Philadelphia Union II fell 5-2 in their inaugural matchup against Huntsville City FC on the road on Saturday evening.
Head Coach Marlon LeBlanc trotted out a new lineup at Joe Davis Stadium, adding two Philadelphia Union Academy players to the starting XI against the Alabama side. The game marked 15-year-old defender Neil Pierre and 17-year-old forward Eddy Davis' first-ever Union II starts.
CJ Olney opened scoring for Philadelphia, earning a 1-0 lead in the 13th minute. David Vazquez passed the ball through the middle of the field with speed, meeting Olney who beat two defenders to bury it past Huntsville’s keeper.
Though they earned the early advantage, it was quickly squandered when Hugo Le Guennec earned a red card in the 25th minute, forcing Union II to play a man down for the remainder of the match.
Huntsville City forward Azaad Liadi and midfielder Kemy Amiche each put a goal on the board in the remainder of the first half, securing a 2-1 lead before the second 45 minutes began.
Union II remained aggressive at the start of the second half battle, equalizing in the 48th minute. It was Pierre who scored for Philadelphia, adding his first goal to the milestone match. His goal came by way of a Frankie Westfield header following a set piece -- Pierre received the pass with a header of his own toward the net.
Union II kept the score knotted until the 64th minute, when Liadi scored his second of what would become three goals on the night. His third came in the 73rd minute. Joey Skinner notched Huntsville City's fifth in the 89th, making the final score 5-2.
Union II will be back at Subaru Park on August 27th to take on New England Revolution II at 6:30 PM.
