Photo courtesy Philadelphia Union II Communications

A goal and an assist from Stas Korzeniowski saw Philadelphia Union II complete a comeback victory on the road over CT United FC. The hosts struck first from Cauã Paixão in the 19th minute, and the Boys in Blue answered with a first-half equalizer from Eddy Davis in the 37th and the go-ahead goal through Korzeniowski 62nd in the second half.

In advance

Union II played away in Connecticut less than 24 hours after the Union itself played away in Columbus. No last-minute reinforcements from the first team could be available. And the Academy U18s were away in Frisco, TX at the MLS Next Flex tournament from Thursday, April 23^rd, through Sunday, April 26^th. MLSNEXT Flex provides qualification for MLS NEXT Cup (the championships) in June. These two circumstances left head coach Ryan Richter’s side with a  bench of six, but Union II is accustomed to being short-handed.

Homegrown striker Eddy Davis made his first start of the season after 60 days recovering from an injury.

CT United had beaten Philadelphia in Chester, March 15^th, 2026, 2-1, rallying from an initial 1-0 deficit. It was one of their two wins of the season so far. They are an independent expansion side based in Bridgeport, CT. But while their own stadium is still being built, their home games are split between the soccer stadiums of Yale University in New Haven and the University of Connecticut in Storrs. This match was played in Storrs.

Despite 2026 being Connecticut’s first season in MLS NEXT Pro, the expansion side’s academy began playing in MLS Next competitions in 2024. The Coywolves called up two of their U16 players for this contest, Niko Koloniaris and Joshua Nicolas.

First half

Connecticut opened the scoring in the 19^th minute by attacking on the break following a Union free kick. Forward Cauã Paixão received the ball from midfielder Alex Monis and dribbled it around goalkeeper Pierce Holbrook, who was left on his own against two attackers. Union II caught the hosts offside five times prior to the goal.

Holbrook had multiple saves throughout the rest of the half to keep Connecticut at bay, but the majority of the half can be best summarized as a back-and-forth with neither side confidently holding pressure over the other.

Eddy Davis scored his first goal of the season in the 37^th minute  to equalize the match. His shot came from the top of the box after his strike partner, Stas Korzeniowski, played it in his direction.

The Boys in Blue found the front foot after the goal but couldn’t put the ball back in the net.

Second half

Neither side made changes at the break.

In the 62^nd minute, Stas Korzeniowski decided it was time for a goal of his own, and after getting the ball from Mamoutou Berthe, he dribbled the ball down the sideline and into the box before putting it in the next. Korzeniowski beat four players on the dribble before scoring.

Sal Olivas and Nehan Hasan entered for Kellan LeBlanc and Willyam Ferreira immediately afterwards . Both entered as like-for-like changes in the attacking midfield for Kellan LeBlanc and Willyam Ferreira.

Connecticut’s Jeremy Medranda fouled Eddy Davis on the break on what appeared to be a denial of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity, given Davis’ being through on goal, but head official Shaye Lane only issued a yellow card. Ryan Richter received a yellow card and a talking to for his protests about the decisions. The hosts made three changes after the restart.

Oscar Benitez entered for Eddy Davis in the 76^th minute. The change moved Matheus De Paula to the attacking midfield line and pushed Sal Olivas up top.

Former Union Academy and West Chester United midfielder Dylan Lacy came in for the hosts in the 79^th minute in place of Medranda.

Philadelphia continued to hold the attacking pressure, but spent the last ten minutes of the half killing time. Gio Sequera had a heroic defensive effort right before the final whistle.

Next match

Union II will next play seven days after the CT United match, at home at 3:00 PM Sunday, May 3^rd, hosting Red Bull New York II.

Three points, plus one

1. Union II went into the match with the third fewest goals scored in the MLS NEXT Pro Eastern Conference.
2. Stas Korzeniowski has three goals in two MLS NEXT Pro matches.
3. Union II made it through an intensely physical match without getting any yellow cards issued to field players.
4. The Union Academy Under-18s qualified for the MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs on Sunday by topping their group at MLS NEXT Flex. Academy and USYNT goalkeeper Matthew White saved four penalties in a shootout to secure the victory.

 B O X S C O R E

Lineups

Philadelphia (4-2-2-2, L-R). Head coach Ryan Richter. 1^st – 3+1; U II – 7+3; AA – 1+2. Starters’ Ave Age = 19.7

Starters: Pierce Holbrook; Jordan Griffin, Rafael Uzcategui, Finn Sundstrom, Gio Sequera; Matheus De Paula, Mamoutou Berthe; Willyam Ferreira, (Sal Olivas— 63’), Kellan LeBlanc (Nehan Hasan— 63’); Stas Korzeniowski, Eddy Davis (Oscar Benitez— 76’).

Holbrook	Griffin	Uzcategui	Sundstrom	Sequera	DePaula
U II	U II	U II	1st	U II	AA
23.0	17.5	21.5	19.4	20.2	17.5
Berthe	Ferreira	LeBlanc	Korzeniowski	Davis
U II	UII	U II	1st	1st
19.3	18.1	18.1	23.2	19.9

Substitutes: Charli Lorenz; Kaiden Moore, Oliver Pratt, Oscar Benitez, Nehan Hasan, Sal Olivas.

Lorenz	Pratt	Moore	Benitez	Hasan	Olivas
AA	U II	U II	U II	AA	1st
17.?	22.5	18.5	21.9	17.8	19.8

CT United (4-3-3). Head coach Shavar Thomas. Squad average age per Transfermarkt = 22.6.

Starters: Anthony Ramos; Jeremy Medranda (Dylan Lacy— 79’), Lukas Kamrath, Richard Hauth (Rickson van Hees— 67’), Reyniel Perdomo, Alex Monis, Niko Koloniaris (Daniel D’Ippolito— 79’), Ernesto Gomez, Barnabás Tanyi (Andre Applewhaite— 67’), Cauã Paixão (Hivan Kouonang— 67’), Laurie Goddard

Unused substitutes: Christian Rodriguez, Joshua Nicolas

Goals

CTU: Paixão—19’

UII: Davis— 37’ (Korzeniowski)

UII: Korzeniowski— 63’ (Berthe)

Yellow Cards

CTU: Medranda—65’

Whistle & Flags:

REF: Shaye Lane, AR1: Alex Adkins, AR2: William Bolsen, 4TH: Victor Borges

Stats

CTU	Statistic	U II	CTU	Statistic	U II
15	Shots	11	5	Offsides	0
5	Shots on goal	3	1	Goalkeeper Saves	4
6	Blocked shots	1	10	Clearances	6
321	Total Passes	359
73.8	Pass Accuracy %	75.8	22	Fouls	16
2	Corners	3	1	Yellow Cards	0
6	Total Crosses	7	0	Red Cards	0