NEW YORK— Union II traveled to Queens, New York looking for a result on the road after two straight losses and three matches in a row without scoring a goal. They managed to score two goals, though unfortunately one was into their own net, but they did pick up a point in a 1-1 draw and 8-7 shootout loss to NYCFC II after battling back to get the equalizer. Unlike their first team counterparts, who were playing at the same time at home, they were unable to find that go-ahead goal, but still showed some resilience to level the match.
The lineup saw the return of striker Stas Korzeniowski, who had not seen the field since May 17 as he dealt with an injury. Otherwise, many of the personnel were the same from the previous match. Malik Jakupovic was also at striker, with Eddy Davis dropping back to an attacking mid opposite Kellan LeBlanc. Timo Mendoza and Óscar Benítez were at defensive mid, while the back line had the strong group of Jordan Griffin, Rafael Uzcátegui, Finn Sundstrom, and Matheus De Paula. Pierce Holbrook was once again in goal.
As expected, there was no shortage of physicality in the match, and Griffin was the first recipient of a booking in the 10th minute for a hard tackle, and it would be far from the last yellow card for the contest.
The first half was largely controlled by NYCFC II, who brought an onslaught on goal in the 16th minute. The Union II defense blocked a few shots, and Holbrook came up with his first big save on the first real chance for either team. NYCFC II saw a few more chances, but Union II finally saw their own in the 26th minute when Korzeniowski’s shot was saved.
Holbrook came up huge once again with a save in the 30th minute, followed by more in the 37th, 38th, and 41st minutes. Union finally brought some pressure in the one minute of stoppage time, and in the last moments before halftime, De Paula crossed the ball in front of the goal, but Union II were unable to finish it. At the half, Union II were outshot 15-3, but Holbrook’s heroics had made the difference to keep the match scoreless.
Unfortunately, there was nothing Holbrook could do to stop the unfortunate deflection off Mendoza that went in for an own goal in the 51st minute to give NYCFC II the 1-0 lead. Certainly not the sort of first pro goal Mendoza, who has been showing tremendous growth, had in mind. As Union II continued to battle back, Korzeniowski was shown a yellow in the 58th minute for a foul.
Chris Harmon made his first change, bringing on Giovanny Sequera in the 64th minute for LeBlanc. Shortly after, Sequera pushed into Juan Ponce’s back, to which the latter took offense and shoved Sequera to the ground, with both earning yellow cards for the incident. This was followed a minute later by Benítez being shown a yellow card. These moments proved to be ones that would come back to haunt them.
Union II finally got their goal when Sequera sent the ball into the box for Griffin, who then crossed it and found the head of De Paula, who blasted it into the back of the net to draw the match even 1-1 in the 80th minute.
Harmon made a triple sub in the 81st/82nd minute, replacing Korzeniowski, Mendoza, and Griffin with Sal Olivas, Abdoulaye Diop, and Kaiden Moore. After nine minutes of stoppage time was announced, Willyam Ferreira subbed on for Davis.
In the 90+8, Benítez fouled Luka Sunjic, who was running on goal, earning him a second yellow and a sending off. It got worse when Sequera took offense to being knocked to the ground and in a moment that could have used more self-discipline, retaliated and was sent off with a second yellow in the 90+11. Not only did these events leave Union II with only nine men, it also means neither of them can play against NYCFC II on Decision Day.
Regulation finally ended, with the score still knotted at one, sending the teams to a shootout to decide the extra point.
First up was Cooper Flax for the Pigeons who sent his shot to the bottom right, with Holbrook reading it right but missing. Malik Jakupovic followed for Union II with a shot that went high and central to get past Tomás Romero.
Peter Molinari and Rafael Uzcátegui followed in the second round, with both scoring. Kevin Pierre and Kaiden Moore were next with well-struck shots, each finding the back of the net. Joseph Suchecki and Willyam Ferreira kept it level in the fourth round, with both making their shots. Juan Ponce scored in the fifth round, putting the pressure on Matheus De Paula to score to keep the shootout going—which he did.
With the shootout at 5-5, Jonathan Lopez scored, making it Finn Sundstrom’s turn to bear the pressure. The center back’s shot just got past Romero, who had guessed right, and the shootout continued. Luka Sunjic and Abdoulaye Diop each scored, moving it to an eighth round. Max Murray scored for the Pigeons, leaving it up to Sal Olivas, whose shot to the bottom left was saved by Romero.
Thus, Union II had to settle for one point, leaving them still in 12th in the conference with 27 points. Holbrook did an admirable job, keeping the squad in the match with his seven saves, but once again, Union II had trouble scoring. De Paula’s goal was fantastic and a bright spot for an otherwise tumultuous game.
They will next face a team they beat back in March, FC Cincinnati 2, at home next Sunday, July 9, at 12:00 PM at Subaru Park. With FCC2 struggling to much and in second to last place, Union II will need to seize the opportunity.
Main article photo courtesy of Philadelphia Union II.
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