Philadelphia Union II is back in action on Wednesday evening as the Boys in Blue battle rivals New York Red Bulls II. Don’t miss the action from Subaru Park with the game broadcast on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
Union II has been off the past two weeks to allow its younger players to participate at MLS NEXT Cup which saw both the U17s and U16s make a run to the semifinals. Union II center back Neil Pierre played every minute of the tournament alongside the next wave of Union II prospects in Jamir Johnson, Kellen LeBlanc, Diego Rocio and Anisse Saidi. Head Coach Marlon LeBlanc’s side regained momentum right before the break, going on the road to pick up a 3-0 win over Crown Legacy back on June 13th. Leandro Soria opened the scoring for the Boys in Blue as he came off the bench and scored his first MLS NEXT Pro goal in the 65th minute. Captains Kyle Tucker and Frankie Westfield connected off a corner kick for the Union Academy graduate’s third of the season to double the visitor’s advantage. CJ Olney right on the back of his time with the United States U-19 Youth National Team continued his tremendous 2024 campaign with his forth goal of the season with a finish in stoppage time.
Philly’s roster could look quite different for Wednesday night’s showdown with the second team playing ahead of the Union’s trip to CF Montreal this weekend. With numerous starters away for international competition, LeBlanc’s options could be limited as the organization looks to keep the group rested ahead of the trip to Canada. One known change will be in goal, with Mike Sheridan expected to start between the posts for Union II with Andrew Rick suspended after receiving a second yellow late in the match at Crown Legacy. Rick and Union II midfielder CJ Olney both made their MLS debuts this past weekend too, putting in doubt whether the club’s leader in assists will play for the second team as well.
Union II and Red Bulls II will meet for the third and final time of the regular season on Wednesday night, with the Philly side currently unbeaten against the side from New Jersey. The two teams played to a 1-1 draw at Subaru Park in April, with the Boys in Blue emerging victorious from the shootout via a 4-2 margin. In May, the battle shifted to New Jersey where the Union offense came alive with braces from both David Vazquez and Markus Anderson to lead the visiting side to a 5-1 win.
Since their meeting with Union II, New York Red Bulls II have won just once since then with it being a narrow 2-1 home victory over Toronto FC II on June 9th. Like Union II, the side has been on break due to MLS NEXT Cup but right before their bye weeks the suffered a 1-0 road loss to New England Revolution II. Union II currently sits atop the Eastern Conference table with 29 points from 13 games while Red Bulls II finds itself tied for seventh with 20 points through 14 contests.
