Philadelphia Union 2 remained undefeated in its spring friendly schedule with a 5-1 victory over NESL side Vereinigung Erzgebirge.
“I thought it was a really professional performance by us especially since we went really young today,” Philadelphia Union 2 Head Coach Marlon LeBlanc said. “Our culture is really good and that showed today with a strong performance from start to finish. Defensively we are putting teams under an immense amount of pressure and I think our attacking mentality steams from that and it was what started our attacks. ”
Starting with one of the youngest lineups in the club’s history, Union 2 needed only 67 seconds to get on the scoreboard as Anthony Ramirez picked out Bajung Darboe for the early goal. The quick strike came via pace and defense as a quick turnover and build up was capped off by the smooth finish from the 14-year-old forward.
VE equalized after eight minutes later as a shot crashed off defender Dante Huckaby and into the back of the net but LeBlanc’s side battled back with a pair of chances that forced heroic saves from the opposition’s goalkeeper including a 35-yard free kick strike from Huckaby.
The second 30-minute period was dominated by Union II as Ramirez and forward Ian Abbey created chance after chance. After an Abbey header was saved, the speedy forward got behind the defense and was fouled in the box that award Union II a penalty kick. Jack Jasinski calmly coverted from the spot to give Union II the lead and the club didn’t’ look back.
The ultimate execution of the Union philosophy of defend and quickly go forward was on display in the 56th minute. Midfielder Diego Lopez sparked the play with a strong tackle near the center circle and quickly found the playmaking Ramirez. The midfielder threaded a pass to Abbey into the box and once more the forward drew a point to the spot by the referee. Sean Bettenhausen made it 2-for-2 from the PK spot as the club took at 3-1 lead into the final 30-minute period.
Union 2 capped off the match with another pair of goals as Marcello Mozzola ran down a perfectly floated pass over the defense from Ramirez and rifled home a goal in his Union II debut. Forward Caden Stafford came on as a late substitute and added the final goal of the contest in the 88th minute.
Philadelphia Union 2 returns to the pitch next weekend with another closed-door scrimmage. The competition rises up as they host USL League One side Richmond Kickers on Saturday, March 27th.
SCORING SUMMARY
PHI – Bajung Darboe (Anthony Ramirez) 2’
VE – Dante Huckaby (Own Goal) 9’
PHI – Jack Jasinski (PK) 40’
PHI – Sean Bettenhausen (PK) 57’
PHI – Marcello Mozzola (Anthony Ramirez) 73’
PHI – Caden Stafford 88’
LINEUP
Philadelphia Union 2- Trialist GK #1 (Ben Martino 30’, Trialist GK #2 60’); Jackson Gilman (Anton Sorenson 72’), Samuel Jones, Dante Huckaby, Jake Spadafora (Logan Oliver 65’); Diego Lopez (Mani Diop 72’), Sean Bettenhausen, Jack Jasinski, Anthony Ramirez; Ian Abbey (Marcello Mozzola 65’), Barjung Darboe (Caden Stafford 72’).
