Sunday afternoon brought along another MLS Next Pro regular season game for Philadelphia Union II as they travelled north of the border to take on a struggling Toronto FC II side.
Union II headed into the game knowing a win would put them back into the top spot of the Eastern Conference and a host of squad changes were made by head coach Marlon LeBlanc. Academy stars Jamir Johnson and Kellan LeBlanc entered the starting XI, while Markus Anderson made his return from injury to partner Leandro Soria up top.
Frankie Westfield, Cavan Sullivan, CJ Olney, David Vazquez, and Andrew Rick Jr were all missing from the matchday squad entirely. Eddy Davis was back from his trial in Norway, and Jamir Johnson gets his first professional start after being on trial with Dutch side PSV recently. Jordan Griffin, an academy prospect, was an addition on the bench.
Union II vs Toronto II recap
The game was a fairly even affair for the opening 10 minutes, with both teams settling into the game. Kellan LeBlanc won a free kick just outside the box but he fired the free kick just over the bar, that being the first chance for either side.
We only had to wait another 3 minutes to see the opening goal of the game, with the hosts taking the lead. After some really good work down the left wing, Jesus Batiz, a player I highlighted in my preview, took a shot on goal that deflected off a Union II defender and past Mike Sheridan to put the hosts 1-0 up.
Just 7 minutes later and the hosts doubled their lead through a corner, which found Ythallo Rodrigues de Olivera, who was unmarked and hammered a header past Mike Sheridan, who could only just get fingertips to it but couldn’t prevent it from going in. Nick Pariano had a great chance to fire one back instantly, but his shot from outside the box went wide of the post.
Jamir Johnson was looking more of a threat near the end of the first half and had a couple of chances to get on the scoresheet. His free kick beat the keeper but just went wide of the post and then went close to beating the keeper at the far post, but just missed. Union II went in at half-time 2-0 down.
Marlon LeBlanc made his first change of the game at half-time with Leandro Soria being replaced by Sal Olivas. Union II flew out of the blocks in the 2nd half and Kellan LeBlanc fired his first ever goal in a Union II shirt 5 minutes into the 2nd half. After some great work by Berdicio, his cross found Kellan in the box, and the young son of head coach Marlon LeBlanc volleyed home with great control.
Union II kept the pressure on after getting one goal back and their high press pulled off 5 minutes after the first goal as a mistake was forced at the back from Toronto as the keeper tried passing out. Markus Anderson ended up squaring the ball across to LeBlanc who hammered home his 2nd of the game to tie the game at 2-2.
Unfortunately for Union II, their game tying goal only lasted a few minutes as Toronto pushed up the field from the kick-off and after what seemed like a great bit of defending for Makhanya, the referee determined it was a foul and a penalty for Toronto. Julian Altobelli stepped up and slotted it into the left-hand corner to put the hosts 3-2 up.
The game was fairly open after Toronto’s 3rd goal and Union II looked like they’d go on and find an equalising goal. Marlon LeBlanc made a host of changes with Carlos Rojas, Jamir Johnson, and Kellan LeBlanc all leaving the field and being replaced by Diego Rocio, Eddy Davis, and Jordan Griffin.
Unfortunately the changes made by Marlon LeBlanc couldn’t stop Toronto finding a 4th goal 15 minutes from time as Union II were caught in possession at the back and Hassan Ayari capitalised, taking the ball around Sheridan and restoring his side’s 2 goal advantage.
Marlon LeBlanc made his 5th and final change of the match just after the goal, with Nick Pariano coming off for Zach Mastrodimos, but they just couldn’t find the two goals, even with 8 minutes added on; to claim any points and they stay in 2nd place, 2 points back from Cincinnati in top spot.
Image Credit: Philadelphia Union II
