Chester – Teams hit speed bumps throughout the season—it happens to most of them and is just a part of sports. They go on runs. They get in ruts. Philadelphia Union II is trying to get back on track after for much of the season they were flying high. In their last five games, they are 1-3-1, with the one draw being a shootout loss. They only had one loss up until July 30, and were immaculate on the road until they dropped a 3-2 decision at Carolina Core.
Head coach Ryan Richter and his staff are hopeful the match on Sunday at home versus New England Revolution II can be a rebound for the squad and get them on the right track heading into the final stretch of the season. I spoke with him at training on Friday ahead of the match.
“Yeah, I mean, we’re in a tough run right now, you know, two losses, and then the penalty loss the other night,” Richter said. “ So for us, it’s like, this is the first time this season that we’ve had to deal with that kind of stretch. Of course, hold each other accountable, but not being, you know, finger pointing or putting the blame at each other and focus as a group to try to get out of this and get back to playing our best soccer. And that’s something that the guys have done a good job of and they’re focused in the next game. And I think they understand the importance of that—just to get us out of this streak that we’re in and start a new streak of really positive results.”
This is MLS Next Pro, so teams can be especially fluid. Top players get called up to the first team, get loaned out, go to college, or get sold. In the case of Union II, three key players in particular that left the lineup appeared to be part of the problem as they provided a lot of chance creation and could score goals as well. That being said, the moves for these players were important for their success and development, so they cannot be faulted too much, and other players have to step up.
Photo credit: Philadelphia Union II
CJ Olney was loaned to Lexington SC of the USL Championship, which was important for him to get a higher level of play since he was not getting a chance with the Union’s first team and had not made an appearance in MLS this season. Likewise, David Vazquez needed a higher level, and is flourishing on loan with San Diego FC (so well that this writer would be surprised if he returns). Cavan Sullivan has been appearing with the first team, and also spent time with Manchester City—where he will be heading in a couple years—so his appearances have been much more intermittent.
Goalkeeping and defending, on the other hand, have mostly been a strength. They have been stingy with the fewest goals allowed in Next Pro, and the only match where they allowed more than two goals, the 3-2 loss to Carolina Core, had two penalty kick goals in those three given up. The larger problem as of late has been the goal scoring—or lack thereof—and not being able to finish chances. Union II has scored three goals during the month of August, and were shut out in their losses to Red Bulls II and Chicago Fire II.
The goals have not been coming from the strikers, which is a concern. Goals have been spread out over 17 players, with striker Malik Jakupovic leading the way with six. He has not scored since July 26, however. Head coach Ryan Richter spoke of this post-game after their draw with Toronto FC II on Wednesday. “They need to take the chances,” Richter said of the strikers. “That’s what it comes down to, is get that confidence back in front of goal and you know, get on a run. You can go hot and cold first striker run.”
Union II have a crucial game coming up Sunday against New England Revolution II as they face them for the third time this season. In March, they tied 0-0 (shootout loss) in the season opener, and then also had a draw in June (2-2) that was a shootout win. Union II are in third in the Eastern Conference, and New England is currently in fifth. The East is very tight, with first place Red Bulls at 45 points, Huntsville City at second (via tiebreaker) with 43 points, Union II third with 43 points, Chicago Fire II fourth at 42. New England and Chattanooga are not far behind, each at 38 points.
“Yeah, look, they’re a good team,” Richter said of New England. “They’re one of the older teams in the league, and just that physicality that presents makes it difficult, but I think both games that we played so far this year… it was first game of the season, 0-0 draw, loss in penalties, at home, we played in the middle of the year, 2-2, and we won penalties, so we’ll see. We know that it’s going to be a tight game based off of our meetings so far this year.”
Looking at the stats, Union II are 5-1-5 at home, most recently with a 2-2 draw and loss in penalties at home. New England Revolution II are 3-4-3 on the road and have been on a good run since the teams last met at the end of June, most recently besting Red Bulls II 4-2, which actually benefited Union II.
