Photo courtesy Philadelphia Union II Communications

Because regular season first place finisher New York Red Bull II advanced to the next round of the playoffs, they exercised choice of opponent for the conference semifinals. Wednesday afternoon October 23rd they chose to play sixth seed Chicago Fire II at Montclair State University in north Jersey, their home pitch. The match pits the two highest scoring offenses in the league against each other.

New York’s choice means that second place Philadelphia Union II will play Huntsville at 6:00 PM Saturday, October 25th at Subaru Park in Chester. The match pits the two stingiest defenses in the league against each other.

Previous meetings this season

Huntsville allowed 32 goals in 28 league games. Philadelphia allowed 34. Offensively Philadelphia was third in the league with 64 goals, while Huntsville was  eighth with 56.

Head to head, Union II played Huntsville only once this season. They visited north Alabama seven months ago on Friday, March 28th. The match was a 2-2 draw at the end of regulation, and Nashville’s professional farm team won the shootout 4-3 on penalties.

It is worth noting that Union II’s team has changed considerably since the end of March. It should also be noted that international call-ups for the 2025 FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar will change the team even more. They remove three attacking midfielders and the starting left back: Cavan Sullivan, Kellan LeBlanc, Jamir Johnson, and Jordan Griffin.

Union II will play Huntsville with a short bench.

Fortunately Union II head coach Ryan Richter has been working on his squad’s positional flexibility. He has developed several choices among the men he asks to be the next man up. Captain Nick Pariano’s versatility at the MLSNET Pro level will be critical. The challenge for which it will be most difficult to prepare is injury.

How has Philadelphia changed?

Players develop over the course of the season and new ones join.

• Gio Sequera had not yet become a starter, let alone acquired possession of right back.
• Striker Stas Korzeniowski had not yet begun consistently to score.
• Rafael Uzcategui had not yet locked down left center back.
• Right Center back Neil Pierre had not yet been named MLS NEXT Pro Defender of the Year.
• Defensive mid/center back Oscar Benitez had not yet figured out how to use his athleticism within Union II’s Carnell-like principles of play.
• Midfielder CJ Olney had not yet returned from loan and returned to his 2024 form.
• Midfielder Willyam Ferreira had not yet debuted, although he had signed.
• Striker Malik Jakupovic had not yet even signed.
• George Marks had not yet been signed as the first team’s third goalkeeper.
•  Defensive mid Noah Probst had not yet been acquired on loan.
• Neither had defender Kaiden Moore.

And old players depart.

• Defensive mid Zach Mastrodimos graduated and went to UCLA.
• Defensive mid Henry Bernstein also graduated, but he went to Maryland.
• Right back Gavin Wetzel graduated and went to Pitt.
• Goalkeepers Gavin Atkinson and Jojo Elliott also graduated and left for college.
• Midfielder/winger David Vazquez went on loan with purchase options to San Diego of MLS.
• Left back Isaiah LeFlore went on loan to Detroit City of the USL Championship.
• Goalkeeper Oliver Semmle went on loan to North Carolina of USL Championship.

Most significantly, the team as a whole has adjusted to Bradley Carnell’s principles of play and to new head coach Ryan Richter.

For all practical intents and purposes Huntsville will face a new opponent.