Union II on wrong end of 7-goal thriller, fall 5-2 to Fire II at Subaru Park

Four second half goals propelled Chicago Fire FC II to a 5-2 road victory over Philadelphia Union II. Braces from Victor Bezerra and Sergio Oregel overpowered Union II who fell for the second consecutive match. As a result, Chicago catapulted above Philadelphia in the MLS NEXT Pro Eastern Conference standings.

Philadelphia Union II welcomed Chicago Fire FC II to Subaru Park for a Father’s Day MLS Next Pro matchup. Union II won the previous match between these two sides in May. Two late goals in that contest helped Union II pick up three valuable road points.

In Sunday’s matchup, the action was on from minute one. Alex Monis had the ball in the net for Chicago, but the assistant referee raised his flag for offside. Chicago came knocking just minutes later and Brooks Thompson had the answer, denying Charlie Ostrem’s lunging shot.

Union II got their first opportunity of the match in the fifth minute. Luciano Sanchez had his shot from the top of the box parried away by Miahjlo Miskovic. The Chicago keeper was forced to make another save less than 60 seconds later, denying CJ Olney from inside the area. 

The match was calling for an early goal and it was Chicago Fire II who answered. Noah Egan’s long ball over the top was finished off by Monis, who chipped Thompson. The Union II goalkeeper kicked the end boards in frustration after he was caught out of his goal. This was Monis’ second goal of the season. 

While the start to the half was fairly even, Chicago dominated after scoring their goal. Chicago out-possessed Philadelphia 70-30 in the first 45. Chicago fired seven shots with four hitting the target and one finding the back of the net. 

The visitors wouldn’t waste any time starting the second half. In the 47th minute, halftime substitute Sergio Oregel connected with first-half substitute Victor Bezerra to double Chicago’s lead. 

Union II would quickly respond. CJ Olney worked his magic down the left flank and set up Luciano Sanchez who slotted home from the center of the box. The one-goal deficit would quickly become two again for Union II. In the 60th minute, Michael Flores found Bezerra who got behind the backline and slotted past Thompson. 

While the game looked out of reach for Union II in the 60th minute, it was surely over 10 minutes later. In the 70th minute, Bezerra bagged his brace from the penalty spot after Anton Sorenson conceded a lazy foul in the box. Just a minute later, Oregel grabbed his second of the contest off a Bezerra assist, making it 5-1 Fire II.

If there was one bright spot for Union II, it was CJ Olney. In the 76th minute, Olney’s corner kick found the head of Boubacar Diallo who made it 5-2. Olney recorded two assists and hit the crossbar off an audacious chip from the edge of the penalty area. Olney is one of the most promising talents currently in the Union Academy system.

After falling 5-2 at home, Union II will head on the road for three straight games, starting with a Wednesday clash with Orlando next week. 

GOALS/ASSISTS
CHI – Alex Monis (Egan) 18’
CHI – Sergio Oregel (Bezerra) 47’
PHI – Luciano Sanchez (Olney) 55’
CHI – Victor Bezerra (Flores) 60’
CHI – Victor Bezerra (PK) 70’
CHI – Oregel (Bezerra) 71’
PHI – Boubacar Diallo (Olney) 76’

DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY:
PHI – Nathan Nkanji 52’
PHI – Hugo Le Guennec 83’

Philadelphia Union II Lineup:
Brooks Thompson; Juan Castillo, Hugo Le Guennec, Nathan Nkanji (Jose Riasco , Carlos Rojas, Anton Sorenson, Boubacar Diallo, Stefan Stojanovic, CJ Olney, Luciano Sanchez (Francis Castillo-Orellana 90’), Nelson Pierre 

Unused subs:Gavin Atkinson, Gino Portella, Alexandru Zama

Chicago Fire II Lineup:
Miahjlo Miskovic; Lamonth Rochester, Andreas Ueland, Noah Egan (Eric Leonard 79’), Charlie Ostrem (Sergio Oregel 46’), Javier Casas (Victor Bezzera 40’), Henrique Gallina, Richard Fleming, Justin Reynolds (Michael Flores 46’), Luka Prpa, Alex Monis (Michael Nesci 74’)

Unused subs: Edson Rocha, Adrian Giron, Billy Hency, Matteo Kidd