Philadelphia Union miss the playoffs for the first time in 6 seasons, while Union II defeated NYCFC II in the MLS Next Pro Quarterfinals to advance.
Going into Decision Day on Saturday, multiple scenarios existed that would allow the Union to make another playoff appearance. All required that the Union win, and they would need help from other teams. Too many dropped points during a long season left the Union in a rather unenviable position.
Prior to kick off, the Union recognized Kai Wagner for becoming the all time MLS assist leader, at 51. For all the ups and downs of the season, Kai was a bright spot and arguably one of the most consistently strong players on the squad.
The Union got off to a fast start in the with a beautiful assist from Jack McGlynn to Quinn Sullivan in the second minute to make it 1-0 Union. Cincinnati then began pressing the action and creating chances in the box. In the 6th minute, Andre Blake made a huge save to keep the game scoreless.
In the 23rd minute, Tai Baribo put a dangerous shot on net, but FC Cincinatti’s goalkeeper Roman Celentano made a nice save. However, Cincinnati kept the pressure on the Union holding them to only 35% possession though 25 minutes of the match.
Right before the end of first half stoppage time, the Union were unable to clear the ball out of the defensive 18 led to a Yamil Asad who buried it in the back of the net. This was about 30 seconds past when the half should have seemingly ended, so this failure to clear the ball proved very costly.
Unfortunately, the second half did not start any better when less than a minute into the second half, the Union conceded an own goal by Jakob Glesnes to put FCC up 2-1. The Union had come full circle as the season began with an own goal by Glesnes, and it would also end on one.
The Union tried to muster a late second half rally, however, they were unable to get anything in the back of the net as the full time whistle blew. Charlotte had helped the Union by defeating DC United, meaning the Union just had to win and they would be in the playoffs. Alas, it was not to be.
With that defeat, the Union finished the season in 12th place and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2017.
A lot of questions and discussions will be occurring into the off season, and it will be an interesting season ending press conference and a long off season for Union fans.
Union II vs NYCFC II
Now on to something maybe more uplifting. The Union II played host to NYCFC II on Sunday, looking for their first home playoff victory in the second team era.
The game started with Union II pressing and trying to get an early goal, and creating a few chances including a through ball by David Vasquez to Markus Anderson, for which the forward was called offside. Union II kept the pressure on as a beautiful corner kick was saved by NYCFC II’s keeper.
Moments later, Anderson would have another attempt on a Frankie Westfield breakway, but this was snuffed out by the defense. NYCFC II countered with an attack of their own that wound up in a dangerous spot, but the combination of Neil Pierre and Carlos Rojas broke up the chance.
Union II kept up the pressure however, trying to break down NYCFC II’s defense, and had another really nice chance when Cavan Sullivan broke into the box and crossed it out to midfielder David Vasquez who put it over the net.
That was followed up by another offsidescall on Frankie Westfield that negated a Cavan Sullivan goal. Through the first 20 minutes of the match, one could have argued that Union II could have easily been up 2-0 on the match.
Cavan Sullivan continued to be a threat inside the 18 yard box as the game reached the 30 minute mark. Both teams were at 3 shots, however Union II had only had one on target, which again was a surprise considering the amount of opportunities they were creating.
As halftime neared, both teams were still looking for the first goal. NYCFC II started countering and creating chances, and almost got one via a header that was saved by Andrew Rick who sprawled out to make the save.
With the start of the second half, Nick Pariano started off by threading a ball through the defense to Markus Anderson who could not get a touch on it and it fell to the keeper. Moments later, David Vazquez’s shot was tipped over the net by NYCFC II keeper Alex Rando.
Finally, in the 85th Minute CJ Olney broke the scoreless tie with a blast off a Neil Pierre assist to make it 1-0 Union as the crowd erupted. Union II would hold on to seal the victory and moved on to the semi-finals of the MLS Next Pro playoffs. As #1 seed FC Cincinnati was defeated, Union II are the top remaining seed.
The Union will select on Tuesday who their next match up in the playoff’s will be and can be viewed online at https://www.mlsnextpro.com/ at 3pm.
Union II Postgame Interviews
Jillian Almoney contributed to this article.
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