Photo courtesy Red Bull II communications via Philadelphia Union communications

Philadelphia Union II won a penalty shootout against Red Bull New York II at Montclair State University soccer park in north Jersey late Sunday afternoon in one of the most improbable successes they have ever achieved in their short history.

After 20-25 minutes Red Bull fully dominated control of the match, Union II having managed neither shots nor threats to New York’s penalty area. The closeout continued until the 63rd minute when substitute Jordan Griffin delivered an inch perfect cross from the left of the area to the onrushing Lennon Harrington in the box for Harrington’s perfect volley and his first professional goal ever.

After head coach Ryan Richter had made his other predictable and obligatory developmental substitutions, Red Bull began to reassert their previous dominance based in no small part on their own substituted fresh legs and tied the match at almost literally its death.

In the consequent penalty kick shootout for the extra point, two excellent goalkeepers each made three saves as the event went seven rounds. The decisive scoring shot was taken by the Union’s own keeper George Marks to win the extra point. His previous saves had robbed the hosts of certain goals at least twice.

In advance: Union II personnel

So far this year as a rule Union II’s goalkeeper and defensive line seem to have averaged four years older than its layered three pairs of six attackers. Roughly, the defenders have averaged 22 and the attackers have averaged 18.

Last year’s MLSNEXT Pro Defender of the Year Neil Pierre is on loan with Lyngby Boldklub – currently leading Denmark’s second division – for the second half of their season which began in late February. He has dressed for all three games, and he has started and played in one, a 3-1 victory over AC Horsens. According to Transfermarkt he played the full match, judging by other sources we think as a right center back. He scored Lyngby’s first and third goals, tying the match for them and then clinching it.

Oscar Benitez’s second yellow card against CT United meant he was suspended against Red Bull II.

Mali U20 and U23 international Mamoutou Berthe was officially announced as acquired by Union II the day of its home CT United match. He is a defensive midfielder who stands 6’2” and is 19.2 years old. PSP observed him practice the day before he was officially announced. Benitez’s suspension necessarily accelerated his integration into Ryan Richter’s game day side. Once Benitez returns He will be competition for Academy 16-year-old Timo Mendoza and academy 17-year-old Markus De Paula.

Midfielder Paco Dadi has also been announced as a signing. He suffered an injury very early in preseason which we have been told is serious and may keep him from playing this year.

Striker Malik Jakupovic was again called up on a short-term agreement to the first team for the Chicago game the evening before and played 29 minutes. We assume the unavailability of first teamers Ezekiel Alladoh and Agustin Anello affected the decision. He hopped the bus to north Jersey nonetheless.

The Union Academy U18s played the Columbus Crew U18s in the Sportsplex fieldhouse Saturday morning, possibly limiting Union II’s bench availability in north Jersey.

In advance: game preview

The resumption of one of Union II’s more intense rivalries reminds us to discuss how much MLS NEXT Pro sides change from year to year. Last year’s Red Bull II head coach is now head coach of their first team. A flank midfielder, Adri Mehmeti, and one of their strikers, Julian Hall, are both now starting for him there. Hall was MLS Player of the Week on match day one. Similarly, former Union II striker Stas Korzeniowski and attacking midfielder Cavan Sullivan have assumed Philadelphia first team roles as primary reserves and spot starters. And each squad has each had several of last year’s players leave their respective organizations.

As longer-term observers of Union II would expect, several of last year’s bench players have moved into starting roles. We do not know the Red Bull II roster well enough to comment on its transitions.

Union II have won two and lost one of their season’s previous three games at home, scoring three goals total  and surrendering two. Red Bull II have won two at home and lost a penalty kick shootout after a draw away, scoring eight goals and surrendering three.

First half

For the first twenty or so minutes Union II was able to withstand New York’s pressing in the midfield.

But Red Bull were bigger, stronger, faster, and most probably older, especially in the midfield. After half an hour it seemed only a matter of time before they broke the match open. Philadelphia reflected their tiredness by becoming late to the ball and fouling repeatedly. Fouls were 18-8 at half.

New York had two almost certain goals denied by Marks and a third turned away by the “woodwork.”

Second half

While neither side substituted at the interval, coach Richter shifted Oliver Pratt from left outside back to right, and Gio Sequera from right to left. He then brought Sequera off to bring on Griffin in the 57th.

Marks made his third larcenous save in the 74th, again a powerful single hand deflected a strong shot.

Richter’s opposite number Dominick Wohlert brought in fresh legs and first teamer Cameron Harper found Paul Sokoloff in the last minute of stoppage time to knot the score. Sokoloff had made an unmarked run into the box having left potential markers behind him upfield.

