It’s a battle for first place on Monday evening as Philadelphia Union II travel to Montclair State University to take on New York Red Bulls II. The two Eastern Conference teams are tied in points at the top of the table, but Red Bulls II have two more wins over Union II (who have one game in hand, however). Union II has been a force all summer, and are looking to continue that belief and tenacity as they march toward fall and the playoffs. They face a big test Monday at Red Bulls II, as well as Friday at red-hot Chicago Fire II, so it is a crucial week for the squad.

What the stats say

Red Bulls II (12-4-4) score a lot of goals (49) and are second in the East in that category behind Chicago Fire II. They also concede a lot goals, however— third-most in the East at 42, leaving their goal differential at 7. Their home record is 6-1-2, so it will certainly be a tall task for the visitors.

Meanwhile, Union II (10-2-7) boasts the best goal differential in MLS Next Pro at 28. They have scored 45 goals and conceded 17. A lot of credit has to be given to a stalwart defense and excellent goalkeeping that has featured four different keepers this season (Andrew Rick, Oliver Semmle, Mike Sheridan, and Pierce Holbrook). Holbrook was in goal in the most recent match, where he recorded his fourth clean sheet in a row.

Comparing the matchups and personnel

When the two teams faced each other way back in March at Subaru Park, the match ended in a 1-1 draw. It included a first half goal from Cavan Sullivan, a straight red to Gavin Wetzel in the 80th minute, leaving Union II to finish it out down a man, and then a stoppage time goal by Tanner Rosborough that tied it up. The match went to a penalty shootout, where Andrew Rick made two saves and Rosborough missed the deciding shot to deliver the 3:1 shootout victory and extra point to Union II.

The Union II lineup that day was markedly different from what Ryan Richter has to work with this time. David Vazquez and CJ Olney are loaned out to San Diego FC and Lexington SC, respectively. Zach Mastrodimos, Henry Bernstein, and Gavin Wetzel are off to college and Ramzi Qawasmy is no longer with the team. With the first team playing in the US Open Cup on Wednesday, Andrew Rick and Cavan Sullivan— two important players in the previous matchup— may be needed for that. Of course, there are plenty of players who have stepped up to fill the vacated positions, and have done it well.

This time, Richter will have some key players available that were not in the lineup when they faced Red Bulls previously. Willyam Ferreira, Malik Jakupovic, Jamir Johnson, Noah Probst, and Pierce Holbrook could all bolster the squad. Jakupovic has quickly become the team’s leading goal scorer at six goals. You can read more about him in my recent article. On how Probst, a midfielder recently loaned to Union II, has been training and what he can bring to the squad, Richter shared:

“He has to definitely train at a higher intensity, is what we would say so far for that position. We’re really looking for a ball-winning type player. And he’s worked hard to get better in that. 
And that’s what he needs to continue to improve, if he’s going to contribute to this group, because that’s really, you know, what we kind of value in that position is that intensity, the ball winning, covering the ground. And he has the capacity to do that, we believe. We’re going to continue to work with him to kind of get him ready of what’s expected for that role in our system.”

Additionally, Giovanny Sequera, who was on the bench but did not play the last time these teams met, has embraced the right back role after being moved there from midfield, and brings a special energy to the field.

The defense, however, will be missing a key component in Rafael Uzcátegui as the center back will be suspended for the match due to yellow card accumulation. He made his debut the match after Union II played Red Bulls, so he will miss playing them again, and it is indeed unfortunate as he has been phenomenal at center back all season. Richter has some options. Óscar Benítez can play center back, though he has been thriving at playing up in midfield lately. Isaiah LeFlore has played at center back, so he could be shifted over there and then Jordan Griffin could play at left back. While Uzcátegui will surely be missed, no doubt the squad will play with the next-man-up mentality as they have shown.

Ryan Richter’s thoughts on the matchup

Richter knows it will be not be easy Monday evening. Their opponent has had a really strong stretch, aside from the 9-2 drubbing by Chicago Fire II that came after an early red card that rendered them down a man for most of the match. Red Bulls II installed Michael Bradley as their coach in June, which has seemingly had a positive effect. Richter is no stranger to Bradley, as the two were teammates at Toronto FC for a time.

“Yeah, you know, they have been kind of top of the top of the league for a good stretch now, so they’re one of the best teams in the league, so it’s gonna be a really difficult game for us,” Richter said. “
They’re different than the last time we played them. Obviously, it’s a different coach and playing a different system than the first time when we played them. But they have quality players, you know, and they play a nice style of soccer. 
So It’s gonna be difficult for us, if we’re at our best, though, I think that we can have a successful game, but it’s definitely going to be one that we have to be at our best for.”

Richter has noticed a little bit of change since Bradley took the reins at Red Bulls II, and commented on their style of play. “Definitely trying to control the game a little bit more with the ball and more short passes through midfield. Some of the times they have been pressing are a little bit different as far as like, which players attack in which areas.”

“But, you know, like I said, still they’re still playing at a really good level,” Richter continued. “You know, they had the one game that was kind of an anomaly, the random nine goal game. That was after an early red card, so I can’t really take much out of that one. 
Like, look at the other games. You know, they’re getting results and playing a good style. So he has them in a really good way right now.”

Richter certainly has his Union II squad in a good way as well. They had a nine-game unbeaten streak that ended in a 3-2 loss to Carolina Core recently, but are unbeaten in 10 out of their last 11 games, and are coming off a 1-0 victory over FC Cincinnati 2. In that match, Kellan LeBlanc scored what would be MLS Next Pro’s goal of the matchweek on a set piece stunner. It was the only goal, but when Union II got it done and keep learning and getting stronger as they go. The team is focused and ready from what I saw observing them at training last week, so buckle up for a duel between two heavyweights in the East vying for first.

The One Team We Agree On will be traveling to the match, so follow us for updates on Twitter/X and Instagram (@totwag; Jillian: @silly__jilly, Kyle @coachalmoney). You can catch the action on Monday, August 11 on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV at 7:00 PM.

Main article photo credit: Philadelphia Union II