They came. They saw. And, eventually, they conquered.
Last time Philadelphia Union II went to Miami they rode goals from Paxten Aaronson and Jack McGlynn to a 3-3 regular time draw before Cole Turner finished things in the penalty shootout.
With the Union facing LAFC on the same date as this game, expect Union II Head Coach Marlon LeBlanc to lean heavily on his talented but inexperienced young squad as they look to kick start a winning streak.
Boubacar Diallo got the third goal last time these clubs met and he could combine with Chris Donovan and Nelson Pierre..
Donovan has been on fire with three goals in two games, which is good for sixth in the league.
If Brandan Craig travels to LA, he will be sorely missed as a defensive leader, but Nathan Nkanji could get help from Jackson Gilman in back as Philly tries to keep Miami under the three goal total they collected back in early April.
Like NYCFC, Miami sits near the bottom of the league in defensive numbers, though that’s driven by an incredible four penalty kicks given away, which leads MLS NEXT Pro.
Cleaning things up in back could give the home side a platform from which former Union II striker Shanyder Borgelin could thrive. The big attacker can be lethal in the box, but he needs his side to hold onto control of the match and provide service.
Miami doesn’t defend from the front as well as Philly or show as much energy in transition, so Union II’s ability to disrupt buildup play will likely be the place at which this game turns.
Tune in at MLSNEXTPro.com at 7:00 p.m. ET on May 7 to catch the first rematch of Union II’s inaugural MLS NEXT Pro season as they travel back to Miami to face off with Inter Miami CF II.
