Eastern Conference leading Philadelphia Union II returns to Subaru Park on Thursday night, facing newcomers Chattanooga FC in a big conference battle on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
Union II is one of the hottest teams in MLS NEXT Pro with wins in seven of their last nine matches to sit three points clear of the chasing pack. The Boys in Blue kept their winning ways rolling with a 2-1 road win at New England Revolution II to complete a three-game sweep of their conference opponent. Marlon LeBlanc's side were dangerous in the first half like they have been recently, finding two goals in the first 20 minutes to put the Revs on the backfoot. The Boys in Blue earned the first corner of the contest and were immediately awarded a second. With a second bite at the apple, the squad turned to a play from the WSFS Bank Sportsplex training grounds. CJ Olney resumed the action quickly with a hard pass to Berdecio on the left side of the Union attack. Using the decoy run by Olney on the give and go, the Bolivian whipped a cross into the box that crashed off Revs II defender Damario McIntosh and into the back of the net as Frankie Westfield went up for the header.
Union II didn’t have to wait long to extend its advantage as league history was made on Saturday night in the 18th minute of play. Again it was Olney involved as he received a pass booted up the pitch on the left flank. Dragging the defense with him, he threaded the needle to put the ball at the feet of Cavan Sullivan. The 14-year-old put on a shot, slicing through the New England defense before delivering a clinical finish to become the second youngest goal scorer in MLS NEXT Pro history at 14 years, 9 months and 8 days.
The Tennessee side has been battling Union II for a spot atop the East for most of the season but has seen a slight dip in form with their first-ever two match losing streak. Both losses came in front of their home fans at Finley Stadium in matching 2-1 scorelines with Carolina Core FC taking advantage of two early goals to see out the result while Crown Legacy FC notched a late winner. The losses have the club now sitting in fourth place in the East but only four points out of FC Cincinnati 2 who occupy the No. 2 slot in the conference table. Like Union II, Chattanooga is built on defense and owns the fourth best defense in the conference with only 21 goals allowed while Philly leads the way with 18 goals conceded across three different goalkeepers.
Tickets for Thursday's match can be purchased online by clicking here. Please note that due to a stadium event taking place on the concourse, fans will be able to enter via the IBX Gate with general admission seating taking place in sections 122 through 129. Fans will continue to have expanded concession option with the Chickie's & Pete's location at Section 129 open for purchases throughout the match.
