Philadelphia Union II continued play in MLS NEXT Pro with a 2-1 win against Columbus Crew 2 on Sunday night at Subaru Park. With the win, Union II remain in seventh place in the Eastern Conference with 23 points.
Midfielder Paxten Aaronson put the Union II ahead in the first half after Chris Donovan ran up the right side of the field, sliding a pass to Aaronson in the center of the box who slotted in his shot to the bottom right corner of the net. Moments later, defender Nathan Harriel found himself in a one-on-one situation with the Columbus keeper, but his shot headed for the lower center of the net was saved by the keeper’s outstretched leg.
In the second half, Union II’s Cole Turner looked to double the lead for his side, ripping a right footed shot from yards outside the box which hit off the left post in the 55th minute. The Crew’s Parente, eying to level the match in the 60th minute, struck the ball from outside the box but Union II’s Matt Freese made a diving save in the bottom left corner to keep Philadelphia ahead. Columbus would equalize in the 64th minute off of a Fuson header to the top right of the goal.
In stoppage time, Union II substitute Stefan Stojanovic secured three points for Philadelphia and registered his first MLS Next Pro goal off of a world class volley lofted in by Nathan Harriel.
Union II will hit the road to face FC Cincinnati 2 at Mercy Health Training Center on Sunday, August 7th (6:00 p.m. ET / MLSNEXTPro.com).
