Union II secure 2022 MLS NEXT Pro Playoff spot

September 18, 2022 – MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro) – Philadelphia Union II News Release

CHESTER, Pa. – Philadelphia Union II took on New England Revolution II at Gillette Stadium on Sunday afternoon, ending with a 3-1 win. With the win, Union II secure a spot in the 2022 MLS Next Pro Playoffs and finished the regular season in third place in the Eastern Conference with 40 points. In the 12th minute, homegrown defender Matt Real corralled the ball off a corner kick directly in front of the goal, sending in a left footed shot just past the New England keeper. Philadelphia would double their lead in the 20th minute as forward Jeremy Rafanello tapped in a shot from very close range after New England’s keeper caught a pass intended for Rafanello, but dropped it directly in front of the net, allowing Rafanello to claim his first MLS NEXT Pro goal. In the 37th minute, forward Chris Donovan received a through ball pass from Rafanello, taking a powerful right footed strike from the right side of the box, sending it to the bottom left of the goal. The 42nd minute saw Union II goalkeeper Matt Freese make a penalty save on the Revolution’s Weverton which aimed to the far left of the goal, with Freese immediately making another save with his outstretched leg as Weverton found the rebound and sent a shot up the middle. In the second half, New England’s Ryan Lima scored a powerful left footed shot from the top of the box, sending it to the top right of the net in the 79th minute.

Union II will travel to take on Toronto FC II in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Date and time to be announced in the near future.

New England Revolution II (1) – Philadelphia Union II (3)

Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, MA)

Saturday, September 18th, 2022

TODAY’S MATCH INFO

REF: Natalie Simon

AR1: Patrick Casey

AR2: Ian Mangione

4TH: Stephanie McFarland

Weather: 80 degrees and sunny.

GOALS/ASSISTS

PHI – Matt Real (unassisted) 14′

PHI – Jeremy Rafanello (unassisted) 20′

PHI – Chris Donovan (Rafanello) 37′

NE – Ryan Lima (Rivera) 79′

DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY

NE – Maxwell Weinstein (caution) 12′

PHI – Matt Real (caution) 43′

PHI – Nathan Harriel (caution) 45′

NE – Colby Quinones (caution) 47′

NE – Weverton (caution) 52′

PHI – Richard Odada (caution) 52′

PHI – Anton Sorenson (caution) 90′

PHI – Francis Westfield (caution) 90’+4′

LINEUP

Philadelphia Union II: Matt Freese; Anton Sorenson, Matt Real, Boubacar Diallo (Juan Perdomo 86′), Nathan Harriel; Bajung Darboe, Maike Villero (Francis Westfield 63′), Richard Odada (L….