Following their impressive 3-1 win against New York Red Bulls II on Sunday, Union II was named MLS NEXT Pro Team of the Matchday, the league announced Monday.
The honor comes after Head Coach Marlon LeBlanc's squad secured their spot in the playoff for the second straight year, achieving a feat that only one other Eastern Conference team has accomplished.
Union II finished out the regular season with a 12-12-4 record despite being the youngest team in the East. The team won their final three matches, emerging from a crowded conference battle to earn the final postseason spot.
Their final game featured three impressive goals, starting with a free kick for forward Jeremy Rafanello. His ball curled past New York defenders to sneak into the space between their keeper and the post for the opening score. Defender Hugo Le Guennec scored his first-ever MLS NEXT Pro goal moments before the halftime whistle, staying vigilant to take advantage of an open opportunity from distance.
Though their opponent was able to find one of their own in the second half, midfielder David Vazquez sealed the deal with Philadelphia's third goal of the day in stoppage time.
