Photo courtesy Kevin Barret

Philadelphia Union II played host to Chicago Fire FC II on Sunday afternoon, looking to continue their form from their previous 3-1 victory over Columbus Crew 2 seven days prior. Ryan Richter’s side did not let off the gas through ninety minutes and put on a five-two rout, headlined by a Stas Korzeniowski brace. The other goals came from Sal Olivas, Cavan Sullivan, and, of course, Malik Jakupovic. 

Defensive lapses late in the match allowed for Chicago’s Jason Shokalook to bag a late brace of his own. 

In advance

Union II forward Eddy Davis was called into the United States Men’s Under-20 National Team camp as a training player for the upcoming Under-20 World Cup in Chile. He will join the squad for the week leading up to the group stage. Former Union II captain turned first-team regular Frankie Westfield was selected as one of seven defenders on the roster.

George Marks earned his second start for Union II. 

Chicago Fire II started goalkeeper Owen Pratt, whose signing was announced today after the lineup was put out. Pratt is a product of the LA Galaxy and played for their Next Pro affiliate Ventura County FC in the Western Conference. 

First half

Chicago homegrown Christopher Cupps made a nearly damning error in the third minute, backing away from a ball that found the foot of Cavan Sullivan. Sullivan’s through ball to Sal Olivas put the forward in a difficult spot, but Union II were able to earn two consecutive corners. The height of Chicago’s defense and goalkeeper, Owen Pratt, made the lofted balls difficult to get onto. 

Cavan Sullivan played another forward pass toward Sal Olivas and Markus Anderson. Anderson received it in the box, but after beating the defender, his shot ultimately went wide. Cavan was settling into the match as the catalyst for Union II’s attacking progression. 

Stas Korzeniowski opened the scoring with a low driven shot to Chris Pratt’s back post, assisted by Giovanny Sequera. The play started with a George Marks delivery to Sal Olivas. The goal was Korzeniowski’s second in two matches.

Sal Olivas bagged one of his own, beating Christopher Cupps on the run and playing another low shot into the center of Pratt’s net. The assist was another through ball from Cavan Sullivan. The move paid off after a few times of asking, finally releasing Olivas to score his first since July 30th. That play also began with a Marks distribution.

Union II held their defensive shape throughout the half to prevent Chicago from getting important chances. Those chances the visitors did manage to sneak into resulted in either shots off target completely or straight to the hands of George Marks.

Pratt came up with a big save to prevent Neil Pierre from adding a third to the score, stopping the center back’s header with a strong hand. 

Union II went into the halftime break with a 2-0 lead. 

Second half

Ryan Richter made no changes at the break. Chicago made two changes and notably brought on reigning MLS Next Pro Golden Boot winner, David Poreba, who recently returned from injury. 

Union II earned an early free kick on the right wing for a foul on Gio Sequera. Cavan Sullivan’s curling shot went high and wide of the net. 

Gio Sequera won a penalty for Union II in the 60th minute. Cavan Sullivan stepped up to the spot and converted with a shot low to Pratt’s left. 

Coach Richter opted for a quadruple sub, bringing in Eddy Davis, Oscar Benitez, Kellan LeBlanc, and Kaiden Moore for Olivas, Sequera, Anderson, and Griffin. The changes brought Pariano over to right back, and Moore went like-for-like at left back with Griffin.

Stas scored his second in the 66th minute, assisted by Nick Pariano. The captain played him into space, and he turned to get the shot off for his first professional brace. 

Pariano made a goal-line save on a Chicago free kick, followed by another block from Neil Pierre. Union II continues to impress with blocking shots. 

Korzienowski made way for Malik Jakupovic in the 75th minute with Richter’s fifth substitution. 

Kellan LeBlanc nearly scored immediately after the change, but was denied by a reaction save from Owen Pratt. 

Neil Pierre was forced off as a concussion sub in the 80th minute. He made way for Leandro Soria and Oscar Benites took his place in the back line. 

Malik Jakupovic’s scoring was inevitable, receiving the ball over the Chicago back line from Kellan LeBlanc and chipping Owen Pratt to make it 5-0. 

Chicago earned a penalty of their own thanks to a Kaiden Moore foul on substitute Jhoiner Montiel in the 88th minute. Jason Shokalook’s kick from the spot was saved by George Marks, but Shokalook was able to get a consolation goal on the rebound. 

Union II needed to remain tight through four minutes of stoppage time to see out the victory, but the defense fell asleep on a Chicago free kick to give up a second goal. Shokalook’s mark gave up on him, allowing the forward to place an easy header into the side netting. 

The match ended immediately after the restart. With the result, Union II remains second place in the East and is three points behind first place New York Red Bulls II, has the fewest goals conceded in the league (30), and the second most goals scored (58). 

Cavan Sullivan

The young phenom was named to the first team’s matchday roster the day prior, but did not see the field. He started for Union II this afternoon and assisted Sal Olivas’ goal and converted his 61st-minute penalty. He played every minute of this afternoon’s victory. 

Next match

Union II will travel to face Toronto FC II on Friday, September 26th at 7 PM  for their last away fixture of the 2025 regular season.

 Three Points:

•  Stas Korzienowski looked like a new man, rejuvenated by his much-needed goal last weekend. His holdup play, dribbling, and positioning all looked sharpened. 
• George Marks had an incredible match despite conceding two. He saved the 90th-minute penalty, but was unlucky not to be able to get the rebound. He got let down by his defense on the second goal. 
• CJ Olney played his second straight full-90 in the defensive midfield since rejoining the squad after his loan stint. His presence back in the team has made them look much more cohesive on both sides of the ball. 

Lineups

Union II (4-2-2-2, L-R) Head coach Ryan Richter  1st – 7+1; UII – 3+5; A – 1.

George Marks; Jordan Griffin (Kaiden Moore– 62’), Rafael Uzcategui, Neil Pierre (Leandro Soria– 80’), Giovanny Sequera (Oscar Benitez– 62’), CJ Olney, Nick Pariano, Markus Anderson (Kellan LeBlanc– 62’), Cavan Sullivan, Sal Olivas (Eddy Davis– 62’), Stas Korzeniowski (Malik Jakupovic– 75’)

Unused subs: Lou Liedtka; Willyam Ferreira, Jamir Johnson

Chicago Fire FC II (4-3-3) Head Coach Mike Matkovich

Owen Pratt; Justin Reynolds, Dylan Borso, Christopher Cupps, Jean Diouf, Trip Fleming, Charles Nagle (Harold Osorio– 46’), Sam Williams, Jason Shokalook, Robert Turdean, Damian Nigg (Joiner Montiel– 70’)

Unused Subs: David Molenda; David Poreba, Geni Kanyane 

Scoring Summary:

UII: Korzeniowski– 15′

UII: Olivas– 21′

UII: Sullivan– 61’ (PK)

UII: Korzeniowski– 66’ 

CFII: Shokalook– 89’

CFII: Shokalook– 90+’

Discipline Summary:

UII: Anderson– 30’
UII: Griffin– 44’
UII: Korzeniowski– 68’
UII: Marks– 80’

Stats

Whistle and flags: 

Ref: Atahan Yaya, AR1: Amilcar Sicaju, AR2: Colin Ashley, 4th: Laszlo Sandler.