CHESTER, Pa.— On a day that brought spring sunshine and a comfortable temperature to the banks of the Delaware, it was the perfect setting for a Friday friendly between two squads with many connections. As Philadelphia Union II do not have an MLS Next Pro match until next Wednesday, and USL League 2 side Ocean City Nor’easters are wrapping up their preseason, the two teams squared off at the WSFS Bank Sportsplex, with Union II coming away with the 2-0 victory.
Unlike last year, which required the match to be moved inside the field house due to inclement weather, this year’s version got to be a bit of a test-drive on the field that Union II will play on in their next four home matches. The club announced today that due to World Cup preparations and hosting the Ivory Coast national team, the matches on 5/13 (New England Revolution II), 5/17 (Columbus Crew 2), 5/23 (Atlanta United 2), and 6/14 (NYCFC II) will be held at the Sportsplex.
Union II head coach Ryan Richter, a former player for the Nor’easters himself that still holds some records there, had a somewhat rotated lineup as one may expect for a friendly to allow some players to get much-needed minutes. Rafael Uzcátegui, who has played every minute of every game, got some well-deserved rest. Also spectating for the day were Kellan LeBlanc and Giovanny Sequera. Per the MLS injury report that came out later, Eddy Davis is still dealing with his hamstring injury and is out, and it appeared Finn Sundstrom and Malik Jakupovic may be traveling with the first team as they were training with them this morning.
Stas Korzeniowski and Sal Olivas were at striker—a familiar duo with plenty of firepower. Midfield, however, saw Tyler Gladstone, Willyam Ferreira, Abdoulaye Diop, and Mateus De Paula. Jordan Griffin, wearing the captain’s armband, was at left back as usual. Oliver Pratt returned to right back after not getting minutes lately, as did Kaiden Moore at center back. Óscar Benítez, who has been more at midfield lately, was also at center back, and Pierce Holbrook was in goal.
On the bench for Union II were Timo Mendoza, Andrew Craig, Nehan Hasan, Mamoutou Berthé, Samuel Gallego, and Alex Smith (GK). Of note, Diop and Gallego featured with Union II for the first time, at least unofficially. They have been with the Union’s U-16 and U-18 squads, and have had USYNT call ups.
Ocean City’s game day roster included Roko Branko Mrvelj, Charlie Davis, Alan De Paula, Mark Donaldson, Gabe Faust, Jermaine Fordah (GK), Lucas Foreman, Lorenzo Grispello, Adrian Jogerst, Alex Kara (GK), Robiston Lukau, Jacques Mason, Khayr Ogunsanya, Fabio Orozco, Albert Shermer, Stelios Starakis, Brayden Strait, Michel Tentchou, Michael Tzimoulis, and Connor Winters. Fordah, who hails from England, is trialing with them and has USL experience.
They have 14 players returning from the 2025 season, and several new additions. Many on the squad are collegiate soccer players, and several with Union connections. Mason and Tzimoulis are Union Academy products, and Owen Moore and Devon Stopek, who were not in the lineup, played for Union II in the past.
The first half was pretty back-and-forth, and the Union II defense was put to the test at times, getting some clearances from the defense, and Holbrook making some easy saves. The young squad adapted to the level of play against what were a lot of college players, but it was also a different intensity from what they are used to in Next Pro.
After some pressure on the Nor’easter goal was repelled, the visitors went on a counter and forced a nice save by Holbrook, followed by another quality save moments later, and a clearance by Griffin. Union II kept pressing, including a big shot by Korzeniowski that deflected out for a corner, which was the best chance for Union II at that point. Ocean City were awarded the match’s first yellow card for a foul just outside the box. Ferreira then took the free kick that just missed the goal. Union II’s Moore was later on shown a yellow for a foul around midfield as OC were running on goal. Despite several opportunities for Union II, the first half ended scoreless.
Union II made three changes at the half, replacing Gladstone, De Paula, and Griffin with Gallego, Berthé, and Craig. Moore moved over to left back and Craig was at center back. Pierce took the captain’s armband at that point.
Union II forced two early corners, but nothing came of them. Another yellow card was awarded to Union II, this time to Benítez apparently for something he said. Meanwhile, the Nor’easters had trouble getting many chances as Union II made it tough to break through.
The stalemate was finally broken when Olivas opened the scoring about 10 minutes into the second half after Ferreira and Moore’s shots were blocked, and he sent home the rebound. Union II were getting the bulk of the chances in the match as Olivas and Korzeniowski made several attempts.
Another sub for Union II as Korzeniowski was replaced by Nehan Hasan. Pratt went down to the ground grabbing his knee on a play midway through the second half, requiring the attention of the training staff. He walked off the pitch under his own power. Lennon Harrington came on to replace him, playing at right back—not his usual position but he proved capable. The final substitution came as Mendoza replaced Diop in the midfield.
It may not have been an official appearance, but Gallego made his first Union II minutes count when he made it 2-0 after a spin and then slotted it into the bottom right of the net. That scoreline would hold as Union II finished out the match strong.
It was a bit of momentum for the squad and a confidence boost for some of the players who have not been getting the minutes as they prepare for their next match. Union II will return to the Sportsplex on Wednesday as they host New England Revolution II at 7:00 PM.
Main article photo courtesy of the Ocean City Nor’easters.
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