Philadelphia Union II continued play in MLS NEXT Pro with a 2(5)-2(4) result against Inter Miami CF II on Sunday night at Subaru Park. With the draw, Union II are now in seventh place in the Eastern Conference with 28 points.
Philadelphia conceded a penalty in the 29th minute with Miami II forward Romeo Beckham stepping up to put the visitors up 1-0. Union II forward Jose Riasco would level the match for the home side in the 35th minute, collecting a through ball pass in the box sent in by midfielder Paxten Aaronson and cutting back to drop his defender and send a shot to the center of the net.
Just before heading into the break, Aaronson would put Union II ahead 2-1 in the 43rd minute, aiming a header to the bottom right corner of the goal, just past the fingers of the keeper’s outstretched arms.
Early in the second half, Miami II opened up action with two back-to-back shots on goal, with Matt Freese coming up big, narrowly saving both. Later in the 68th minute, Freese grabbed a ball swung in by Beckham off of a free kick heading to the back right post.
Inter Miami II would claim one more goal in the second half in the 76th minute as Lawson Sunderland struck a ball from outside the box to the top right of the goal that was sent in off a deflection, he was assisted by David Ruiz.
Freese kept the game level in the final seconds of regulation as Miami II forward Bryan Destin sent in a curling shot to the far right of the goal with Freese getting his fingers on the ball and sending the match into penalties.
In penalties, five Union II players found the back of the net while Freese made two saves to secure the shootout win for Philadelphia, ending with a 5-4 penalty scoreline.
Union II will return home to face New England Revolution II at Subaru Park on Sunday, August 21st (7:00 p.m. ET / MLSNEXTPro.com).
