A thrilling back and forth contest that featured 19 saves, six cards and two ejections is how Philadelphia Union II concluded a 3,500 mile road trip, bringing home a point after a 1-1 at Loudoun United FC on Saturday night.
Union Academy forward Patrick Bohui collected the club’s lone goal of the evening, scoring his second of 2020 off an assist from future Union homegrown Jack McGlynn. McGlynn set up the goal with a perfectly delivered cross from the corner flag that timed perfectly with Bohui’s header to make it 1-0 just 10 minutes into the contest.
Union II gained another advantage three minutes later as Loudoun United FC defender Adam Lundegard was shown a second yellow card and sent off for a tackle on Nathan Harriel. Despite the disadvantage the hosts battled on and forced a key stop from Union goalkeeper Matt Freese at point blank range in the 17th minute. The first half continued with both sides trading chances as Freese turned away a deadly cross that looked on frame and was quickly followed up by McGlynn finding Danny Flores at the top of the 18-yard-box only to see the post deny the upper 90 goal.
That miss Union II chance gave hope to Loudoun United as they found an equalizer in the 42nd minute. Kairou Amoustapha found space inside the box and tried to score but was denied by Freese only to see the rebound fall back to the forward who made the most of the second chance to send the match to the halftime break tied at a goal each.
After instructions from Interim Head Coach Marlon LeBlanc, Union II turned up the pressure and the offense in the final 45 minutes with 20 shots and 10 on frame. It didn’t take long for the offense to come alive as the young trio of Paxten Aaronson, Flores and McGlynn teamed up with a scoring chance that saw Loudon’s 6’9” goalkeeper Simon Lefebvre make the save. Another scoring chance came in the 55th minute from second-half substitute Brandan Craig who riffled a free kick from the 25-yards-out only to be stopped by a diving effort.
Union II continued to press the three-manned defense and forced a turnover in the 64th minute as Axel Picazo intercepted a pass 20 yards in front of the Loudoun net. Picazo quickly found Bohui on the run but the forward’s try was turned aside.
The two sides traded chances until the final whistle as was escalated when Loudoun’s Michael Gamble was sent off for violent conduct late in stoppage time but neither side would concede.
Philadelphia Union II will face off against Loudoun United FC once more in a rematch on Wednesday, September 16. Kick off from Subaru Park is set for 7:30 p.m. with the contest to be broadcast on ESPN+.
