Eddy Davis netted his 10th goal of the season but two goals late from the hosts saw Philadelphia Union II’s three-game winning streak end by a 2-1 scoreline at New York City FC II.
With the first team in the midst of two games in three days there were questions as to who would make the trip north to play on Friday night with Union II. As it turned out quite a bit of first team players comprised the roster with Markus Anderson starting up top while the midfield saw Nick Pariano and Sanders Ngabo suiting up for Marlon LeBlanc. On the back line Jamir Bedecio and Olwethu Makhanya made up the right side of the defense with homegrown Andrew Rick returning between the posts.
The opening half was a chippy one between the two rivals with the referee dishing out six yellow cards in the first 45. The homeside had the first scoring opportunities of the evening early on with Jonathan Jiménez sending a ringing shot past Rick that crashed off the post and had to be cleared away by Frankie Westfield. Moments later, Makhanya was forced to commit a tactical foul just outside the box to set up a dangerous free kick chance in the 11th minute. Rick perfectly placed his wall and was in prime position to catch the shot offered up by Taylor Calheira.
The first goal was critical in the contest with both sides entering the game with matching 7-0-1 records when gaining the lead first. Even more pressing was the fact that both sides had conceded just 19 goals. CJ Olney tried to set up the opener for the Boys in Blue with a darting run in the 17th minute as he drifted out on the flank to stretch the defense. As the 17-year-old cut into the box, the ripped a centering pass to Eddy Davis for a tap in but the keeper collect it before it reached the forward.
In the 23rd minute Davis would get the ball and continue his quest for the title of leading scorer in MLS NEXT Pro which put Union II ahead. The 18-year-old Union Academy graduate reached the double digit mark with his 10th of the season with a strong run toward the keeper, to be the first one to get a touch on a cross from Pariano. With the keeper and defender battling for the ball, Davis persevered for the opener.
NYCFC II continued to dominate the ball after falling behind, seeking to break down the stingy Philly defense. Just past the half hour mark the New York side went for a quick and direct counter attack only to see a shot from Piero Elias blocked by Makhanya. More chaos came in the Union II box five minutes off a free kick floated in from the home side. The ball was half cleared inside the box but a pass to a runner looked like it would lead to an equalizer as Rick missed on the punch but in the midst of the chaos in the six was punted forward by Anderson.
Like they’ve shown most of the season, Union II came out of the half time break on the front foot and nearly doubled their advantage two minutes in. A quick pass centering pass to Olney unlocked the NYCFC II defense and the midfielder threaded the needle to send Anderson into the box for Davis but the connection was just off. The Boys in Blue kept pushing with Olney going from distributor to shot taker as he ripped a shot on goal in the 52nd minute for saw it stopped.
Just past the hour mark, Head Coach Marlon LeBlanc made his first change of the night sending in Gavin Wetzel in place of Westfield for some fresh legs on the defense. As the physicality continued to simmer between the two sides with regular stoppages, Calheira continued to be the focal point for New York as he was denied by Rick in the 67th minute.
LeBlanc went younger with his lineup for the final 15 minutes of the match sending in Leandro Soria and U-17 playmaker Jamir Johnson for Anderson and Kyle Tucker. After the changes, NYCFC II continued to pummel cross after cross into the box to try and test the youthful Union.
Substitute Camil Azzam Ruiz looked like he’d provide a look at a 1-1 game in the 79th minute but clean tackling at the edge of the box poked it free. Ngabo nearly launched a counter attack but was taken down by Chris Tiao to draw the eighth yellow card of the night. The stoppage saw the final two substitutions for Union II as Randy Meneses and Kellan LeBlanc replaced Ngabo and the goalscoring Davis. Seconds after the change Soria sought an insurance goal with a long range effort that went inches wide.
After the chance from the Union, NYCFC II regained possession and continued to test the back line. X found space just inside the 18 and attempted to sneak a shot through traffic but Wetzel delivered the key block with five minutes remaining. With two minutes left the homeside finally broke through as Ruiz successfully won a duel inside the box and flicked it forward to the feet of Calheira who found himself 1v1 against Rick for the equalizer.
With a penalty shootout looming, NYCFC II stung the hearts of the youthful Union and took all three points as Piero Elias shot a quick pass into the box for Jonathan Shore for the one time finish in the 92nd minute.
Philadelphia Union II will have a little bit of a break before they return to action at Columbus Crew 2 on Sunday, July 28th. Kick off from Ohio is set for 6pm with coverage on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
