Philadelphia Union II faced off against Chicago Fire FC II on Sunday evening at SeatGeek Stadium.
In the first half, both sides came out evenly matched, moving the ball with pace along each half of the field. In the eighth minute, goalkeeper Holden Trent made a jumping save on Chicago’s free kick outside the box to keep the score level. Union II’s attack stayed mobile in the final third with a shot from forward Chris Donovan flying just right of the goal early in the ninth minute.
In a dashing run, forward Missael Rodríguez took the ball off the touch of defender Gino Portella, breaking the backline defense and putting Chicago up 1-0 in the thirteenth minute. In the 22nd minute, a free kick from defender Juan Castillo dropped right on the feet of forward Richard Odada in front of goal, but Chicago keeper Spencer Richey made the save. Right before the half, goalkeeper Holden Trent made a crucial one v. one save to keep the Union at a 1-0 deficit.
In the 43rd minute, Chicago had an opportunity to double their lead with a free kick just off the eighteen yard line, but the ball soared high. Union II continued to generate many goal-scoring opportunities throughout the first half for the equalizer, ultimately finding no luck.
Minutes into the second half, midfielder David Vazquez sent the ball forward to forward Chris Donovan whose shot rolled just wide of the goal. Defender Anton Sorenson made a critical save off a cross in the box from Chicago winger Noeh Hernandez to keep the score 1-0. In the 71st minute, a penalty kick was awarded to Union II with homegrown defender Brandan Craig leveling the score 1-1. Forward Nelson Pierre sent a cross into the box to find the feet of midfielder David Vazquez wide open on the back post, putting the Union II up 2-1 in the 81st minute. Though the action continued for both sides, Union II came away with the 2-1 comeback win.
Philadelphia Union II return home on Sunday, April 23 (2:00 p.m. ET / Apple TV) to play Toronto FC II at Subaru Park.
