For the second-straight match Philadelphia Union II caught fire on the scoresheet, blanking rivals New York City FC II by a 4-1 margin on Wednesday night.
Playing on the road in their first league game in two weeks, Union II showed little rust as they dominated the action on the campus of St. John's. Sal Olivas notched his second goal of the season in the first half, using his pace to chase down a pass from Cavan Sullivan for the opening strike. After the homeside saw a defender sent off late in first half stoppage, Union II racked up three goals in the final 45 minutes with Stas Korzeniowski scoring for the second-straight contest along with captain Nick Pariano. Moments after New York City FC II found the back of the net, substitute Giovanny Sequera responded quickly for his first professional goal.
With the result, Union II continues its unbeaten season with 10 points and one of the last three unbeaten teams in the league. Union II looks to extend that streak when they return to Subaru Park next week with a showdown against Columbus Crew 2 on Sunday, May 11th. Tickets for the Eastern Conference Final rematch can be purchased online by clicking here.
How The Match Unfolded
Head Coach Ryan Richter had a fully stocked lineup at his disposal after a two week break in league action, making just one change from the group that knocked off Atlanta United 2 by a 5-1 margin. Goalkeeper Andrew Rick returned to the XI behind a backline that featured Gavin Wetzel, Neil Pierre, Rafael Uzcátegui and Isaiah LeFlore. The midfield was an all homegrown affair with captain Nick Pariano paired up with CJ Olney, David Vazquez and Cavan Sullivan. The front line was led at the opening whistle by Sal Olivas and Stas Korzeniowski, who scored his first professional goal last time out.
20', Olivas opens the scoring | Union II’s gameplan from the opening whistle was to go direct and attack the New York backline and the plan resulted in the opening goal for the Boys in Blue. Neil Pierre timed his tackle perfectly to regain possession and quickly shot a pass just over the center stripe to Cavan Sullivan. The 15-year-old looked up quickly and saw the NYCFC II backline pressed way too high and threaded a pass perfectly for Sal Olivas to showcase his pace. The forward was in clean air with a blast around the keeper for his second goal of the 2025 campaign.
45’, Rick keeps the first half lead | Union II dominated the first 45 minutes and saw chances to add to its lead come up off target. The first came via a set piece from Vazquez as he connected with a smashing header from Uzcátegui that went wide. Moments later Sullivan walked a tight rope to set up a cutting cross from the endline to Korzeniowski for a volley finish that went off the mark and then Sullivan’s shot inside the six went wide of the post. NYCFC had just one scoring chance in the first half and it required a reaction save from the Union goalkeeper as he made a near post stop to deny a laser from Julien Lacher.
45+’, Union gain a man advantage | The Eastern Conference clash between the two rivals showed itself late in the first half with NYCFCII’s defender Jonathan Lopez being shown a straight red card for a clash with the goalscoring Olivas.
59’, Stas doubles Union II's lead | Philly didn't wait long to double its advantage on the scoreboard with forward Stas Korzeniowski scoring for the second-straight match. The 2024 MLS SuperDraft selection was in the right place at the right time for the goal as Olivas saw a pair of effects denied by the home defense before the rebound fell right to the feet of Korzeniowski for goal from short distance.
73’, Pariano makes it 3 from the spot | The Boys in Blue pushed the lead to three shortly after adding to their scoreline with David Vazquez getting taken down in the penalty area and the referee quickly pointing to the spot. Team captain Nick Pariano stepped up from the spot and delivered the smooth finish as the keeper went the wrong direction and the lead went to 3-0 for Union II.
87’, New York City FC II snaps clean sheet bid | Despite the scoreboard, New York City FC II kept pushing until the final whistle and their persistance paid off in the form of a goal with three minutes left in regulation as Eligio Guarino snuck it past Rick.
88’, Sequera scores first professional goal | It was deja vu for the Boys in Blue as they responded in quick succession with another direct attack to re-establish their three-goal lead. Kellan LeBlanc played a perfectly weighted pass to connect with Giovanny Sequera's long distance run from one end of the pitch to the other. The Venezualan midfielder cut to his right with a defender at his hip to get some space and then rifled a blast into the upper netting for his first professional goal.
