With three goals in two matches, Philadelphia Union II forward Eddy Davis III has been selected as the latest recipient of the MLS NEXT Pro Player of the Matchweek.
The Union Academy graduate put on a brillant display in front of goal, jumping to second place in the league's race for the Golden Boot with a goal against rivals New York Red Bulls II and then a brace four days later at Toronto FC II.
Davis scored Union II's lone goal against their biggest Eastern Conference rivals on Wednesday afternoon as the Boys in Blue suffered just their third loss of the 2024 campaign. The Boys in Blue bounced back brilliantly over the weekend with four goals in 31 minutes to send a message to the rest of the league that the Eastern Conference Leaders were intent on staying put. Davis scored twice in the opening half and could have had a third as he was a handful for the Canadian defense.
In the eighth minute Sanders Ngabo sprayed a diagonal pass to the left side for Frankie Westfield who took a touch forward before threading the ball to the feet of Olney. The midfield turned and whipped in a cross for Eddy Davis III that beat the keeper but crashed off the post but right to Kyle Tucker for the tap in finish.
Four minutes later Davis III would get on the board with defensive pressure giving Toronto FC II issues. Pressing high up the pitch, a poor pass was intercepted by Vazquez in the offensive third. He shot a pass to the boots of Olney at the top of the box and took the full attention of the scrambling Canadian backline. Seeing space open up, Olney flicked an inside out pass to Davis for the one-timer and he converted for his seventh goal of the 2024 campaign. He'd get his first MLS NEXT Pro brace in the 31st minute as Union II added a fourth. Neil Pierre won possession and punted it forward to Westfield just past the center stripe. Sensing a counter attacking opportunity was on the cards, the left back flicked a pass over the Canadian back line and into the path of Davis III. Watching it bounce twice over his shoulder, the 18-year-old forward converted with a clinical finish from a tight angle to collect the first brace of his MLS NEXT Pro career.
The Eastern Conference leading Union II continues its road trip to start off July as they head back to New Hampshire for another battle with New England Revolution II on Saturday, July 6th. Kick off from Mark. A Oulette Stadium is set for 7PM with the match free to all on MLSNEXTPro.com.
