A big test is coming for Union II this Saturday as the squad takes on first place Chattanooga FC on the road at Finley Stadium. Union II currently are the only unbeaten team in the Eastern Conference (2-0-3) and sit in 7th place after most recently defeating NYCFC II 4-1. Chattanooga is coming off their first loss of the season, where they fell to Columbus Crew 2 by a score of 3-0.

When asked about his takeaways from the NYCFC II match and where the team has improved, head coach Ryan Richter remarked:

“We look far more organized as a team. I think the overall work against the ball was really clear about when we were in pressing moments and when we were more organized behind it, kind of what we talked about the week prior going into it. So we have to keep building on that. 
And, you know, the harder we are to break down, the more in the attacking half of the field, the more chances that we create in our style of play. So it was really positive with that. And, you know, try to give the guys confidence. 
You see what’s possible when you work as a team like this. Everyone gets opportunities. And they can really shine as individuals when we’re organized as a team.”

A big part of the the recent success of Union II lies in them not only scoring goals, but scoring them in bunches lately. After drawing the first three matches with scores of 0-0, 1-1, and 2-2, they exploded for five goals in their home match versus Atlanta United 2 and then four against NYCFC. The contributions are coming from all over the lineup, with Stas Korzeniowski, Sal Olivas, Cavan Sullivan, and Nick Pariano with two goals apiece.

When it comes to the lineup, Richter has striker options aplenty. Stas and Sal have been the consistent starting forwards, with Markus Anderson and Eddy Davis coming off the bench, though each of them have battled some injuries early. Eddy was Union II’s top goal scorer in 2024, but is still looking to get his first goal of 2025, as is Markus. Eddy had mentioned in an interview at training with Kyle Almoney that Coach asks him to make an impact when he gets on the pitch. Richter noted how Eddy made a big impact the last two games with assists and passes that he was making. Richter stated:

“If you look at the last two games that Eddy came in, the plays that he made-his biggest difference. The assist he adds for CJ against Atlanta- he picks really deep, drives at the defenders, and finds the right timing and quality of pass to lead to CJ’s goal. And then, you know, he doesn’t get credit for this assist, but kind of a second assist, I’ll call it for the fourth goal in New York City when he holds this ball up for Kellan. Really clever, one touch layoff.

Kellan can then find Gio [Sequera] for the ball behind that goes for the goal.

So it’s these little moments, whether you play 90 minutes, 30 minutes, 10 minutes, finding a way to make an impact, and not feeling like you have to do everything. You just have to do your actions right and be part of the team. 
And some days as a striker, the chances will fall to you. Some days they won’t, but you have to consistently be a threat and do what the team is asking and then take the chances when they come to you.”

On Sal and Stas, Richter was very complimentary of their recent form, and talked of the biggest improvement being that they have been scoring. He detailed areas they could grow in:

“I would say that there’s still too many chances that they don’t take. So for both of them, the work rate’s been really good.

The organization against the ball to lead the line has been good. But to be a striker in MLS, you’re not getting five chances in the game. You get one and you have to take it.

And that’s where they’re at in their development right now is being a little bit more ruthless and clinical when they do get opportunities in front of goal.”

Union II will certainly need all four of those strikers to step up in the match at Chattanooga depending on how Richter chooses to use them, but who will be rounding out the match day lineup could be slightly trickier this time. The Union play at CF Montreal on Saturday at 7:30 PM, meaning both squads will be playing at the same time in different locations. On managing the roster for the match and if some Academy players may get a chance, Richter stated:

“As always, the first team is the most important in our club and what they need to be successful and to continue the development of our players. 
We support that 100% and then we kind of go from there. So our role as a second team is to listen to what they need, support them in any way. And then the opportunities will pop up for a new guy, when maybe some guys aren’t included in the Union II squad because they’re needed for the first team game, which is great, and we hope that we get to the point in the year where all our players are needed in the first team games and are making a difference. 
But that’s kind of part of the job. And then it’s the next guy up opportunity and the chance for a chance to take it.”

One can surmise from recent first team matches that players that are more likely to make the trip to Montreal could be Cavan Sullivan, Neil Pierre, and Andrew Rick- three key pieces to the Union II lineup. That being said, there are players that can step in. This could be a big opportunity for players like Kellan LeBlanc, Óscar Benítez, and Ramzi Qawasmy, plus several of the Academy players. Who will be in net is also a big question: If Rick goes to Montreal, will it be Oliver Semmle or Mike Sheridan, with the latter not having gotten any minutes yet. Jojo Elliott has made an appearance on the bench so far, but has not seen action. Defense and goalkeeping has been strong, though they have allowed a late goal in three of their five games. On conceding the late goals, Richter commented:

“Yeah, disappointing they give the goals up in the in the last two games, especially with big leads. 
But the other team is trying to score too. There’s things we can certainly clean up. Little plays we can do. We can get better at keeping our focus focused through the 90 minutes. 
We want to get the clean sheet, especially when the game’s kind of dead. We want to make sure that when it’s over, it’s with a zero in the last two games. It’s like the goals we conceded are ones that may be a lack of focus, but we need to keep that even if it’s if it’s a 4-0 game. We need to keep our focus and not concede in the end of the game there.”

Chattanooga will be a tough opponent, and Richter noted the quality of their players, really good organization with the ball, and chance creation. “You see the chances that they’ve been able to create and when they get into dangerous areas and create overloads, why they end up executing from dangerous positions, and then really committing numbers to get into the box to create situations where they get guys in the areas where you score.”

Last season, Union II came away with all three points in a home match the only time they faced Chattanooga, winning 3-1 with goals from Eddy Davis, Cavan Sullivan, and Leandro Soria, and Mike Sheridan in goal. Who will step up this year? Tune in to the match on Saturday, May 3 at 7:00 PM on AppleTV as part of MLS Season Pass to find out.

Main article photo credit: Philadelphia Union II