After more than a 2-week break from MLS Next Pro action, The Philadelphia Union II head out on the road for a first-time meeting with league newcomers Carolina Core FC.
Union II vs Carolina Core preview
With Union II having an extended break from any league action, Marlon LeBlanc will be looking to really push on with a refreshed squad before the regular season ends on October 6th. Union II currently sits in 2nd place in the Eastern Conference standings, just 2 points behind conference leaders FC Cincinnati 2.
Any race for the top spot & number 1 seed will almost certainly go down to the final game with just 6 points separating the top 7 teams and just 7 points between 8th (the last playoff spot) and 12th place.
Union II’s last game in league action was against Columbus Crew 2, where they picked up 2 points. Cavan Sullivan scored his 3rd goal of his debut season for the team with an absolute rocket from distance as the game ended 1-1 after 90 minutes. Andrew Rick Jr reminded everyone how good he is as a keeper on his return to the starting XI as he only allowed one penalty in from the shootout and Cavan Sullivan scored the shootout-winning penalty to claim 2 massive points.
The hosts of this mid-week game, Carolina Core, are playing their first season in the MLS Next Pro and had a rough start to life in the league. However, they’re currently on an amazing run of form, especially at home, where they’ve won 4 games on the bounce to shoot them up the standings into 10th place and only 4 points back from being in the final playoff spot.
As it’s their first-ever season in the league, Union II and Carolina Core will be facing eachother for the first time ever and at a crucial time in the season for both of them. Marlon LeBlanc will be without Giovanny Sequera as he was called up to the Venezuelan National Team for their World Cup Qualifiers but LeBlanc should have an almost full roster at his disposal.
The game is schedule to kick off at 6:30pm ET and is available for fans to watch on Apple TV via an active MLS Season Pass subscription.
Mandatory Credit: Philadelphia Union II
