It was an exciting night at Subaru Park as Union II topped Columbus Crew 2 in a shootout, securing two points that propelled them back to the top of the table. With 43 points, Philadelphia Union is now tied for first in the Eastern Conference with FC Cincinnati 2, while Columbus Crew 2 sits at third with 40.
The match started off slow for both sides, but 14-year-old Cavan Sullivan created energy with a stunning golazo from distance in the 29th minute. He followed through on a rebound off a corner, striking the ball to the top left of the goal with ease for a 1-0 lead for Philadelphia.
Intensity ramped from there, and though Union II entered halftime ahead, Columbus found an equalizer from Brent Adu-Gyamfi in the 65th minute.
Philadelphia Union put on a determined effort through the rest of the second half, in which Marlon LeBlanc made five changes. Jamir Johnson, Gavin Wetzel, Diego Rocio, Carlos Rojas, and Giovanny Sequera had all entered the match by the end of regulation, but the scoreline remained the same forcing the result to be decided by a shootout.
In his first game on the pitch in over a month, 18-year-old goalkeeper Andrew Rick came up big, allowing just one goal from the spot, while Columbus Crew 2’s keeper Stas Lapkes let in two. The final shot was scored by none other than Sullivan, who hit the back of the net when the team needed it most to secure the extra point. Crew 2 left Philly with just one point to show for their trip, while LeBlanc’s squad kept two at home for a first place tie with FC Cincinnati 2 in the standings.
