Union II scores first but falls 5-1 to Revs II at Gillette Stadium

Philadelphia Union II started early with a big chance right off the opening kickoff and took a lead on a Stefan Stojanovic penalty in the 10th minute but the rest of the way was all New England Revolution II in a 5-1 win Monday afternoon.

Jose Riasco started things off brightly for the visitors when he played a cross to the far post that just needed a tap-in but the chance would go wanting. Jordan Adebayo-Smith would have an even bigger chance to open the scoring when he was played in 1v1 with Union II keeper Brooks Thompson but Thompson was able to make the stop to keep things scoreless. Union II would get the first crack at goal though a few minutes later when Nelson Pierre was taken down in the box. Stojanovic stepped up to bury his kick from the spot.

A goal and a big save from the keeper made for good early highlights for the visitors but the lead wouldn’t stick for long as disaster struck in the 21st minute. Hugo Le Guennec was beaten down the right flank on a ball played by Peyton Miller to Damian Rivera and when the Frenchman tried to recover he pulled up limp and Rivera danced into the box and fired home the equalizer. Le Guennec was subbed out for Noe Uwimana.

Adebayo-Smith got in behind again and this time was able to beat Thompson to make it 2-1 in the 29th minute.

The second half didn’t get much better for a Union II squad that was somewhat depleted with academy players recovering from a busy week of Generation adidas Cup play and others who are part of the first team’s traveling squad to Mexico.

Revolution II would tack on a couple more goals from Esmir Bajraktarević and Malcolm Fry in a five-minute span just after halftime and with the three points already secure Brandonn Bueno made it 5-1 from the penalty spot.

The loss was the third straight to start the MLS Next Pro campaign for Union II, which has been outscored 10-3 in their first three contests.

Despite the result, first team midfielder Richard Odada stood out both with his impact in the attack and defensive contributions and Thompson was solid in his season debut.

Photo courtesy of the Philadelphia Union

GOALS/ASSISTS
PHI — Stefan Stojanovic (PK) 10’
NE — Damian Rivera (Miller) 21’
NE — Jordan Adebayo-Smith (Akanyirige) 29’
NE — Esmir Bajraktarevic (Adebayo-Smith) 49’
NE — Malcolm Fry (Rivera) 54’
NE – Brandonn Bueno (PK) 89’

DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY
NE — Pierre Cayet (caution) 38’
PHI — Jose Riasco (caution) 64’
PHI — Maike Villero (caution) 69’
NE — Jack Panayotou (caution) 81’

LINEUP
Philadelphia Union II: Brooks Thompson; Anton Sorenson (Luke Martelli 70’), Juan Castillo, Hugo Le Guennec (Noe Uwimana 24’), Francis Westfield (Nathan Nkanji 69’) , Stefan Stojanovic, Maike Villero (Boubacar Diallo 76’), Richard Odada, Jeremy Rafanello, José Riasco (Luciano Sanchez 68’), Nelson Pierre.

Substitutes not used: Devon Stopek, Andrew Rick, Anthony Ramírez, Pedro Álvarez.

New England Revolution II: Nico Campuzano, Peyton Miller, Victor Souza, Pierre Cayet, Jacob Akanyirige, Esmir Bajraktarevic, Jack Panayotou (Brandonn Bueno 84’), Joshua Bolma (Jake Rozhansky 62’), Damian Rivera (Nakye Greenidge-Duncan 71’), Jordan Adebayo-Smith (Weverton 62’), Malcolm Fry (Marcos Dias 62’).

Substitutes not used: Ben Awashie, Santiago Suárez, Colby Quiñónes, Maxwell Weinstein.