March 17, 2024...Union II opens 2024 with 2-1 win over Toronto FC II (from philadelphiaunion.com)
Union II opens 2024 with 2-1 win over Toronto FC II
Sunday, Mar 17, 2024, 07:30 PM
Philadelphia Union II turned up the defensive pressure to start their 2024 MLS NEXT Pro season with
a 2-1 comeback win over Toronto FC II on Sunday afternoon.
Union II’s first contest of the 2024 season saw the club’s philosophy on the pitch at the opening whistle with
four members from the first team in the Starting XI for Head Coach Marlon LeBlanc. Alongside Olwethu Makhanya,
Jamir Berdecio, Sanders Ngabo and Nick Pariano, Academy players Francis Westfield and Edward Davis III got
the MLS NEXT Pro start. Union II forward Sal Olivas celebrated his own highlight moment of his young professional
career with his first MLS NEXT Pro start coming in the 2024 opener.
Union II earned the scoring chance of the contest in the 10th minute with a dangerous free kick opportunity outside
the Toronto 18-yard-box. Captain Kyle Tucker delivered the service to the far post but the visitors cleared it away.
Moments later it was Toronto with a dangerous chance of their own with a threaded ball to spring Julian Altobelli
into open space. Andrew Rick timed his run perfectly off the line to make himself big and stop the chipped effort
from the visiting side.
Toronto again launched a counter against Union II’s press with quick passing sequence sending Jesús Batiz thorugh
on the left side. Again Rick was calm beyond his years with a perfectly placed block to prevent a goal and a rebound.
Buoyed by the big defensive stops at the back, Union II nearly found the back of the net with a pair of chances
from Olivas. Off a corner kick in the 18th minute, Tucker ripped a cross that connected with the 17-year-old but
the quick shot was blocked near the penalty spot. Less than a minute it was David Vazquez with excellent service
on the left side toward Olivas with a redirected flick just missing the far post.
Union II’s captain Kyle Tucker thought he had Union II’s opening goal of the season in the 25th minute with
a perfectly placed free kick from 30 yards out. The midfielder struck it perfectly but the celebrations were cut
short as the referee whistled the play off for interference to negate the Union II goal.
Just before the break both teams made valiant efforts for the first official goal of the match with Vazquez finding
space on the left flank before whipping a cross into the box for Davis II that was cleared out. Toronto FC struck
on the counter in the 41st minute as Altobelli threaded a ball to Batiz who converted on his second chance
of the afternoon to make it 1-0 in favor of the visiting side.
Union II came out of half on the front foot with even more defensive pressure to force mistakes from Toronto FC.
Just two minutes after the resumption of play, Philly nearly did just that as Davis III sent a cross into the box
intended for Olivas that was blocked by Toronto FC II defender Lazar Stefanovic and crashed off the post and out.
In the 51st minute, Union II found its equalizing goal with some set piece magic between a pair of Union Academy
teammates. After earning a corner with a quick attack, Vazquez served up a perfectly placed volley into the box
that Westfield got a header on first to float it into the back of the net.
Three minutes later Union II found itself in the lead courtesy of that synchronized pressure from the front three.
As Toronto sought to slow down the match, they turned to backline passes that saw Olivas, Vazquez and Davis seek out.
A back pass to the keeper forced an arrant clearance that Davis intercepted inside the 18. A quick move later set up
the Union Academy forward’s first-ever MLS NEXT Pro goal to make it 2-1 in favor of Union II.
With a lead in front of the vocal Bridge Brigade, Union II kept the Canadian side pinned on their half of the field.
Vazquez and Westfield combined again in the 70th minute after an interception in the midfield quickly put the ball
at Vazquez’s feet. The 18-year-old patiently waited for the overlapping run to lead his teammate into the box but
the left-footed shot dipped wide of the far post.
