Philadelphia Union II opened its 2026 MLS NEXT Pro campaign in winning fashion, knocking off Toronto FC II by a 1-0 margin at Subaru Park on Saturday afternoon.
16-year-old forward Malik Jakupovic provided the game's lone goal with a blast from the top of the box in the eighth minute.
The match saw the first-ever Union II starts for Oliver Pratt and Academy amateurs Isaiah Mendoza and John Ruff while fellow Union Academy members Matheus De Paula, Theo Reed, Nehan Hasan and Lennon Harrington each saw their MLS NEXT Pro action.
Union II continues its three-game homestand to begin the season next weekend as they host FC Cincinnati 2 on Sunday, March 8th. Kick off from Subaru Park is set for 3PM with coverage on MLSNEXTPro.com and One Football.
How The Match Unfolded
Lineup notes
Head Coach Ryan Richter's first lineup of 2026 saw three players earn their Union II debut mixed alongside MLS NEXT Pro veterans. Union first team goalkeeper George Marks got his first action of the year between the sticks behind a backline of Jordan Griffin, Kaiden Moore, team captain Rafael Uzcategui and newcomer Oliver Pratt. The middle of the pitch saw the Academy amateur debut of Isaiah Mendoza alongside Oscar Benitez while Kellan LeBlanc and Willyam Ferreira were the playmaking midfielders. The front line was led by breakout youngester Malik Jakupovic alongside the amateur debut of Union Academy forward John Ruf.
4', Early chance for Union II | Union II were eager to put their stamp on the match from the jump with a free kick opportunity nearly leading to the opening goal. Kellan LeBlanc floated in a left-footed volley into the six yard box that the keeper failed to punch away. The mad scramble in the box saw a brief chance for Pratt but his effort was blocked.
8', Jakupovic gets the first goal of 2026 | After making his first team debut on a short-term callup on Thursday, Malik Jakupovic got off to a flying start in league play with a blast in the eighth minute to put Union II ahead. The sequence began when Jordan Griffin whipped in a cross that was partially cleared by Toronto. The clearance glanced off the boot of John Ruf with it falling right into the path of Jakupovic. Never one shy to have a go on goal, the 16-year-old took a blast at the top of the box that flew past the keeper.
15', Big Block from the Captain | The Canadian side sought a quick response and nearly had it without the quick step of the Union II captain. A threaded ball over the defense led Toronto's Elias Khodri into the box and as he went for a finish at the near post was blocked by the sliding effort of Uzcategui.
Halftime | After the early chances from both sides, the first half would remain unchanged through 45 minutes with just the one goal scored in favor of the hosts.
55', Big Save from Marks | The Young Reds almost found an equalizer from a familiar face for Philly fans as Union Academy graduate Jackson Gilman got possession off a half clearance from the Union II defense and unleashed a shot from 30 yards out. Looking to potentially sneak it under the crossbar, Union keeper George Marks parried it away.
57', Trio of debuts | After the Union defense stood strong off a Toronto FC II corner, Head Coach Ryan Richter made three changes that resulted in team debuts. MLS center back Finn Sundstrom replaced Kaidan Moore on the backline while Academy amateurs Matheus De Paula and Nehan Hasan came in for Isaiah Mendoza and John Ruf.
70', Union nearly double their lead | Philly's pressure nearly saw led to the squad extending its lead with 20 minutes left. Hasan provided the pressure on a TFCII defender that got the ball to Jakupovic and able to jump start a counter attack. Forcing the defender to commit to him, he laid it off for LeBlanc on the left side of the box but goalkeeper Zakaria Nakhly made the low save.
72', Union II subsitution | Another debut was earned late in the second half with Academy amateur Theo Reed on for Willyam Ferreira.
80', Reed nearly makes it 2-0 | As Toronto committed numbers into the attack, it left space for Union II to race into and it nearly led to a debut goal for Reed. After withstanding a lengthy build up from the Young Reds, the ball got to the feet of LeBlanc who shot a ball to the center stripe. Reed battled his marker and then sprinted past him with the fresh legs only to see his low shot saved by the keeper.
83', Big save by Marks | After the chance by the Union, Toronto was right back on the attack with Philly goalkeeper George Marks coming up huge with a reaction save. With an attack up the right side, a cutting pass just got past a sliding attempt by a Union defender and presented Toronto sub Kervon Kerr the chance for the redirection goal. The ball flicked off his boot but Marks was off his line to keep the 1-0 lead.
85', Final Union II change | The final change by Head Coach Ryan Richter was another debut for an Academy amateur as Lennon Harrington came in as a defensive midfielder in place of Kellan LeBlanc.
