Union II kicked off their 2025 MLS Next Pro season with a road trip up north to face New England Revolution II at Gillette Stadium. The game was not only the team’s season opener but also Ryan Richter’s first game in charge since taking over from Marlon LeBlanc during the offseason.
Union II vs Revs II recap
As expected, there were a number of changes to the starting XI and the substitute bench for the season opener. Nate Harriel, Gavin Wetzel, and Isaiah LeFlore all came into the back four alongside last season regular Neil Pierre.
2024 Union SuperDraft pick Stas Korzeniowski made his Union II debut as he partnered the club single season record goalscorer from last season, Eddy Davis, upfront. The midfield 4 was the only familiar sight for Union II fans as Nick Pariano, CJ Olney, David Vazquez, and Cavan Sullivan all started, with Pariano serving as captain.
1st half Union II control
Union II pretty much controlled the entirety of the opening half, something we’ve come to expect from the side, and their opening chance came in the 12th minute when CJ Olney just fired wide from inside the box. Eddy Davis had a chance to start his season with a goal 10 minutes later but he couldn’t get the most from his chance and the New England keeper covered the ball.
Debutant Stas Korzeniowski had the next chance as we approached the halfway stage, but his effort was deflected, and it kindly fell into the hands of JD Gunn in the Revolution II goal. Cavan Sullivan had the final chance of the half but could only fire his effort right at the keeper, and the sides headed into the dressing rooms for halftime tied at 0-0.
The Revs wake up in the 2nd
The second half began and New England seemed to come out wanting the game a lot more than they did in the first half. They registered their first shot on target 5 minutes into the 2nd half but it was comfortably saved by Andrew Rick. The 2nd half seemed to die out after that moment, with both teams seemingly trying to shake off some opening game rust.
Cavan Sullivan had the best Union II chance of the second half 20 minutes into it as his shot from outside the box just curled wide of the post. Ryan Richter made his first change just mere minutes after that Sullivan chance as he took debutant Stas Korzeniowski and Eddy Davis off for Leandro Soria and Sal Olivas. Ryan then opted to make another change as we approached the 80th minute that saw Cavan Sullivan leave the field for Zachary Mastrodimos.
It seemed like the two teams were heading for a goalless draw to start the season, but then disaster struck for Ryan Richter’s side when Nate Harriel was judged to have handled the ball in the box, and the referee gave a penalty. Marcos Dias stood up to take the spot kick for New England, but Andrew Rick saved the penalty and denied an opening-day loss for Union II.
A PK shootout for an extra-point
The game ended 0-0 after 90 minutes, and so, as we always do when there’s a tie in the MLS Next Pro, we headed for an extra-point penalty shootout. Both teams went 2 for 2 from their opening spot-kicks, but that streak was broken for New England by Alex Monis, who missed New England’s third penalty.
Ryan Richter’s men looked to be on their way to an extra point on opening weekend but then CJ Olney and Leandro Soria missed the final two penalties for Union II and New England walked away as victors in the shootout 4-3 and took home the extra point.
