensive third. The Philadelphia starting group looked rested, and sharply organized.  Two midfielders deserve especial mention. Kellan LeBlanc had a clear pace advantage over his marker. And Richter’s move of the returned CJ Olney from attacking mid to defensive mid next to Nick Pariano was the foundation of the press’s success. Offensively, it meant equal success from each double six in starting the attack. And at least against a lesser team, Olney’s ball-winning was effective despite his comparatively lesser physical stature. Olney played the entire match and was crucial once Pariano went off injured in the second half.

The Union had 12 shots in the first half. Eight were on target.  Columbus’s goalkeeper Stansilav Lapkes kept the hosts in the game.

Second half

Neither coach substituted at halftime.

The first fifteen minutes after the break followed the same basic pattern as the first half.

Then Union II’s development role changed the game.  Malik Jakupovic does not provide the same level of defensive pressure as Eddy Davis. He is not a threat to win the ball from his defender. William Ferreira is a different player from Kellan LeBlanc, but defensively the two are much closer to interchangeable than Jakupovic and Davis.

In the last half hour, Columbus began to dominate offensively. Philadelphia center back Benitez led the resistance followed by many teammates blocking shots, intercepting passes, and directing clearances toward midfield. But in the 89th minute, Columbus’s prized young forward Chase Adams struck, sending a jolt of hope through the home crowd.

But in the second minute of stoppage time, Union II’s Ferreira found Johnson and the restored two-goal lead decided the matter.

Next match^;

Union II will host fellow playoff qualifier Chicago Fire II on Sunday, September 21, at 3:00 PM at Subaru Park.

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; UII – 6+5; AA – 1+1. Starters Ave Age = 20.4

Starters: Mike Sheridan (24.1)^UII ; Jordan Griffin (16.9)^AA, Rafael Uzcategui (20.9)^UII, Oscar Benitez (20.7)^UII, Gio Sequera (19.6)^UII; CJ Olney (18.7)^1st, Nick Pariano (22.5)^1st (Leandro Soria (20.9)^UII 69′); Markus Anderson (21.6)^1st ( Jamir Johnson (17.2)^AA 77′), Kellen LeBlanc (17.5)^UII (Willyam Ferreira (16.6)^UII  65′); Stas Korzeniowski (22.6)^UII, Eddy Davis (19.2)^1st (Malik Jakupovic (16.2)^UII65′).

Unused substitutes: Lou Liedtka (23.7)^UII; Kaiden Moore (18.3)^UII.

 Crew 2 (3-4-3)  Head coach Frederico Higuain.

Starters: Stanislaw Lapkes (19); Christopher Rogers (19), Malcolm Palacios (21), Keesean Fernandez (22); Anthiony Alaouieh (19), Ibrahima Sy (21) (Cristian Ortiz (18) 77′), Gio De Libera (18) (Kaile Auvray (21) 60′), Brent Adu-Gyamfi (19) (Quinton Elliott (21) 60′); Nico Rincon (19), Chase Adams (17), Kevin Gbambie (18).

Unused substitutes: Keller Abbott (16); Dylan Randazzo (18), , Prince Forfor (16),Alex Gimple (16), Isaac Tortola (17).

Goals

Union II            11th minute            Stas Korzeniowski (Kellan LeBlanc)

Union II            14th minute           Eddy Davis (Nick Pariano)

Crew 2                89th minute          Chase Adams (Kevin Gbambie, Kaile Auvray)

Union II             90+3minute          Jamir Johnson (Willyam Ferreira)

Yellow Cards

Crew 2              26th minute           Anthony Alaouieh (foul)

 Stats

 Whistle & Flags

Ref: Stephanie MacFarland; AR¹: Jake Brochu; AR²: Marcus Barnett; 4^th: Josh Braunstein.