For the first time in 2023, Philadelphia Union II face off against rival NYCFC II. The two sides will battle on Sunday evening at 7pm -- tune in for free on MLSNEXTPro.com to watch the action!
Sunday's match is the midway mark of the club's three-game road trip, which will end against Toronto FC II on July 12. The Boys in Blue opened the trip with three points on Wednesday evening, with a triumphant 3-0 victory over Orlando City B.
Philadelphia had a strong start against Orlando in the first half, before inclement weather caused a nearly two-hour-long delay. Forward Chris Donovan found the back of the net early on in the eleventh minute when he connected with a through ball from defender Juan Castillo. Donovan got his first brace of the season in the 21st minute after winning the ball from an Orlando defender and making a dash to the net to bring Union II ahead 2-0. In the second half, the teams battled offensively, but without an Orlando City B score.
Newly signed Union II goalkeeper Andrew Rick recorded his first clean sheet of the season with five saves. In the 86th minute, midfielder David Vazquez slotted a shot into the bottom right corner to push Philadelphia further ahead to the final score. The win snapped Orlando City B's season-long win-streak at home, handing them their first loss at Osceola County Stadium in the 2023 campaign.
NYCFC II stands at 7-6-1 in the season so far, currently enduring a three-game losing streak. They most recently fell to Atlanta United II 4-2.
New York's leading scorer, forward Matt Myers, leads the team with eight goals, while midfielder Jack Beer leads in assists with four. The team's Head Coach Matt Pilkington is in his seventh season with NYCFC II, most frequently utilizing a 4-3-3 starting formation.
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