The regular season is winding down for Union II, but the action is ramping up. Coming off an impressive 5-2 win over Chicago Fire II last Sunday, they look to keep the momentum going. While they have clinched a playoff spot and are currently in second place in the Eastern Conference of MLS Next Pro, playoff positioning and home field advantage are still on the line. They are only three points behind first place New York Red Bulls II, but New England Revolution II is nipping on their heels at one point behind.
With two games left to play, they face Toronto FC II for the third time this season, but the first time on the road. In their first meeting back in July, Union II capitalized on a weakened TFC II that had lost their starting goalkeeper and had exhausted their substitutions early. Union II were on a hot streak at the time and firing on all cylinders, winning 5-0, including a brace from Malik Jakupovic.
In August for the second time around, it was a tougher match. The squad gave up a goal in the 3rd minute, battled back to take a 2-1 lead, and then conceded the game-tying goal and eventually sending it to a shootout that TFC II won. Union II were in a midst of a rough stretch and trying to get back to their form. They have since gotten back on track, it appears, but they cannot take their opponent lightly.
Now, as they meet Friday night in Toronto, the hosts are trying to stay above the playoff line and position themselves as they are in seventh place but in a crowded field of contenders. TFC II does have a -6 goal differential, and are 5-4-4 at home. If Union II can keep the goals coming and get three points, that would go a long way in their standings. They are 7-3-3 on the road—they actually have more away wins than home wins by one—so they have proven they can handle the travel.
Union II head coach Ryan Richter spoke ahead of the match about what they may expect to face. An advantage Union II had last Sunday was being at home, and the first team had been at home. Players like Cavan Sullivan and Neil Pierre, who had been on the bench for the first team, were available and played for Union II the next day. TFC II may enjoy that same advantage this time around, but Union II actually has a less ideal situation playing the day before the first team and north of the border.
“They caused us a lot of problems in last game, they have good players,” Richter said. “Especially in this league, with teams at home, you know, a couple of the guys that they’ve had between first team and second team this point of the year, and at home, they’re probably going to be with the second team for this weekend, but we’ll see how that plays out on Friday.”
Building momentum
Union II could be getting hot at the right time if last Sunday was any indication. Having momentum going into the final stretch and the playoffs would be huge.
“Last game, the two goals the end were just annoying, but I think we got to a point where that was the type of performance that we got, kind of got used to expecting in the middle of the year, and we got really got back to that in the game against Chicago,” Richter said. “So that’s the same idea—is to build on that, put another good team performance together, [Toronto has a] different shape than Chicago, and that does matter for us, how we prepare for the game, and our tactics going into it. But I think we looked a lot more cohesive than we had in the in the previous couple of weeks. So that was a real positive, and just try to build on that.”
Strikers getting on a streak
The strikers finding their form could be key, and with Stas Korzeniowski scoring a brace, and Sal Olivas and Malik Jakupovic each with a goal in the last match, they are going in the right direction. Eddy Davis also was contributing well, though he will not be available in Toronto as he is in Chile as a training player with the U-20 World Cup squad.
For Olivas, getting some first team experience has benefited him. “I think it helps his confidence,” Richter said. “You know, I don’t know if he’s got the minutes to, like, really grow so much as a player, which is cool. That’s where he’s at right now, and that has been a very positive thing for him this year, and it definitely helps with your confidence, and that matters a lot, especially for a striker.”
There was a time this season when the strikers were not getting the goals, and the score line showed it. Against Chicago, it was key, and Richter was pleased with the performance. “That was probably one of the best games. You have four goals from our strikers. Malik knows what to do when he gets in front of goal, and I don’t think that’s changing.
“And you know, Stas has put together two really good performances in a row, so that’s been probably his two best performances a year. And he needs to keep, keep building on that. So that’s been really positive. And Sal, the work that he’s done all year, and then they get on the score sheet again, that was great. So overall, very positive from all the strikers, Eddy included, even though he wasn’t on the score sheet—he came in and he worked.”
Richter added more about Korzeniowski, who now has three goals in the last two matches:
“I think he it took a little time, but he’s starting to use his skills as what a striker is asked to do at a professional level, and it’s not to drop back in the midfield and do step overs. It’s to play on the last line, hold the ball up, run into the box, run behind the last line, lead the line, score goals.
“And I think he, because he’s such a good player, he kind of, and maybe his role in college was, he fancies himself a little bit of a playmaker, and it’s like trying to get through to his mind. You don’t have to do that here, you know. Leave that to the little guys that are running around you, and you get your big [self] in the box and score the goals.
“So it was a lot of conversations, a lot of video. And credit to him. I think this is starting to click. So you’ve seen two really good performances in a row, and hopefully he can continue that. With his skill set, he could probably play at a very high level as a striker. We’ll see exactly what that level is. But if he plays in the role of a striker, he can do it at a higher level than as a playmaker, in my opinion.”
Jordan Griffin’s growth
Since Isaiah LeFlore was loaned to Detroit City FC, 16 year old Jordan Griffin, a defender who is also with the Union Academy’s U-18s, has stepped into a starting left back role. He has one goal on the season and seems to get better each game. Between the experience he is getting with the Academy, Union II, and with National Team call ups, he is learning and gaining confidence.
“Yeah, if you compare Jordan in his first game of this year, Red Bull at home, he played about 30 to 35 minutes, to the Jordan that played this past weekend, I think that everyone can agree that the he’s shown tremendous growth this year as far as tactically, being aggressive to attack forward, being fully connected to the game, playing his the position the right way,” Richter said.
With Richter having coached with the Academy and being involved with The SWAG program, he goes back a long way with Griffin and his family. “I’ve known him since he’s eight years old, and he’s always been a talented soccer player. And now it’s the end of the stage where it’s now you got to be really disciplined in your position and really understand the nuances of that position. And he’s he’s grown in that a lot this year. Defensive work has improved a ton, and, yeah, overall, it’s just been a fun story. And I’m proud of him, happy for him, happy for his family.
“And he needs to just keep this going. He needs to keep this going because the goals are bigger than to be a solid player at Union II, and we’re going to keep pushing him for a much higher level than that. So proud of him, happy for the growth that he’s had this year, and hopefully he can continue to build on that and finish out the year in a really strong way.”
Giovanny Sequera getting opportunities
Another outside back on the squad making a splash, who actually transitioned from the midfield this season, is Giovanny Sequera. The 19 year old from Venezuela who is on loan from Metropolitanos FC took on the right back role after Gavin Wetzel departed for college. He has been a scrappy player with a lot of hustle, and has scored three goals.
He did get to train with the first team this week due to the absence of Frankie Westfield, who is off with the U-20s in Chile. Bradley Carnell noted this in his press conference ahead of the match with DC United. “He, for sure, held more than his own. He was fun to have around the group,” Carnell shared. As he continues his improvement in as a defender, gaining that experience playing with the first team could prove invaluable. It could also perhaps let the organization see what they have in him, and if they want to pursue having him in Philadelphia after this season when his loan is up.
For now, he is contributing in a big way with Union II as the squad aims for success in the postseason. They will play at York Lions Stadium on the York University Campus in Toronto on Friday, September 26 at 7:00 PM. The match will stream on MLSNEXTPro.com.
Main article photo courtesy of Philadelphia Union II
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