Careful study of the game statistics given below will reinforce the improbability of the Union’s “win.”  To have gotten anything out of the match the way it was developing before halftime is remarkable.

Three points, plus two

1. Keeper Marks made three saves in the shootout, two absolute thefts of goals in the 39th and the 74th minutes, avoided giving away a penalty kick in stoppage time, and scored the seventh and decisive shot for Union II in the shootout.
2. Academy defensive midfielder Matteus De Paula not only started his first Union II match in place of Oscar Benitez but played the entire 90 minutes, also for the first time ever at the MLS Next Pro level.
3. Jordan Griffin proved the value of quality crosses from outside backs with his assist.
4. Thank fortune — again — that captain and center back Rafael Uzcategui had his option exercised to bring him back.
5. Lennon Harrington‘s final half an hour at defensive midfielder was as crucial to his side’s success as was his scoring his first ever professional goal, to say nothing of his score in the shootout.

Next Match

Union II next play on the 21^st day hosting independent eastern conference southeast division side Carolina Core at Subaru Park at 3 PM Sunday April 12^th. It will be the only regular season meeting of the two sides this year.

B O X S C O R E

Lineups

Union II (4-2-2-2, L-R). 1^st – 3+0; U II – 7+3; AA – 1+6.  Starters’ Average Age = 19.7

Starters: George Marks; Oliver Pratt, Rafael Uzcategui, Finn Sundstrom, Gio Sequera (Jordan Griffin 57′); Marcus De Paula, Mamoutou Berthe (Lennon Harrington 57′); Kellan LeBlanc (Timo Mendoza 83′), Willyam Ferreira (Nehan Hassan 65′); Sal Olivas, Malik Jakupovic (John Ruf 65′).

Marks	Pratt	Uzcategui	Sundstrom	Sequera
1st	U II	U II	1st	U II
26.4	22.4	21.5	19.3	20.1
DePaula	Berthe	LeBlanc	Ferreira	Olivas	Jakupovic
AA	U II	U II	U II	1st	U II
16.7	19.2	18.0	17.1	19.7	16.7

Ave age of the five defenders = 21.9. Ave age of the six attackers = 17.9.

Unused substitutes: Pierce Holbrook; Andrew Craig, Kaiden Moore, Theo Reed.

Holbrook	Harrington	Craig	Moore	Griffin
U II	AA	AA	U II	U II
23.0	17.8	18.5	18.9	17.4
Mendoza	Hassan	Reed	Ruf
AA	AA	AA	AA
16.7	17.7	17.4	16.9

Red Bull II (4-4-2)

Starters: Aidan Stokes; Ryan Scuro (Aimar Modelo 84′), Aimar Sanchez, Erick Londono, Dennis Gjengaar; Dennis Nelich (Paul Sokoloff 84′), Deven Cadigan, Nate Worth, Benjamin Rodriguez (Mijahir Jimenez 67′); Roald Mitchell, Nehuen Benedetti (Cameron Harper 77′).

Unused substitutes: Austin Causey; Aidan Jarvis, Sekou Kone, Shunya Sakai, Akheem Wilson.

Goals

U   II     63′    Lennon Harrington (Jordan Griffin)

RB II    90+4′  Paul Sokoloff (Mijahir Jimenez)

Yellow Cards

RB II    17′    Benjamin  Rodriguez

U   II   25′   Fin Sundstrom

U   II   29′    Giovanny Sequera

RB II   31′   Nehuen Benedetti

RB II   67′   Aimar Sanchez

U   II   90+3′  George Marks (delay)

Stats

RB II	Statistic	U II	RB II	Statistic	U II
12	Shots	3	2	Offsides	2
4	Shots on goal	1	0	Goalkeeper Saves	3
4	Blocked shots	0	10	Clearances	13
605	Total Passes	304
82.0	PassAccuracy %	61.2	18	Fouls	26
3	Corners	4	3	Yellow Cards	3
2	Total Crosses	4	0	Red Cards	0

Whistle & Flags

REF: Marie Durr, AR¹: Amelia Graytock, AR²: Douglas Clayton, 4^TH: Cristian Campo Hernandez.

Shootout

Red Bull II			Union II
v Marks			v Stokes
Mitchell	saved	1	Olivas	saved
Jimenez	saved	2	Harrington	GOAL
Harper	miss	3	Ruf	GOAL
Sanchez	GOAL	4	De Paul	saved
Worth	GOAL	5	Hasan	saved
Cadigan	GOAL	6	Pratt	GOAL
Modelo	Saved	7	Marks	GOAL