Union II’s Unbeaten Start Ends In 3-1 Away Defeat to FC Cincinnati 2

After the senior team lost their unbeaten start to the season last night, Marlon LeBlanc and his Union II side were hoping not to follow suit as they traveled to Cincinnati for the first time this season.

Union II at FCC 2 Recap

One change was made to the starting XI, with Sal Olivas coming back into the team and re-uniting with his deadly duo partner Eddy Davis III. This is, arguably, the best XI Marlon LeBlanc has. New signing striker/winger Leandro Soria, who signed just a few days ago, made the bench. 

The opening 15 minutes of the game was controlled by Philly. They held the ball well, kept Cincinnati on the back foot, and were actively looking for the opening goal of the game.

The hosts had the first chance of the game just before the 10-minute mark, but standout defender Neil Pierre managed to pull off a great block and then react quickly to clear the danger. 

Union II came close to the opening goal 15 minutes in, some patient buildup play opened up Cincy’s defense but Cincy’s goalkeeper saved well. It seemed that shot on target for Philly really woke the hosts up.

FCC 2 Scores first

21 minutes had gone by with no real chances for either side, that was until Cincy opened the scoring. Mangione worked hard to hold off two Union II defenders and hold the ball up, before dishing it back into the middle for Geraldo Valenzuela. 

Valenzuela then went on a magical run into the box where he danced around a couple of Philly defenders, took it around Andrew Rick, and slotted it home for one of the best goals I’ve seen at this level for a long time. The hosts take the lead and Philly’s unbeaten streak is at risk. 

Cincinnati dominated the rest of the first half, controlled the ball well, and caused a few issues from a succession of corners. One of the last chances of the half was for Cincy, as a glancing header at the near post just went wide.

Carlos Rojas replaced Olewethu Makhanya at halftime, with Marlon LeBlanc trying to rework the way his team was set up, looking to get an early goal to keep the unbeaten start alive.

A second FCC 2 goal to open the second half

However, it would be the hosts that doubled their lead with an early goal in the second half. A free kick around 30 yards out from goal, over on the right wing was put into a dangerous area in front of goal and Geraldo Valenzuela got a slight touch on it to direct the ball into the far corner. 2-0 Cincinnati and it looked like Union II’s unbeaten start to the season would end on the same weekend as the senior teams did. 

Marlon LeBlanc’s side woke up after the 2^nd Cincy goal and they were trying to trouble the backline of the hosts with balls in the box, and they should have got a goal back but Eddy Davis, with a free header, 6 yards out from goal, could only direct it straight at the goalkeeper. 

After that massive missed chance, Marlon LeBlanc made a hattrick of changes, with Eddy Davis, Giovanny Sequera, and Jamir Berdecio leaving the field and Gavin Wetzel, club captain Kyle Tucker, and new signing Leandro Soria replacing them. Soria is making his debut for the team, after signing just a couple of days back, and lined up as a striker alongside Sal Olivas.

Union II get one back

The game slightly died down after the 3 substitutes made by Union II, with both teams failing to keep hold of the ball and create any meaningful chances. Mangione had a huge chance to kill the game off, but he completely skied his shot. 

The game looked like it was heading to a lifeless finish, but new signing Soria had other plans. After a quality run forward, Union II had a free kick around 25 yards out and there was only one man for the job. Club captain Kyle Tucker stepped up to the ball and smashed it into the far corner, as he always does from free kicks. 2-1 and Union II has some life in the game. 

After a couple of lengthy breaks in the game, Union II committed bodies forward to try and get an equalizing goal to keep the unbeaten start alive, but it ended up costing them massively.

Philly drop their first match of the season

Cincy hit Philly on the break and Geraldo Valenzuela found himself through on goal, searching for his hattrick goal. He ended up losing balance as Rick came out of his goal and as it looked like he would waste the chance, he hit the top of the ball as he went down and it somehow went over Rick and rolled into the net for 3-1 and Valenzuela’s hattrick. 

Nine minutes were added on at the end of the scheduled 90 and Marlon LeBlanc’s side was trying their best to get some sort of lifeline in the game. Sal Olivas had a massive chance with 4 minutes left, debutant Soria worked really well down the left wing and put a great ball into the front post, but Olivas could only fire his shot straight at Cincy’s goalkeeper. 

The game ended up finishing 3-1 to the hosts, Marlon LeBlanc’s side beaten for the first time this season after a quality performance by Cincinnati’s midfielder Geraldo Valenzuela.

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Mandatory Credit: Philadelphia Union II