Union II Face Blockbuster Clash Against Chattanooga FC As CJ Olney Departs On Loan

Sunday afternoon, another MLS Next Pro game day will arrive in Philadelphia. Ryan Richter’s Union II side welcomes third-place Chattanooga FC in a top-of-the-table clash that could have a massive impact on who tops the Eastern Conference standings come the end of the regular season.

Union II vs Chattanooga FC Preview

Union II has been on fire for over a month now. They entered the game on the back of a six-game unbeaten run, which can stretch to seven if they avoid defeat to Chattanooga. In their last game out, last Sunday afternoon, Union II really put on a show, destroying an informed Toronto FC II team that entered the game on a four-game unbeaten run themselves.

Markus Anderson opened the scoring for Ryan Richter’s side in the first half before David Vazquez fired in a brilliant free kick, and CJ Olney grabbed a goal to make it 3-0 entering stoppage time in the 2^nd half. Malik Jakupovic continued his impressive start to life with Union II as he grabbed two goals in stoppage time, one being assisted by Willyam Ferreira, who picked up his first professional assist in just his 2^nd appearance in the MLS Next Pro for Union II.

CJ Olney departs On Loan

Union II heads into the game knowing they’ll be without midfield maestro and one of the players who found themselves on the scoresheet last Sunday afternoon, CJ Olney, for the rest of the 2025 season. He’s left Union on loan to USL club Lexington SC.

This should be an excellent move for CJ, as he’s shown for several months now that he’s well above the level of the MLS Next Pro. Getting consistent senior football minutes will do his development a world of good, even if I personally think he should be contributing in the MLS for the Union’s senior team.

A top of the East Clash

Chattanooga comes to Subaru Park for this game. They are currently sitting in third place, just a single point behind Union II, but they have played two extra games than Ryan Richter’s side. The Tennessee side has been imposing in road games this season, but they enter this game having only gained three points from their past five games, and it’s been close to two months since they last won in regular time.

A win in this game for Union II would put them just two points behind league leaders NYRB II; Philly has two games in hand over them. A win for Chattanooga would put them second and back above Ryan Richter’s side and give them a nice two-point buffer, as they have played two more games than Union II.

This blockbuster clash will take place at Subaru Park, with a kickoff scheduled for 3:00 p.m. ET. Tickets are still available for the game, but if you can’t make it to Subaru Park, it will be streamed live on Apple TV via an active MLS Season Pass subscription.