Philly Leader

Philadelphia Union II fell 1-0 to FC Cincinnati 2 in a rainy Friday night match at Subaru Park. Despite a determined second half, relentless attack, and last-chance efforts following a weather delay, Union II fell short, relinquishing the top spot in the Eastern Conference standings.

The highly anticipated top-of-the-table clash was competitive from the start. Union II opened with a string of promising chances in the first half, taking 11 total shots but facing unlucky finishes.

A close-range chance from Markus Anderson went just wide right in the 17th minute. His teammate Eddy Davis, one of the league's top scorers in 2024, matched his intensity by finding a shot of his own two minutes later. He took a blast from just outside the box but missed his target as it was stopped by the post.

Head Coach Marlon LeBlanc's first change came earlier than he likely anticipated when Anderson was forced to leave the match due to injury. When he came off in the 27th minute, LeBlanc sent in Sal Olivas to take his place. Four minutes later, University of Pennsylvania alum Ben Stitz opened scoring for FC Cincinnati 2, getting one past Union II keeper Mike Sheridan in the 31st.

A free kick rebound chip from CJ Olney over Cincinnati 2 defenders to Frankie Westfield in the 42nd minute appeared to be an equalizer in the build-up, but longtime academy standout turned Union II signee's shot hit the crossbar instead.

A boot toward the net from Olney closed the first half, leaving Union II down a goal before the second '45 began.

The scoreline stayed unchanged through the second half despite multiple personnel changes from LeBlanc. Nick Pariano entered at halftime replacing Sanders Ngabo, while Jamir Berdecio went in for captain Kyle Tucker in the 58th minute. Union II's final changes came in the 80th minute when LeBlanc took out Cavan Sullivan and Eddy Davis for fresh legs in his son Kellan LeBlanc and Leandro Soria.

First-year Union II Argentine Soria attempted to make the most of his minutes by taking a shot from distance in the 90th minute, but Cincy's focused keeper Hunter Morse stopped it. Shortly after officials ruled that there would be seven added minutes of play, inclement weather caused a delay.

After more than an hour pause, play resumed at 6:15 into stoppage time. Union II's last chance was a corner kick in the final seconds, but it did not find a target. With a 1-0 scoreline, Cincinnati 2 claimed victory and secured their position at the top of the Eastern Conference standings.

Next up, Union II will host Chicago Fire 2 at Subaru Park on Saturday, August 10th.