Philadelphia Union II faced off against Orlando City B in their 2023 MLS NEXT Pro season opener, resulting in a 3-1 loss on Sunday afternoon at Subaru Park.
In the first half, Orlando jumped on the board in the fifth minute when defender Abdi Salim headed home a cross from midfielder Alejandro Grandados. In the 15th minute, Union II goalkeeper Andrew Rick came up with a tough save to keep the score at 1-0. Orlando doubled the lead in the 17th minute when forward Cristofer Acuña scored off a breakaway.
The Union cut Orlando’s lead in half in the 30th minute when forward Nelson Pierre found midfielder Christopher Olney Jr. who buried the Union’s opener.
In the second half, Union II goalkeeper Andrew Rick made another great save in the 61st minute, but Orlando forward Moises Tablante jumped on a rebound to double the lead at 3-1. In the 68th minute, the Union had a cross cleared off the line with forward Stefan Stojanovic searching for the second goal.
Union II will return to Subaru Park on Sunday, April 2nd, where they will host Inter Miami II (3:00 p.m. ET).
