The Union II continue their MLS NEXT Pro campaign as they welcome high flyers NYCFC II to Subaru Park on Saturday afternoon. Here’s all you need to know heading into the game.
Mandatory Credit: Philadelphia Union, Andrew Zwarych
Union II vs NYCFC II
Last time out, the Philadelphia Union II played in a crazy game against early strugglers Chicago Fire II. The game ended 3-3 after 90 minutes, with the Fire finding a late equalizer to secure a point. The Fire would go on to win the penalty shootout and take the extra point. Another disappointing result for the Union II and it’s now three results in a row where Philly has come away from the game disappointed.
Marlon LeBlanc did what I asked and gave some of the talent he snatched up for Union II and going forward, the Union II looked great. Chris Donovan was Philly’s best player during the game and he looked brilliant, Cole Turner has also played well during his time in the MLS NEXT Pro. However, defensively, the Union II just looks completely lost.
The defensive worries started out when they threw away multiple leads against Inter Miami II to end up drawing that game and eventually winning the penalty shootout. They then lost the following game 1-0 to the Crew II, and then you had last week’s result against a below-average team in Chicago and that was after the Union had a bye week to get everything sorted for the game.
Union II Draw 3-3 With Chicago Fire II, Lose Extra Point on Pens 5-4
With their game being played before the senior team’s trip to Nashville, I’d imagine the first team players made available to Marlon LeBlanc and his side will be very limited, if not any at all will be made available, so I’d imagine you’ll be seeing a similar starting eleven and subs bench to the one that faced Chicago Fire II.
New York City FC II has been on a roll since the MLS NEXT Pro season got underway and their scoring record is extremely impressive. They’ve only lost one game since the start of the season, a 3-1 loss to Toronto FC II, but have a 7-0 win against Inter Miami II on their record.
An interesting point to note, given the fact the Union have gone to an extra point shootout twice already, is the fact that NYCFC II have done the same and actually lost both of their shootouts. The most impressive part about NYCFC II is the fact that they have so many individuals scoring their goals, it isn’t just one player scoring the majority of them, it makes them extremely hard to shut down offensively.
Overall, with how both teams are scoring a lot of goals and have been pretty shaky defensively, I can see this game being a complete goal-fest. I’d love to back the Union II here but I think they’re in a little bit of a rut right now and so I have a feeling NYCFC II will take this one 3-2.
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Mandatory Credit: Philadelphia Union, Andrew Zwarych
