Philadelphia Union II saw its preseason winning streak come to an end Saturday afternoon as they fell to USL League One side Richmond Kickers, 4-0.
“When you play against professionals you get punished for your mistakes and we certainly got punished for our mistakes,” Philadelphia Union II Head Coach Marlon LeBlanc said. “I would have been happy getting to halftime down 1-0 down but they scored two in the last five minutes and the game changed. The second half we did much better but they caught us with one ball behind. There were some good defending moments but I think our young guys learned a lot today as there were some mistakes in the first three games that a more mature and professional squad took advantage of. I think the big thing is that now we have to learn from this because they can serve as building blocks as we move forward.”
Facing off against professional competition for the first time in 2021, Union II found itself behind early as the Kickers opened the scoring in the sixth minute. Richmond began the build up by forcing a Union turnover and quickly attacking the defense with a long ball over the defense that was finished off by Jonathan Bolanos.
Union II made adjustments after an offsides flag almost doubled the Kickers’ lead in the 19th minute as the club’s young core settled into the contest. The Boys in Blue nearly bagged a goal off a 20th-minute corner but Dante Huckaby’s shot was wide of frame along with a free kick attempt by the defender six minutes later. Another strong chance saw a block from midfielder Anthony Ramirez spark a counter from Caden Stafford but the USL side held strong.
The match turned late in the first half as Richmond made it 2-0 off a set piece chance in the 39th minute. Zaca Moran provided the corner kick service as Juan Paublo Monticelli connected on a headed effort. Just before the halftime whistle the Kickers added another from Emiliano Terzaghi.
The final 45 minutes saw limited chances by both sides with Union II nearly scoring off a Ramirez free kick in the 62nd minute but saw his shot saved by the keeper. Richmond on the other hand converted for the final tally as Stanley Alves scored in the 76th.
Philadelphia Union II continues its preseason friendlies with road contests against former USL Championship rivals in April. The road trip begins at Loudoun United FC on Saturday, April 3rd.
SCORING SUMMARY
RIC – Jonathan Bolanos 6’
RIC – Juan Paublo Monticelli (Zaca Moran) 39’
RIC – Emiliano Terzaghi (Bolanos) 44’
RIC – Stanley Alves (Terzaghi) 76’
DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY
RIC – Emiliano Terzaghi (Yellow Card) 51’
LINEUPS
Philadelphia Union II: Trialist GK (Mitchell Budler 72’); Anton Sorenson (Jackson Gilman 58’, Sorenson 73’), Dante Huckaby, Mani Diop (Samuel Jones 46’), Jackson Gilman (Ian Abbey 45’); Diego Lopez, Sean Bettenhausen, Jack Jasinski, Anthony Ramirez; Caden Stafford (Shanyder Boregelin), Trialist (Jake Spadafora 73’).
Richmond Kickers First Half (Alphabetical): Austin Aviza, Ian Antley, Jonathan Bolanos, Matt Bolduc, Jalen Crisler, Victor Falck, Hernan Gonzalez, Ivan Magalhaes, Jual Pablo Monticelli, Zaca Moran, Emiliano Terzaghi.
Richmond Kickers Second Half (Alphabetical): Austin Causey, Stanley Alves, Ian Antley, Nathan Aune, Chris Cole, Victor Falck (Max Lane 68’), Ivan Magalhaes, Zaca Moran, Luke Pavone, Emiliano Terzaghi, Cameron Vickers.
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