Philadelphia Union II is back home this weekend as they host defending MLS NEXT Pro Champions Columbus Crew 2 at Subaru Park on Sunday afternoon. Catch the contest with MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
The Boys in Blue come into the Sunday showdown after grabbing a road point at Eastern Conference leaders Crown Legacy FC. Union II's youthful energy was on display early with the squad jumping out to a 2-0 lead in North Carolina behind Stefan Stojanovic's fourth goal of 2023 and a Gino Portella set piece goal just before halftime. The contest would head to a shootout however as the hosts battled back in the second half including a game-tying goal in the 90th minute to give momentum that carried into the extra takes from the penalty spot against a much older squad in Crown Legacy FC.
Meanwhile Crew 2 saw its four-game winning streak snapped on Thursday evening via 2-0 road loss to New England Revolution II. During their unbeaten run, Crew 2 were a defensive giant with three consecutive shutouts against Huntsville, Orlando And Cincinnati. That defense has been on display all season with the inaugural league champions leading the lead with only six goals allowed thus far in 2023 between goalkeepers Brady Scott and Stanislav Lapkes.