Union II played the first-ever match at their temporary home, the WSFS Bank Sportsplex, on Wednesday evening, hosting New England Revolution II in their first meeting of the 2026 season.
Philadelphia Union II played its first-ever home match at the WSFS Bank Sportsplex against New England Revolution II.
Image Provided / Philadelphia Union II
Union II were looking to bounce back from their last game, a 2-1 defeat to bitter rivals RBNY II, and Ryan Richter made a few changes to the starting XI. Andrew Rick was called back up to the senior squad, so Pierce Holbrook took the starting job between the sticks, while Andrew Craig made his first start of the season, too. Sal Olivas came into the starting eleven to replace Stas Korzeniowski, who was recalled to the senior squad.
Union II fell to Revolution II in midweek MLS Next Pro action.
Image Provided / Philadelphia Union II
The opening stages of the game were very closely contested, with both teams looking to get off to a quick start and score first. Sal Olivas was booked for a foul within the first 10 minutes, and then Pierce Holbrook made a great save just before the 20th minute from New England’s Cristiano Oliveira.
Jordan Griffin joined Olivas in the referee’s book just before the half-hour mark, and then the game collapsed for Ryan Richter’s side as Sal Olivas received his 2nd booking of the game and was sent off, leaving Union II to play the remaining hour of the game down to 10 men.
The way Ryan Richter’s men played the remaining minutes of the first half made it look like New England was the team that went down to 10 men, with Kellan LeBlanc going close after 36 minutes, but his shot was blocked, and then right before half-time, captain Rafael Uzcategui watched as his header went soaring over the bar from a massive chance to put his team in the lead.
After going a man down early, Philadelphia Union II couldn't find a goal against New England Revolution II.
Image Provided / Philadelphia Union II
New England ramped up the pressure in the 2nd half, and Pierce Holbrook was called into action a number of times throughout the 2nd half. Union II struggled to get a foothold in the 2nd half, and it was clear the man disadvantage was playing a major part in Ryan Richter’s side’s struggles. In the 70th minute, Coach Richter opted to hand a professional debut to Union Academy player Abdoulaye Diop in the hopes that Diop could help his team get back into the game.
Pierce Holbrook ended the game with a career high seven recorded saves in the game, with the goalkeeper trying his best to save a point for his team, and two of those seven saves came late on in the 2nd half, the first denying Cristiano Oliveira again, and then the second save denied Carlos Zambrano. Unfortunately for Holbrook, his efforts came to nothing when New England center back Jake Shannon scored in the 86th minute to give his team the lead and eventually the win over Union II.
After two losses in a row, Union II slips down the Eastern Conference standings and will look to bounce back and start winning games again when they host Columbus Crew 2 at WSFS Bank Sportsplex on Sunday, 17th May, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 pm ET.
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