Thursday night saw Ryan Richter and his Union II side back in MLS Next Pro action as they played host to Atlanta United 2, looking for their first win of the 2025 season. Union II headed into the game in a unique and awkward spot, being both undefeated and winless through their first 3 games of the season.
Richter made one change from his sides 2-2 draw and 4-3 shootout loss to Huntsville City, with Mastrodimos making way for Gavin Wetzel. Stas Korzeniowski and Sal Olivas continued their partnership upfront, while Olney, Cavan Sullivan, and David Vazquez all partnered eachother in midfield. Eddy Davis returned to the matchday squad after missing out against Huntsville, this time taking up a spot on the substitute bench.
First half
Oliver Semmle, who was starting back-to-back games in goal instead of Andrew Rick Jr, was called into very early action as he was forced to make a sweeper keeper save 35 yards out from his goal, when Atlanta United 2 found themselves through on goal. Union II had the next two chances before the 15th minute, and both fell to Stas Korzeniowski.
The first of his two chances was a shot from just outside the box, but unfortunately for the big striker, his shot was directly at Atlanta goalkeeper Hibbert. The second chance was much better as Korzeniowski took down a chipped ball into the box but hit his shot right at Hibbert in goal again from inside the box.
Just past the 20th minute mark though and Stas had a third chance to put his side into an early lead and he did just that. A cross was put in from the left wing and Atlanta’s goalkeeper Hibbert put himself in no man’s land trying to collect the cross, which gave Stas an easy header into the, practically, open net.
Just 5 or so minutes later and it’s Oliver Semmle pulling off the heroics for his team down at the other end. After Atlanta got through on a counterattack, Semmle pulled off a world class save to deny Atlanta an equaliser. Comfortably one of the best saves you’ll see this week, at the minimum.
Stas Korzeniowski was involved in the next big Union II chance as Ryan Richter’s side hit Atlanta on the counterattack and all Stas needed to do was slip the ball across the box to Sal Olivas for a tap in goal, but his pass was blocked by a defender and his second attempt was sliced over the bar.
Sal Olivas was the next Union II player to see a pass across the box cut out by an Atlanta defender, as he tried to slip one through to Stas, only to come close to scoring as the pass deflected towards goal and almost crept into the corner.
Right on the stroke of half time, Ryan Richter’s side would double their lead as a beautiful ball in from the left wing by CJ Olney found Neil Pierre, who’s diving header was an absolute bullet into the back of the net to send Union II into the halftime break with a comfortable 2-0 lead.
Second half
The second half of the game started off pretty much perfectly for Ryan Richter’s side after Atlanta was reduced to 10 men when Chong Qui found himself receiving his 2nd yellow card of the game. At half time, Ryan Richter made some interesting substitutes, both Neil Pierre and Cavan Sullivan were taken off, being replaced by Ramzi Qawasmy and Markus Anderson. I’d say it’s pretty obvious both Pierre and Cavan will be in the senior team side at the weekend after Ian’s injury and Gazdag outgoing.
Ryan Richter made his 3rd change of the night on the 60th minute, with Sal Olivas leaving the field and being replaced by the returning Eddy Davis. Union II were shouting for a penalty just minutes after the substitution, but the referee deemed it to not be one.
Union II tripled their lead 70 minutes into the game when they hit 10 man Atlanta on the counter and Markus Anderson slipped CJ Olney through, with the young midfielder slotting the ball home with ease past Hibbert in goal.
A couple minutes later and Union II found themselves with a penalty after Kellan LeBlanc was taken out inside the penalty box. Captain Nick Pariano stepped up and scored the spotkick to put Union II up 4-0 and cruising to their first win of the season.
To round out a seriously chaotic 7-minute stretch, barely a minute after the penalty being scored, Union II found themselves infront of the Atlanta goal and after winning the penalty for the 4th goal, Kellan LeBlanc grabs his goal and puts Ryan Richter’s side 5-0 up with just over 10 minutes to play.
5 minutes out from full time and Atlanta got a consolation goal through a penalty to make the scoreline 5-1. Unfortunately for the visitors, the damage had been done early in the 2nd half and the scoreline stayed at 5-1 for the full-time whistle. Union earns their first win of the 2025 season and Ryan Richter gets his first win as Union II head coach.
Mandatory Credit: Caean Couto-Imagn Images
