Philadelphia Union II's youngest players found the back of the net as the squad earned a 2-2 draw but fell in a penalty shootout to Toronto FC II on Wednesday night at Subaru Park.
For the second time this season Kellan LeBlanc found the back of the net against the Canadian side, scoring in the 14th minute to level the match at a goal each after Toronto scored in the third minute. Union Academy amateur Jordan Griffin notched his first MLS NEXT Pro goal just before halftime to send the Boys in Blue into the locker room up but early on the second half the visitors answered on a headed goal of their own. With both sides playing to a draw, the extra league point was awarded in an eight-round penalty kick shootout that saw Toronto prevail by a 8-7 margin.
Philadelphia Union II wraps up August with the finale of their two-game homestand with a battle against New England Revolution II. Kick off for Sunday's match is set for 3PM with tickets available for purchase by clicking here.
How The Match Unfolded
Union II's midweek contest saw a lineup full of first team homegrowns with Nick Pariano, Cavan Sullivan, Sal Olivas and Eddy Davis III getting the start. Pierce Holbrook was between the posts behind a backline that saw just one change due to the yellow card accumlation suspension of Giovanny Sequera. With the Venezuealan unavailable, Isaiah LeFlore started opposite his traditional left back role with Jordan Griffin continuing to start on the left while the center back pairing returned to the usual Neil Pierre and Rafael Uzcategui.
3', Toronto goal | Unlike in the first meeting between the two sides, Toronto FC II were able to break through on the scoreboard with Antone Bossenberry capping off a quick build up three minutes into the match.
14', Union II equalize | After falling behind, the Boys in Blue didn't take long to answer back with Kellan LeBlanc notching his third goal of the season. With a half clearance won in the midfield by Davis III, the homegrown sucked the defense in with a direct attack before hitting a pass out wide to LeBlanc. The midfielder cut to his left for ripping a shot inside the near post to make it an even scoreline.
22', Go-ahead chance saved | Philly were eager to grab the lead and nearly had it after LeFlore received a pass on the right flank in the build up out of the back. The outside back attacked and then threaded the Canadian defense with a pass that sent Davis III 1v1 against the keeper. The homegrown picked out the near post but saw a remarkable reaction stop keep the game tied.
26', Crossbar denies a Pariano missle | Union II continued to keep the Toronto defense pinned on their side of the pitch and turned to a play off the training ground as they went short off a corner. Two passes later it was at the boot's of team captain Nick Pariano who took a dribble to his left before unleashing a rocket from 30 yards out the rang off the crossbar and bounced in front of the line.
31', Off the post | A few minutes later another corner attempt saw a shot from Olivas the beat the keeper but was denied by the far post.
34', Goal line clearance | An errant pass at the back nearly turned disasterious for the Boys in Blue but again it was the captain displaying leadership as he stood near the post off a Toronto FC II corner kick to deny a blasted header from Michael Sullivan.
45', Union II grab the lead! | Bouyed by the strong defense, the young side continued to seek a first half lead before the break and were rewarded on a confident finish from Academy amateur Jordan Griffin. The defender won back possession on the left side of the play and quickly shot a forward pass where Sal Olivas drove into the box. With no space for a shot, the forward laid it off for Cavan Sullivan who saw Griffin inside the box and floated it to him for a header past the keeper.
51', Toronto equalize | Just as the Boys in Blue did to end the half, the Canadian side got their second goal of the evening off a header with Michael Sullivan making the most of his second attempt to score off a corner kick.
58', Big save by Holbrook | Momentum continued to swing in the Canadian's favor and in a 1v1 opportunity Hassan Ayari find an inch of space to rip a shot from the edge of the box but Union II goalkeeper Pierce Holbrook make up with a timely stop to push the shot off the post and keep it level at 2-2.
79', Sullivan stopped | Philly kept pushing and nearly bagged the winner in regulation but saw his effort late stopped by the defense.
Shootout | For the fourth time in 2025 the shootout went at least eight rounds with both sides sending it to the sudden death rounds after scoring every attempt except in the second round where both squads were denied. In the end, it was the Canadian side nabbing the second point as Union II missed on their attempt of the night.
