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. Oliver 86′), Cole Turner; Chris Donovan (Stefan Stojanovic 72′), Jeremy Rafanello (Nelson Pierre 72′).
Substitutes not used: Andrew Rick, Noe Uwimana, Anthony Ramirez, Nathan Nkanji.
New England Revolution II: Maxwell Weinstein; Italo (Ryan Spaulding 63′), Pierre Cayet, Ben Reveno, Sean O’Hearn (Brandonn Bueno 63′); Damian Rivera, Colby Quinones, Michel (Ryan Lima 70′); Weverton (Malcolm Fry 63′), Marcos Dias, Noel Buck (Hikaru Fujiwara 82′).
Substitutes not used: Marzuq Puckerin, Steban Lopera, J. Burkhardt.
TEAM NOTES
Forward Jeremy Rafanello scored his first MLS NEXT Pro goal and recorded his first assist.
Forward Chris Donovan scored his eighth goal of the season.
Defender Matt Real scored his fourth goal of the season.
Goalkeeper Matt Freese made his 15th start of the MLS Next Pro season. Freese made seven saves today.
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.
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