Union II Take 2 Points From Orlando City B, Win Extra Point Shootout After 1-1 Draw

After a 14-day break, and a good portion of the squad off winning the GA Cup with the U17’s Union Academy team during that time, Union II returned to MLS Next Pro action at home against Orlando City B. Marlon LeBlanc’s side was looking to keep their unbeaten start to the season alive against an opponent they have found easy to beat in previous matchups.

Philadelphia Union II vs Orlando City B Recap

CJ Olney made his first start of the season, after making his season debut off the bench in the away draw to Chicago a couple of weeks back, and David Vazquez also found himself in the starting XI, while Olivas and Davis III kept their prolific partnership alive up top.

The first 10 minutes of the game were evenly contested between the two sides, but it was the visitors who had the biggest chance of the opening portion. Andrew Rick made a fantastic stop from an Orlando shot and then Frankie Westfield, who was captaining the side today with team captain Kyle Tucker on the bench, made a brilliant goal-line clearance to keep the deadlock intact.

Union II Take the lead early

Those two defensive plays ended up being massive for Marlon LeBlanc’s side as just a couple minutes later, Frankie Westfield found himself in space down the left flank and picked out Sal Olivas in the middle, who slotted home comfortably from a few yards out. Olivas’ goal is his 2^nd of the season, which also brings his tally with partner Davis III to 4 goals in 4 games between them.

Union II dominated possession after finding the opening goal of the game but couldn’t really find a way through to take advantage of all the ball they were having. It wasn’t until the 30^th minute that we would see the next goal of the match, and unfortunately, it wasn’t for the home side.

Orlando Equalize

Orlando had been trying to hit Philly on the counterattack all game but couldn’t find a way through, being sloppy with their limited possession. That was until the 30th minute when they counter-attacked while Philly was unorganized and Wilfredo Rivera slotted home with class to level the game.

The remaining 15 minutes of the game was all Philly but nothing substantial happened. Union II had a couple of half chances during scrambles in the box from corners, but shots either flew wide or Orlando defended bravely. The game started to heat up between the two sides with a few yellow cards being brandished and a couple of scuffles occurring between the two sides, but they’d head into the break level at 1-1.

A chippy second half

Neither manager made changes to their side at the half and the two teams saw a frantic start to the 2^nd half. Union II found themselves through on goal but a great block from Orlando stopped them from taking back their lead.

Then, Orlando found themselves on the counter, but some brilliant defending by Frankie Westfield stopped a cross from resulting in a guaranteed goal for the visitors. Just after the 60^th minute, Marlon LeBlanc was the first manager to make changes as Giovanny Sequera and Carlos Rojas replaced Nick Pariano and Jamir Berdecio.

After a stoppage in play slowed the game down for a bit, with Orlando’s goalkeeper struggling after a collision in the box from a corner, Union II made their 3^rd change of the game when Eddy Davis was replaced by Ryan Zellefrow. Zellefrow found himself involved with the action straight away and after linking up with Sal Olivas, his shot crashed off the bar.

With 7 minutes added on for either side to find a late winner, after a pretty dreadful second half, Sal Olivas was replaced by team captain Kyle Tucker ahead of the extra point penalty shootout.

PKs for a second point

Vazquez almost got a very late winner, when he cut inside from the wing, went around 2 defenders but Orlando’s keeper made a very good save at the near post to deny Union II a winner. The game ended in a 1-1 draw, Union II’s unbeaten start to the season still alive, as we head to the extra point shootout.

The teams didn’t want to be split apart from each other as the sides both went 6 for 6 in the shootout. Union II dispatched their 7th penalty and Andrew Rick finally wedged the sides from each other as he saved Orlando’s 7th penalty and Union II came away with 2 points.

Marlon LeBlanc’s side faces a quick turnaround with their next game being a road trip to Atlanta, to take on Atlanta United 2 on Monday 15th at 7:30 PM.