Sunday afternoon brings another MLS Next Pro 2026 season gameweek, and this weekend brings along the first road trip of the season for Ryan Richter and his Union II side as they make the short trip over state lines to take on Red Bull New York II, the team that knocked Union II out of the postseason last year.
It’s been a busy week for Ryan Richter’s men off the field as multiple players from the Union II squad were called up to their respective age groups with the USYNT. Malik Jakupovic and Willyam Ferreira have both been called up to the US U17’s Training Camp in Paraguay, and Kellan LeBlanc has been called up to the US U-18 roster for the 2026 Torneio Internacional de Lisboa.
In another major piece of news this week for Ryan Richter and his Union II team, the signing of midfielder Paco Dadi on a free transfer. Paco started out in the youth systems at French club Toulouse before moving to Balma SC. He moved on to Italian club Genoa and played for their U17 and U18 teams before moving to Spain, where he represented Huesca Football School until June 2025. Paco would have featured earlier this season, but he suffered an injury at the beginning of the season, according to Coach Richter.
Union II captain Rafael Uzcátegui challanging for the ball.
Image Provided / Philadelphia Union II
Union II head into this one on the back of a home loss to league newcomers CT United. Union II started well and took the lead, but found themselves level with the visitors just after the second half began. Things went from bad to worse for Philly as midfielder Oscar Benitez was sent off for a second yellow card with 30 minutes left. CT United went on to score the eventual winner in the 86th minute through a great finish from Tanyi.
The hosts for this game, Red Bull New York II, are the defending MLS Next Pro Cup Champions and hold major bragging rights over Ryan Richter’s men when they beat Union II in last season’s postseason on their way to winning the title. The defending champions have started their 2026 season in great form, staying undefeated through three games.
Red Bull New York II started their 2026 campaign with a comfortable 4-2 win over Columbus Crew 2, they then moved on to an even easier time against Inter Miam II as they beat them 3-0. Their last game was the New York derby against NYCFC II, which finished 1-1 after 90 minutes. NYCFC II claimed the extra-point shootout 5-4, leaving them two points off the Eastern Conference leaders, Crown Legacy, heading into this game against Union II.
The game is scheduled to kick off at 5 pm ET at MSU Soccer Park and will be streamed for free to viewers worldwide on the MLS Next Pro website or the OneFootball platform.
Sal Olivas tries to progress the ball for Union II vs CT United
Image Provided / Philadelphia Union II
