Coming off a 3-0 victory over Crown Legacy last Sunday, Union II traveled to Historic Crew Stadium to face Columbus Crew 2 for the second time this season. With some players unavailable due to the mandated break for MLS players, some having been away at the MLS Next Cup with the U18s, and Gavin Wetzel having departed for college, the pool of players was much depleted- but this was also seen with the previous match only having three field players on the bench. As a result, Nick Pariano was moved to right back, where he has played several times this season. Pierce Holbrook got his second start in a row in goal. Henry Bernstein returned from having played at the MLS Next Cup with the U18s, but was on the bench. Once again, Union II proved their quality over quantity as they dispatched Crew 2 3-1 on a very warm Saturday.
Union II got right to work pressing in the 1st minute, and Sal Olivas sent a header over the crossbar after some nice setup by CJ Olney. A few minutes later, Olivas went on a run down the right, passed to Olney, and then Eddy Davis took a shot on target that was saved. The offensive pressure continued as David Vazquez got the ball on a Crew 2 turnover and was making a break for the goal when he was tripped up by Dylan Randazzo, who was shown a yellow card for the foul. CJ Olney took the resulting free kick that got through the wall, but just barely went wide of the goal.
Despite not having much early possession, Crew 2 went up 1-0 on a goal by Owen Presthus in the 22nd minute. It was only the eighth goal allowed all season by Union II, who by far have the best goal differential in MLS Next Pro at 17. It looked like Crew 2 were going to score again a couple minutes later as Holbrook initially made a great save, and then Cristian Ortiz appeared to have gotten a shot that went in, however it was ruled offside.
Union II would respond in the 30th minute as Sal Olivas took a shot that deflected, and then Leandro Soria got the rebound and knocked it in to level the match 1-1. Holbrook came up with a nice save in the 43rd and the first half ended all tied up. Union II had outshot Crew 2 12-4 and had six shots on goal, but it still seemed like it was anyone’s game at that point.
Union II came out firing in the second half and went up 2-1 in the 48th minute with a goal off a header by Giovanny Sequera, his third of the season to tie Sal Olivas and Stas Korzeniowski for the team lead in goals scored. The Venezuelan was very aggressive all game, and brought considerable energy. He was later named player of the game by the broadcast crew, and his play as of late has been really picking up, so he will be one to watch moving forward.
In the 57th minute, Ryan Richter would make his first sub for Union II, replacing Rafael Uzcátegui, who had just picked up a yellow card, with Óscar Benítez. Additional substitutions came in the 62nd minute as Stas Korzeniowski replaced Sal Olivas, and Henry Bernstein replaced Leandro Soria. The only unused substitute would be backup keeper Mike Sheridan. Holbook got a nice save on Presthus in the 71st minute as Crew 2 were really starting to get chances.
Moments later, however, three was the magic number. Eddy Davis III was able to break away after a great ball from Korzeniowski and score his third goal of the season, and join the tie for team leaders in goals, putting Union II up 3-1 in the 72nd minute. Crew 2 would get a couple more chances, but Holbrook and the defense were up to the task.
Just before stoppage time ended, Holbrook was shown a yellow for time wasting, and shortly after, the final whistle was blown. Union II got their sixth win of the season to pull into third place in the East at 24 points, leaving Red Bulls II and Chattanooga ahead of them, but with Union II having two and three games in hand over them, respectively. It was also another away victory for the squad, who remain undefeated on the road- the only team in the East to boast that stat. They are sixth overall in MLS Next Pro.
Union II return home to Subaru Park to face New England Revolution II, who they drew in the season opener, but lost in a penalty shootout for the extra point. The match will be Thursday, June 26 at 7:00 PM, and will be the first of a four-game home stand.
Main article photo courtesy of Columbus Crew 2.
The One Team We Agree On 
Leave a comment