Union II was back at Subaru Park this weekend for a Sunday evening matchup against FC Cincinnati 2, which ended in a 2-1 loss for the home team.
The visitors took the lead early – University of Pennsylvania graduate Ben Stitz scored in the 10th minute, setting the pace.
Philadelphia didn’t back down, instead firing shots at Cincinnati 2’s keeper until equalizing with a goal of their own. The fierce attack ensued when CJ Olney received a pass from Jeremy Rafanello in the 12th minute, taking a pair of shots that were both saved by keeper Paul Walters. David Vazquez earned an opportunity in the 15th minute from another Rafanello feed, but Walters made another save. The trio continued their offensive push with a through ball from Vazquez to Olney, but it was ruled offsides.
The Boys in Blue remained relentless and it paid off – in the 17th minute, Stefan Stojanovic received a Vazquez through ball to the center of the box, driving towards Walters and powering it past him to make the score 1-1. With the goal, Stojanovic, the forward who served as the team’s captain, boosted his season goal total to eight.
His goal was the last Union II would see on Sunday, as they were unable to find the back of the net through the remainder of the first half and the entire second half. The score stayed knotted until the 47th minute when Cincinnati 2’s Malik Pinto broke through Philadelphia’s back line to score.
The 2-1 final marked the first loss that the Philadelphia side had earned in 7 contests. Union II will be on the road next weekend to take on Huntsville City. Tune in with MLS Season Pass on Apple TV to watch the next generation of Union talent continue their battle through August.
