Philadelphia Union II faced off against Toronto FC II in the 2022 MLS NEXT Pro Eastern Conference Semifinals, ending in a 1-0 loss on Saturday night at BMO Field. With the loss, the Union are knocked out of the 2022 MLS Next Pro Playoffs.
In the first half, Toronto would jump on the board in the sixth minute as midfielder Jordan Perruzza sent in a low cross to forward Hugo Mbongue rushing into the box to tap in a shot into the right side of the goal. In the 28th minute, Union II midfielder Jose Riasco had a shot from a powerful header off a corner kick but was stopped by Toronto’s keeper.
Just before the halftime break, Toronto’s Mbongue wins a header off a free kick at the back post, but Union II keeper Matt Freese dove to save the shot heading to the top left corner of the net.
In the second half, Mbongue would have another chance in the 56th minute, hitting a shot from outside the box, but Freese was there to make the tough save. In the 60th minute, forward Jose Riasco scored the equalizer, but it was quickly waved off for a handball prior to the goal.
Union II finished their inaugural 2022 MLS NEXT Pro season with a 11-9-4 record, three shootout wins, and sat on 40 points through 24 games played.