Union II continues its homestand to begin the 2024 season next weekend when it plays host to New England Revolution II
on Sunday, March 24th. Kick off from Subaru Park is set for 3PM ET
Philadelphia Union Communications
Sunday, Mar 17, 2024, 05:15 PM
Philadelphia Union II opened their season against Toronto FC II on Sunday afternoon with a 2-1 win at Subaru Park.
Toronto opened up the scoring with a goal by Jesus Batiz in the 41st minute. In the 47th minute, Union II responded
when Academy defender Frank Westfield headed away a cross from midfielder David Vazquez. Union II extended their lead
with a 54th minute goal from forward Edward Davis, registering his first career MLS NEXT Pro goal to secure all three
points at home.
Philadelphia Union II will host New England Revolution II at Subaru Park on Sunday, March 24 (3:00 p.m. ET / Apple TV).
Philadelphia Union II (2) – Toronto FC II (1)
Subaru Park (Chester, PA)
Sunday, March 17, 2024
TODAY’S MATCH INFO
REF: Thomas Snyder
AR1: Robert Cordrey
AR2: Patrick Slane
4TH: Stephen Foster
Weather: 62 degrees and partly cloudy.
SCORING SUMMARY
TOR – Jesus Batiz (Altobelli) 41’
PHI – Frank Westfield (Vazquez) 51’
PHI – Edward Davis 54’
DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY
PHI – David Vazquez (caution) 9’
TOR – Jesus Batiz (caution) 47’
PHI – Olwethu Makanya (caution) 71’
TOR – Julian Altobelli (caution) 77’
TOR – Markus Cimermancic (caution) 79’
PHI – Jamir Berdecio (caution) 82’
PHI – Sanders Ngabo (caution) 90+1’
TOR – Ythallo Rodrigues de Oliveira (caution) 90+3’
TOR – Antony Curic (caution) 90+7’
LINEUP
Philadelphia Union II:
Andrew Rick;
Frank Westfield, Olwethu Makhanya, Neil Pierre, Jamir Berdecio;
Nick Pariano (Giovanny Sequera 73’), Kyle Tucker (Alex Perez 73’), Sanders Ngabo, David Vazquez;
Sal Olivas (Randy Meneses 90+3’), Edward Davis (Ryan Zellefrow 90+7’).
Substitutes not used: Michael Sheridan; Gavin Wetzel, John Andrus, Carlos Rojas Torres.
Toronto FC II:
Abe Rodriguez;
Antony Curic, Lazar Stefanovic (Marko Stojadinovic 64’) , Adam Pearlman (Tristan Pusztahegyi 74’);
Jesus Batiz, Markus Cimermancic, Kristjan Fortier (Ythallo Rodrigues de Oliveira 64’),
...............................................................Theo Rigopoulos (Nathaniel Edwards 46’);
Julian Altobelli, Jordan Perruzza (Dekwon Barrow 64’), Mark Fisher.
Substitutes not used: Adisa De Rosario; Matthew Catavolo.
NOTES
Academy forward Edward Davis netted his first career MLS NEXT Pro goal.
Defender Frank Westfield registered his third MLS NEXT Pro goal.
The group of Giovanny Sequera, Jamir Berdecio, Nick Pariano, Sanders Ngabo, Randy Meneses,
and Ryan Zellefrow made their first MLS NEXT Pro appearance against Toronto FC II.
Philadelphia Union II will host New England Revolution II at Subaru Park
on Sunday, March 24 (3:00 p.m. ET / Apple TV).
Philadelphia Union Communications -
@PhilaUnion
Stats
Philadelphia Union II TFC II
Shots 17 5
Shots on Goal 6 3
Blocked Shots 7 0
Total Passes 306 427
Passing Accuracy % 76.8 84.5
Corners 6 1
Total Crosses 12 3
Offsides 1 2
Goalkeeper Saves 2 4
Clearances 4 19
Fouls 19 14
Yellow Cards 4 5
Red Cards 0 0
back to 2024 TFC II menu
.
.