Olwethu Makhanya Scores First-Ever Goal For Union II in 3-1 Win Over New England

Union II was back in MLS Next Pro action on Sunday, after having their 2^nd bye week of the season last week, and a road trip to New England to take on Revolution II was what faced them. Marlon LeBlanc’s side was looking to get their 2^nd win over their opponents this season, after beating them back in March, 2-1.

Union II vs Revs II Recap

Chris Donovan was back with Marlon LeBlanc’s team this weekend and he started the game up front with standout striker Eddy Davis. Sal Olivas and David Vazquez were both missing from the matchday squad, so Philly was down a couple of key players before the game started.

It was a terrible start to the game for Marlon LeBlanc’s side after midfielder Nick Pariano had to come off in the 8^th minute due to an injury, Giovanny Sequera was the one who replaced him.

Instantly after the substitution, the first big chance of the game happened, and it fell to the hosts. Andrew Rick made a phenomenal stop to deny a close-range effort from New England. Philly followed up that chance from the hosts with a chance of their own, Kyle Tucker’s cross ended up turning into a shot and almost caught New England’s keeper out, but he smartly tipped the ball over the bar.

Union II started to grow into the game more as the game went on, and it was clear to see who the better side was during the first half and as the game went on. Frankie Westfield went close with a header from a Kyle Tucker cross, but he couldn’t keep his attempt on target.

CJ Olney then popped up with a chance just a few minutes later, but again, just like Westfield, Olney couldn’t manage to get his shot on target. The closest chance of the first half fell to Chris Donovan just after the half-hour mark when he smashed his shot off the post.

The scoreline stayed tied at 0-0 going into the 2^nd half, with Union II on top of the game but not managing to take their chances. That was certainly not the case for the 2^nd half.

Chris Donovan opened the scoring within the first 2 minutes of the 2^nd half. After some lovely passing out from the back, and a couple of line-breaking passes, Eddy Davis delightfully flicked the ball over the top of the last defender and found Donovan, who sat the keeper down 1-on-1 and cooly slotted home to put Marlon LeBlanc’s side up 1-0.

CJ Olney was brilliant in this game, and he almost got his reward around the 60th-minute mark when he danced around a few New England defenders, but his shot was met well by Revolution’s goalkeeper.

Olney missing that chance would come back to haunt Philly just minutes later when some nice buildup work found Alex Monis, whose shot was blocked into the path of Marcos Dias, who smashed it home into the top corner, a beautiful finish and Revolution was back in the game 1-1.

Marlon LeBlanc reacted quickly to the New England goal and made a pair of changes. Sanders Ngabo and Eddy Davis were taken off and replaced by Carlos Rojas and Leandro Soria. Chris Donovan had a great opportunity to put Union II back in the lead with 15 minutes left, but he couldn’t get his head over the ball.

Donovan wouldn’t be annoyed with missing that chance for too long though as just a few minutes later, after linking up with CJ Olney, Donovan would rise into the air and smash a header home from Olney’s cross to grab his brace and put Union II back into the lead, 2-1.

Chris Donovan’s brilliant afternoon would come to an end in the 81^st minute when he was taken off and replaced by defender Gavin Wetzel. Right after the substitution, Union II would grab their 3^rd goal of the game and completely kill the contest off. An in-swinging corner was put right into the back post area and Olwethu Makhanya headed home for his first-ever goal in Philly colors.

Marlon LeBlanc’s men would see out the game and take home all 3 points with a great performance on the road. The win puts them top of the table on 20 points, with their goal difference being better than 2^nd place Chattanooga, but LeBlanc’s side also has a game in hand over the new boys in 2^nd place.