Philadelphia Union II concluded its August road trip with a 2-0 loss to Chicago Fire FC II on Friday night.
The Windy City showdown pitted the best offense in the Eastern Conference against the league's best defense and it was the homeside the emerged victorious courtesy of a standout performance from their shot stopper. Union II dominated much of the scoring chances but the hosts saw goalkeeper David Molenda make seven saves to keep the Chicago in the contest.
Philadelphia Union II returns to Subaru Park as they face off against Toronto FC II on Wednesday, August 20th. Kick off from Chester is set for 7PM with tickets available for purchase by clicking here.
How The Match Unfolded
Playing on the road 24 hours before the first team, Head Coach Ryan Richter had to rely on a limited amount of young players with only 16 players making the trip to the Windy City. With the options, Richter rewarded a pair of midfielders with their first ever Union II starts with 16-year-old Willyam Ferraira into the lineup years old while Noah Probst was into the starting XI after earning his club debut earlier in the week. Goalkeeper Pierce Holbrook was between the sticks leading a backline that was comprised of Jordan Griffin, Isaiah LeFlore, Rafael Uzcátegui and Giovanny Sequera. Veterans Markus Anderson and Nick Pariano rounded out the midfield while Sal Olivas was combined with Stas Korzeniowski to lead the front line.
17', Philly push for the opener | Both sides took the first 15 minutes to settle into the Eastern Conference clash with Union II delivering the first scoring chances. After a tremendous display of dribbling skill by Markus Anderson, the forward slid a pass across the box to Willyam Ferreira for a one-timer that forced a reaction save by the keeper. The rebound fell right to Sal Olivas for a quick shot by the Fire defense quickly prevented the shot from reach the net.
19', Philly push for the opener | A few moments later Union II were back onto the attack with a threaded pass from the midfield springing Giovanny Sequera into space on the right wing. The Venezuelan shot a hard centering pass on the grass to Korzeniowski but the keeper beat him to the ball to prevent the one-touch finish.
27', Philly push for the opener | Philly's defense pressure awarded them a quick scoring chance before the half hour mark with Olivas hitting a pass to Jordan Griffin who beat his man 1on1 but saw his left-footed shot saved with a diving effort.
43', One final push before the half | Looking to avoid a fourth-straight half without a goal, Union II earned a dangerou free kick chance with Nick Pariano unleashing a curler from 20-yards out that required a punch from the keeper as the last second.
53', Holbrook comes up clutch | The homeside came out the locker room looking to bring alive their potent attack after getting just one shot on target in the opening half. They nearly broke through if not for tremendous reactions from Pierce Holbrook. Vitaliy Hlyut cut inside the box to get off a shot but the Union shot stopper make the left handed stop but the rebound quickly dribbled to the far post where Holbrook make the kick save to deny Dylan Borso.
69', Union II freshen the attack | With 20 minutes left, Union II turned to a pair of clinical finishers to refresh the front line as Eddy Davis III and Malik Jakupovic replaced Korzeniowski and Olivas.
71', Subs nearly make instant impact | The fresh legs were push to use not long after taking to the pitch as Davis III quickly led a 3v2 chance with a slotted pass to Anderson for a likely goal but goalkeeper David Molenda continud to deny the Boys in Blue.
80', Chicago makes it 1-0 | The homeside had an impact substitute of their own with David Tchétchao Karo pouncing on a blocked shot for a quick one timer that snuck inside the post for his first professional goal that gave Chicago the lead.
84', Soria denied the equalizer | Like they've done all season, Union II continued to battle and nearly knotted up the match as Kellan LeBlanc shot a cross through the defense that connected with an unmarked Leandro Soria. The forward teed it up perfectly but again Molenda was able to make the reaction save, his seventh of the night.
86', Chicago doubles the lead | The league's top offense put the match away shortly after Soria's stopped shot as Claudio Cassano found the back of the net after his initial shot was saved by Holbrook but came right back to the MLS NEXT Pro MVP favorite for a rebound effort that he put home.
