Union II Travels to Face NYCFC II in Friday Night Road Action

It’s not quite mid-week MLS Next Pro action for Marlon LeBlanc and his Union II side like it was last week but it isn’t usual weekend action either as Union II prepares for Friday night road action against New York City FC II.

Union II comes off the back of an impressive 3-1 win at home against Chattanooga FC, a team that they faced for the first time ever last Thursday and a side that is independent of an MLS team, meaning they field an experienced senior team, a team that’s average age was 25 for the game, while Marlon LeBlanc’s side’s average age was 18. 

Eddy Davis opened the scoring early on in the game, scoring his 9^th goal of the campaign and putting him 2 goals away from leading the Golden Boot race. Cavan Sullivan added his 2^nd in 2 games just after the half-time break and Leandro Soria scored mere minutes after coming off the bench to secure a 3-1 win. 

With the win, Union II maintained their 3-point lead at the top of the Eastern Conference standings ahead of FC Cincinnati 2. Their opponents in this one find themselves in 5^th place but have played 3 games less than Marlon LeBlanc’s side, making this a massive game for both teams.

Who will feature for Union II?

Squad selection may be an issue for the time being, with CJ Olney and Cavan Sullivan both being involved with the senior team’s thumping of New England on Wednesday, with the latter breaking the MLS record for youngest player to ever play in the MLS and making his MLS debut.  

Andrew Rick may not feature for a long time with Union II anymore, after Jim Curtin confirmed that the young goalkeeper, who impressed in recent weeks covering in the senior team for Andre Blake, is Union’s 2^nd choice goalkeeper, beating out pre-season signing Oliver Semmle. Mike Sheridan has been the one to take Rick’s place with Union II and I’d imagine it’s his spot to lose to the likes of draft pick Holden Trent and U17’s standout Gavin Atkinson. 

Union II’s defense will need a slight change in personnel too, with Neil Pierre picking up his 5^th booking of the season meaning he is suspended for this game. Raul Meneses, Carlos Rojas, and Gavin Wetzel will be the trio that LeBlanc will pick from to partner Olwethu Makhanya at the back. 

Union II’s opponents for this one, NYCFC II are coming into the game on hot form, not losing a game since May. In that time the team out of New York has won 5 times and even won an extra point penalty shootout. They’re coming off a comprehensive 2-0 road win over Chicago Fire II, with Piero Elias and Jonathan Shore getting the goals.

Can Union II stay on top?

Both teams boast incredible defensive records this season and if I was a betting man, I’d say we might not be in for the usual high-scoring affair that we see when Union II plays. Both teams own the best defensive record in the Eastern Conference, only conceding 19 goals. 

Union II’s defense will be looking out for the 17-year-old midfielder Shore as he looks to grab his 2nd goal in as many games, but will also be on high alert with forward Taylor Calheira, who’s been on goal-scoring form in recent games, scoring in his last 5 games before the Chicago game. Eddy Davis will be looking to gain more ground in the race for the Golden Boot for Union II, while, if he plays, CJ Olney will be looking to extend his lead at being the league’s best playmaker as he currently sits with 10 assists on the season. 

The game is scheduled to kick off at 8:30 pm ET and the game will be streamed free for everyone on the MLS Next Pro website, no need for an Apple TV account or an active MLS Season Pass subscription.

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