Homegrown CJ Olney delivered an 86th minute game winner to give Philadelphia Union II its first-ever MLS NEXT Pro Playoff victory via a 1-0 margin over New York City FC II.
Union II’s first-ever home playoff match saw nine Union Academy products and students in the first 11 with five MLS homegrowns. Playing in front of its largest crowd of the season at Subaru Park, the youngest team in MLS NEXT Pro fed off that energy that proved the difference as extra time loomed on the Eastern Conference Quarterfinal. Neil Pierre provided the big assist as he sent a booming cross into the attacking third to Olney for a one-time rocket that crashed off the crossbar and into the net.
Philadelphia Union II now waits for Tuesday afternoon as they will find out their opponent via another MLS NEXT Pro Pick-Your-Own-Opponent Show. The match will take place between Friday, October 25th and Sunday, October 27th and will be hosted at Subaru Park.
Early in the match the Boys in Blue forced a turnover in the middle of the pitch which sent Cavan Sullivan onto a counter attack. The 15-year-old sent a leading pass into the box for Markus Anderson who went for the cutback pass to the homegrown at the top of the box for a scoring chance but saw it blocked by the defense.
New York City FC II got its first scoring attempt in the 11th minute as leading scorer Taylor Calheira gained possession in the offensive third and flicked a centering pass to Jonathan Jimenez. With Neil Pierre pressing hard to not allow a shot, the forward returned the ball to a crashing Calheira who ripped a tight angled shot but was blocked by Carlos Rojas’ sliding effort.
The Union’s direct style nearly netted the opening goal at the quarter hour mark as MLS NEXT Pro Best XI selection Frankie Westfield and Sullivan combined on the left side of the attack before the defender laced a crossed. David Vazquez was the target at the back post but the shadows caused confusion for both sides to prevent a shot on frame. Vazquez got off an attempt a minute later as he took a hard pass from Sullivan and ripped a shot that beat the keeper but went over the crossbar.
The ball did make its way into the back of the net in the 18th minute as Westfield and Sullivan combined for a finish however the goal was disallowed with the Union II Vice Captain called offside by half a step.
Both sides continued to seek the opening goal in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinal with long spells of possession from the visitors while Union II opted for a direct attack. That style for the Union saw Anderson again presented with a chance to score just after the half hour mark with a right-footed blast off the volley that went screaming into the stands as he missed by inches. Five minutes later with NYCFC II pressed forward for a corner attempt, Westfield won his aerial duel at the front post and headed it forward to Sullivan for a counter attack. With a 2v2 race at the center stripe, the midfielder nearly flipped the field to a wide open Olney on the right side but saw his curled pass collide with a stretched out defender to deny the ball.
Set pieces nearly net the Boys in Blue a goal like it has much of the season as Olney attempted a free kick from near the corner flag that connected with Westfield at the near post but went over the bar.
New York City dominated the first half possession but really didn’t produce many scoring chances but were left dismayed in the 43rd minute with an incredible reaction save from Andrew Rick. Turning up the tempo a little bit, New York City floated a cross into the box the was met with a diving header from Calheira inside the six. The flying header was full of power but the Union’s 18-year-old shot stopper pushed it aside to keep the match deadlocked.
The second half started with a rocket off the foot of Vazquez as he forced a flying save in the air from NYC’s Alex Rando to keep it 0-0. A few minutes later it was an attack back up the left side as Olney sliced his way into the box before seeing a right-footed curler miss the mark.
Head Coach Marlon LeBlanc made his first change of the evening in the 63rd minute with fresh legs atop the attack as Sal Olivas replaced Davis. A few minutes later the the visitors matched the hosts in goals disallowed as Calheira converted 1v1 at the top of the box but was offside. The play was a wakeup call for the young side chasing its first ever MLS NEXT Pro playoff victory and they quickly went to work looking to break the deadlock. The 68th minute saw the chains rattle on that lock as Anderson continued to get in strong scoring positions. Vazquez began the latest chance with a forward pass on the left side to Olney that had the defense scrambling to find a man. As he raced toward goal he ripped a perfectly weighted cross to the Union forward for a one timer that was headed for the back of the net only to be stopped by a diving effort from Rando. The rebound fell to Sullivan as he continued his run and with the keeper racing to prevent a tap in, the 15-year-old hit it back to Anderson. Presented with another opportunity to score the keeper got some help from his defense who protected the goal line.
As the Union kept their rivals under pressure for long stretches of the second half, New York City threw it back in quick but hard punches of their own. Like in the first half by Union II, NYC launched a 4v2 attack against a set piece offense but Olney made the full field sprint to delivered a key tackle as Calheira aimed for a shot.
The tackle was crucial as the next Union II attack saw the game winning strike. Neil Pierre started off the remarkable play with a timed tackle against a NYCFC forward and then dribbled forward toward the center stripe. Picking his head up, the 17-year-old center back hit a pin point diagonal ball to Olney on the left side. Racing into the box, the midfielder hit a rocket that smashed off the crossbar and into the back of the net for the historic victory.
