Philadelphia Union II made it back-to-back three-goal victories, defeating Crown Legacy FC by a 3-0 margin at Subaru Park on Sunday night.
After a scoreless opening half, Union II grabbed the lead in the 76th minute when homegrown CJ Olney's free kick was tucked into the back of net after a collision between Crown Legacy's Nicholas Holliday and Assane Ouedraogo. Less than a minute later the Boys in Blue had doubled their lead with Eddy Davis III notching his first of two assists on the evening with a threaded pass to Stas Korzeniowski for the breakaway finish. Homegrown David Vazquez scored his first goal of the 2025 season in the 86th minute, taking pass from Davis III and tucking it into the back of the net. Goalkeeper Pierce Holbrook notched a shutout in his professional debut as well.
With the result, Union II jumps into fourth place in the Eastern Conference with multiple games in hand. The Boys in Blue continue their pursuit of climbing up the table when they return to action next weekend with a road showdown at Columbus Crew II on Saturday, June 21st. Kick off is set for 3PM ET with coverage on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
For the second match in a row Head Coach Ryan Richter and his staff were limited in their roster selections with many depth pieces participating in the 2025 MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs in Tennessee and the first team playing the night before in a grueling 99 minute contest that saw Union II regular Markus Anderson score the latest goal in regular season history.
Pierce Holbrook made his club debut between the posts against Crown Legacy FC, starting behind a backline that featured Isaiah LeFlore, Neil Pierre, Rafael Uzcategui and Gavin Wetzel, who wore the captain's armband for the contest before departing for the University of Pittsburgh. The midfield saw Leandro Soria and the first team homegrown trio of Nick Pariano, CJ Olney and David Vazquez while the front line was led by Eddy Davis III and Sal Olivas.
4’, Union II nearly convert early | With cool and windy temperatures on the banks of the Delaware River, Union II almost got the strong start they wanted with Eddy Davis III and Sal Olivas combining for an attack inside the opening five minutes. Davis III took possession on the left wing and utilized his pace and ball control to keep possession near the end line before ripping a centering pass into the six for Olivas but keeper Nicholas Holliday made the reaction stop.
15’, Set Piece chance | Philly's first corner kick of the evening nearly turned into the game's opening goal with a dazzling play off the training ground. CJ Olney played it short to David Vazquez before the ball ended up at the feet of Davis III at the top of the box. With Crown Legacy rushing out to close down the opporutnity, the forward unleashed a blast that curled just wide of the post.
45’, Uzcategui off the post | With halftime looming, Union II again had a scoring chance off a corner. Just like their attempt earlier in the half, the Boys in Blue relied on a short corner between Olney and Vazquez to set up a cross from the edge of the 18. Center back Rafael Uzcategui delivered a smashing header that beat the keeper but crashed off the post and forced a reaction clearance from a Crown Legacy defender.
51’, Post denieds Union II again | Philly came out of the break pushing hard for the game's opening goal with a counter attack down the middle of the pitch putting the visiting defense on the back foot. After a blocked cross was stopped by Crown Legacy, Leandro Soria raced into the area for a smashing shot that snuck through mounds of trafffic but left the post ringing.
69’, Union II substitutions | With twenty minutes left in the contest, Union II made their firsts of the night with Stas Korzeniowski and Giovanny Sequera replacing Soria and Olivas.
76’, Union II grab the lead! | Union II's pressure was rewarded with the lead with just over 15 minutes left with Sequera drawing a free kick on the right flank. CJ Olney provided the service with a right-footed volley right to the top of the six. Crown Legacy keeper Nicholas Holliday came off his line to collect it but collided with Assane Ouedraogo
77’, Stas doubles the lead | Less than a minute after the Boys in Blue grabbed the lead they quickly made it 2-0 with a threaded pass from Davis III sending Korzeniowski in behind the defense. With just the keeper to beat, the Penn graduate made quick work with a smooth finish inside the far post.
86’, Vazquez adds another to the scoreline | Philly wasn't done scoring with Davis setting up his second goal of the evening as he picked out David Vazquez for his goal of the 2025 MLS NEXT Pro campaign.
