Philadelphia Union II shut out by Revs II at home

Philadelphia Union II were shut out in a loss to New England Revolution II at Subaru Park on Sunday evening, 3-0. Forward Joshua Bolma opened the scoring for Revs II in the 39th, and forward Marcos Diaz added on two more in the 54th and 86th. The loss means Union II stays on 33 points, just outside of striking distance for the MLS Next Pro playoffs in the Eastern Conference. 

Defender Olwethu Makhanya made his Union II debut, starting in the backline. The South African native had a mixed debut, with a few good moments early and some struggles later in the match. The entire backline had trouble recovering from Revs II’s first goal, as the defensive unit looked more and more discombobulated as the match went on.

Union II held an advantage in shots in the first half despite being out-possessed, notching seven shots as opposed to Revs II’s five. Three of Union II’s shots were on frame, including a headed attempt from the debutant defender Olwethu Makhanya that was saved by Revs II keeper Nico Campuzano.

However, Revs II would find the back of the net from the only shot on goal in the half. Forward Joshua Bolma laced a right-footed shot past Union II keeper Andrew Rick to make it 1-0. Rick would finish with just one save on the evening.

Midfielder Jeremy Rafanello was very active up the right wing for Union II in the first half, but nothing too threatening came of any of his runs. 

Revs II dominated the second half of the match, with forward Marcos Dias coming on as a substitute in the 52nd minute and scoring twice. He found the back of the net in the 54th to make it 2-0 Revs, and then again in the 86th to push the scoreline to 3-0.

Union II continued to push forward, but struggled to find any attacking chance of substance throughout the second half. Union II would end with the advantage in shots and shots on goal, but were ultimately outplayed by Revs II.

Union II will be back in action on September 3 as they take on NYCFC II away. There are four matches left in Union II’s MLS Next Pro season. Union II are not eliminated from the postseason yet, but need to pick up some wins in order to claw into a playoff spot. There are two home games remaining for Union II, one on September 8 and another on September 17.

GOALS/ASSISTS
NE – Joshua Bolma 40’
NE – Marcos Dias (Panayotou) 54’
NE – Marcos Dias 86’

DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY
PHI – Chris Donovan (caution) 43’
NE – Jack Panayotou (caution) 46’

LINEUP
Philadelphia Union II: Andrew Rick, Juan Castillo, Hugo Le Guennec, Olwethu Makhanya, Francis Westfield, C.J. Olney (Boubacar Diallo 71’), Carlos Rojas (Alex Perez 71’), Kyle Tucker ( Stefan Stojanovic 65’), David Vazquez (Sal Olivas 87’), Chris Donovan ( Nelson Pierre 65’), Jeremy Rafanello.

Substitutes not used: Gavin Atkinson, Anton Sorenson, Neil Pierre, Edward Davis.

New England Revolution II: Nico Campuzano, Joshua Bolma (Santiago Suárez 88’) , Pierre Cayet, Victor Souza, Colby Quiñónes, Jake Rozhansky (Noble Okello 64’), Jack Panayotou (Ben Awashie 87’), Patrick Thomas Leal (Marcos Dias 52’), Peyton Miller, Jordan Adebayo-Smith, Olger Escobar (Malcolm Fry 52’).

Substitutes not used: Maxwell Weinstein, Brandonn Bueno, Nakye Greenidge-Duncan, Jacob Akanyirige.