After a nearly two week break, Philadelphia Union II returns to MLS NEXT Pro action as they take on Atlanta United 2 at Subaru Park on Thursday night. Tickets for the match can be purchased here or fans can watch the next generation of Union talent with MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
Thursday's match will be the fourth league match for the Boys in Blue under the direction of Head Coach Ryan Richter, with the first three games each ending in a draw and penalty kick shootout. Union II found itself in a back-and-forth affair at Huntsville City SC, battling back from an early goal to equal via homegrown Sal Olivas' fifth MLS NEXT Pro goal of his career to give the Boys in Blue momentum going into halftime. That carried over early in the second frame with 15-year-old Cavan Sullivan finding the back of the net for the second-straight contest for Union II. In the shootout, Oliver Semmle made a big save in the third round but the hosts would claim the extra point with a 4-3 result.
Atlanta United 2 is coming off their first victory of the season, defeating Inter Miami CF II in a multi-day, multi-venue contest that ended in a 3-2 victory. The match originally started on Sunday at Fifth Third Stadium in Kennesaw but was abandoned in the 24th minute with a 1-1 score due to inclement weather. The match was resumed the folllowing day in a closed-door match at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. In Kennesaw, Miami jumped out first with a third minute goal but it was level three minutes later on a goal from Moises Tablante. Luke Brennan gave the 5-Stripes the lead in the 39th minute, scoring on his second attempt inside the red zone. In the second half, ATL put the match away with an insurance goal from Tablante as he capped off a counter attack in the 55th minute.
Prior to their first win on Monday afternoon, Atlanta had played in back-to-back penalty kick shootouts where they couldn't grab the extra point against Chattanooga FC and Orlando City B.
