For the second time in seven days Philadelphia Union II rallied from behind to secure a victory, knocking off Atlanta United FC 2 with a 95th minute goal from CJ Olney.
Union II found itself down at the break after the visitors converted from the penalty spot in the 43rd minute but once again controlled the action in the second half in front of its largest crowd of the season at Subaru Park. Center back Neil Pierre pushed forward to help jump start the game-tying goal with a drive into the box before sending in a centering pass that was blocked in the box. Eddy Davis III won the ball and quickly flicked it back to Cavan Sullivan with the 15-year-hold homegrow smashing a left-footed shot off the post and in.
The game winner came again with more excitement as the homeside mounted one last attack before the final whistle. Team captain Frankie Westfield whipped in a deep cross that was won by substitute Leandro Soria and smashed a centering header along the goal line. Atlanta United FC 2 couldn't clear which presented homegrown CJ Olney to hit home a bouncing shot with his right to seal all three points for Union II.
With the result, Union II have secured a Top 2 finish in the Eastern Conference and will look to grab the top spot in their Decision Day clash at Chicago Fire 2 on Sunday, October 6th. Kick off from the Windy City is set for 1PM with the action on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
Looking to put pressure on FC Cincinnati 2 in their pursuit of the top seed in the Eastern Conference, Union II came out of the gates putting the visiting side under heavy duress. As the clock hit the fourth minute of action, 15-year-old Cavan Sullivan fired the opening shot just wide of the far post on a counter attacking chance. A few minutes later the Union were again in behind the defense with Eddy Davis III beating the backline but with the goalie to beat saw his. touch around he keeper off the mark to prevent a shot on frame.
Atlanta grew into the match after the back to back chances from the Boys in Blue but Philly found the back of the net in the 19th minute only to see it disallowed for offsides. Homegrown CJ Olney delivered a perfectly weighted ball into the box where it connected a sliding effort by Sal Olivas but the assistant referee quickly raised the flag. Four minutes later Olivas was back in the attack as he connected with a header set up by Frankie Westfield but the shot right to the keeper.
The two sides continued to trade half chances before the first official goal came for the visiting side against the run of play. A quick attack into the box saw a block by Westfield but the rebound fell to the feet of Atlanta's Nick Firmino. Olwethu Makhanya went for the tackle and was called for the foul allowing the visitors a penalty kick attempt. Firmino earned it and coverted in the 43rd minute to give Atlanta United 2 the lead going into the half.
The youthful Union II have been one of the most offensively gifted teams in the entire league in the second half and sought to live up to that reputation. Just two minutes into the final half the hosts had Atlanta scrambling as Sal Olivas's attempt from in close forced a diving tip over the crossbar by the keeper. After another attack earned the Boys in Blue a corner kick, homegrown midfielder Nick Pariano unleashed a blast from 20 yards out that just missed the crossbar and ended up in the River End.
While the Union kept pushing for an equalizer, Atlanta United 2 looked to throw Philly's counter attacking style right back at them with a long ball that threaded the back line and sent Ashton Gordon in on goal. Andrew Rick made himself large off the line to force a difficult angle and it proved the difference as the forward went for the upper 90 finish and was off the mark.
With just over 20 minutes left in the contest, Philly turned up the intensity even more with chances forcing difficult stops by defense. The pressure finally broke through against the Georgia side in the 78th minute on a goal from Cavan Sullivan. Center back Neil Pierre jumpstarted the play as he pushed high up the pitch and found himself nearly at the edge of the 18-yard box. Pierre pushed on before hitting a centering cross that bounced into the air but was won by Davis. The Union II forward quicky flicked it back to Sullivan for the one timer with his left that kissed off the post and into the back of the net.
One point wasn't enough for Union II in their regular season finale at Subaru Park as they used that momentum from Sullivan's goal to surge into the final minutes of the match. With six added to the final half, Union II were presented with its first opportunity for a game winning in the 91st minute as Soria earned himself a breakaway. The second half substitute tried to beat the keeper low but goalkeeper Jayden Hibbert made the reaction stop to keep the game knotted at 1-1.
In the 95th minute the Boys in Blue got one more chance to find a winner and delivered. Team captain Frankie Westfield whipped in a deep cross that was won by substitute Leandro Soria and smashed a centering header along the goal line. Atlanta United FC 2 couldn't clear which presented homegrown CJ Olney to hit home a bouncing shot with his right to seal all three points for Union II.
Philadelphia Union II concludes its regular season on the road as they battle Chicago Fire II on MLS NEXT Pro Decision Day on Sunday, October 6th. Kick off from the Windy City is set for 1PM with the action on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