Union II should have a solid squad on hand, and if the strikers get going, that would be key. They also could have some players back that can make a difference. Of note, Jamir Johnson was back at training after being a guest player with PSV. Giovanny Sequera was out on yellow card accumulation suspension, and his absence was felt. Kaiden Moore, the defender recently brought in on loan from Atlanta United 2, could contribute. He was on the bench Wednesday, but now that he has had a little more time to get up to speed, he could possibly take the field.
I asked Richter how Moore has been adjusting since his arrival. “Yeah, good, I mean, it’s been since he’s gotten here, it’s like with our game schedule, we haven’t done too much in training, to be honest, like too many big space, really competitive days,” Richter shared. “ We’ve only had a few days like that. But he’s doing well, I really think he fits in with the group and they’re excited to see once he starts getting some game minutes, like how he can contribute to the team.”
Depending on who is used for the first team Saturday night versus Chicago Fire could impact a few players for Union II, namely Cavan Sullivan. If he does not play much or at all with the Union, he could get time with Union II. He was impactful in the match against Toronto FC II and brought creativity that had been missing. [Update: Sullivan subbed on in the 74th minute for the Union and played a part in setting up Milan Iloski’s goal]
On the goalkeeper front, Andrew Rick is the presumed starter Saturday night for the first team with Andre Blake out with a hamstring injury that will keep him sidelined for a couple weeks reportedly. Since Oliver Semmle was loaned out to North Carolina FC this past week, who will be Rick’s back up is the question. Union head coach Bradley Carnell mentioned in his press conference Thursday how Pierce Holbrook has been performing well with Union II, which seemed to indicate it would be him. Holbrook has been the most consistent goalkeeper for Union II the last couple months since signing with them in June.
Mike Sheridan could also be called upon. Both he and Holbrook have been seen training with the first team, and Sheridan was with the squad in Spain for preseason, showing they see value in him as well. Whomever gets the call to be in the first team lineup, the Union will likely be using a short-term call up, and depending on how long Blake is out, it could be a combination of both due to the limitations of the short-term call ups.
On the opportunity for Pierce Holbrook (and Mike Sheridan) to appear with the first team, Richter was optimistic for them. It happened for Andrew Rick last season, after all, and he has thrived on the big stage.
“Yeah, I mean, you never know in this game, I think that’s what it comes down to,” Richter related. “Pierce signed, what three months ago now? And now it could be that he’s on the bench or that Mike’s on the bench. It could be either of them, and then you never know what happens in a game that can change your life. So that’s what we got to keep telling these guys, you know, it’s like, in moments that you’re frustrated, it can change like that, you know, so just, you got to keep yourself prepared, fight that piece and just be ready when your name’s called. And now hopefully that’s Pierce in the coming weeks here.”
Whoever backs up Rick could still be the goalkeeper Sunday for Union II* [see update below], but another keeper has been getting opportunities with them at training and was in the lineup last Wednesday for his first appearance this season, and could be the backup again Sunday. 17-year-old goalkeeper Alex Smith, who also appears with the Union Academy’s U-18 squad, has been training with Union II and showing a lot of promise.
When asked about what he has seen from Smith in terms of his development, Richter shared, “Yeah, I think that’s, you know, related to Oliver and then Andre going out. So he’s the next man up, so it’s kind of similar to the Pierce thing, is you don’t know when you’re going to get an opportunity. And that’s what Alex has kind of filled in. So now he needs to step up. He needs to step with his game, his focus, his professionalism, and he’s a great kid, so I think he has no problem doing all those things.”
Union II will need to be at their best on Sunday and get a result and stay competitive around the top of the table since they mostly squandered the games in hand that they had. It could be a chance to get some momentum going as they push for a good playoff spot. Catch them Sunday at 3:00 PM at Subaru Park or on MLS Season Pass on AppleTV.
*Update 8/24/25: Pierce Holbrook was the backup goalkeeper for the first team Saturday night against Chicago Fire, called up via short-term loan. He unfortunately sustained what appeared to be a non-contact knee injury during warm up and had to be carried off the field. The Union in turn had no backup keeper in their 4-0 win. We are awaiting more information on Holbrook’s injury, but one would expect Mike Sheridan will be in goal today for Union II (it’s his birthday, by the way), and Alex Smith on the bench.
Main article photo credit: Philadelphia Union II
The One Team We Agree On 
Leave a comment