Philadelphia Union
CJ Olney late winner sends Union II to conference semifinal

In a game that was begging for a hero, CJ Olney stepped up into the spotlight and took a bow with an 86th minute strike that sent the home crowd into a frenzy and Philadelphia Union II to the second round of the MLS Next Pro playoffs.
After an entertaining but scoreless match that saw both sides flummoxed by the offside flag, it was Olney’s run into space and a pass from midfield by center back Neil Pierre that finally broke the tie. Olney still had plenty to do after receiving the ball in the box, but in eluding an onrushing defender and blasting a ball off the underside of the bar and in he showed why he was a shoe-in for the MLS Next Pro Best XI.
Now Union II are heading to the second round of the MLS Next Pro playoffs for the first time after advancing for only the second time in team history dating back to the Bethlehem Steel days in 2018. That team advanced on penalties in Pittsburgh in the USL Championship playoffs before losing to eventual champions Louisville City.
It was a very different time in a very different league but Sunday’s win was a good boost to a boisterous crowd at Subaru Park, where a night earlier a frustrated Philadelphia Union squad was bounced from postseason for the first time in 7 years with a 2-1 loss to FC Cincinnati.
Union II’s lineup include five first team players with Olwethu Makhanya a surprise scratch from the starting lineup. Head coach Marlon LeBlanc said post-game the decision was not injury related. Captain Kyle Tucker was missing from the starting XI with an ankle injury.
The game was fairly open to start with Cavan Sullivan and Frankie Westfield finding space down the left flank. The two combined to put the ball in the back of the net in the 17th minute but Westfield was offside on the play. Just after the half hour mark Markus Anderson had a blasted half volley go wide of the mark but after averting the danger NYC was able to find some moments going forward, forcing Andrew Rick into a save in the 42nd minute.
Anderson and Sullivan would add chances and Pierre would make an enormous tackle in the box to set up the late drama. After the Olney goal, Anderson had a good chance to ice the game but was denied by a good tackle in the box. In addition to the winner and setting up a couple near goals – one on a shot of his own that just missed the far post and another on an Anderson chance – Olney flashed his defensive work rate with a good recovery tackle in his own box and played his part in the counter press, something the team has excelled at this season.
They’ll get to choose their opponent for the next round again (Columbus, Chicago or Charlotte) and with FC Cincinnati 2 losing their playoff opener they would also host the conference final. As things stand, North Texas and St. Louis would host a final vs Union II.
GOALS/ASSISTS
PHI – CJ Olney (Pierre) 86’
DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY
PHI – Kellan LeBlanc (caution) 87’
PHI – Frankie Westfield Pariano (caution) 89’
LINEUP
Philadelphia Union II: Andrew Rick, Frankie Westfield, Carlos Rojas, Neil Pierre, Gavin Wetzel, Nicholas Pariano (Olwethu Makhanya 90+3′), CJ Olney, David Vazquez, Cavan Sullivan (Kellan LeBlanc 83’) , Markus Anderson (Jamir Berdecio 90+2’), Edward Davis (Sal Olivas 63’).
Substitutes not used: Jose Riasco, Mike Sheridan, Jamir Johnson, Zach Mastrodimos, Giovanny Sequera.
New York City FC II: Alex Rando, Chris Tiao, Samuel Owusu, Rio Hope-Gund, Christian McFarlane (Ronald Arevalo 90′), Jonathan Shore, Jake Rozhansky (Stevo Bednarsky 90+1′), Drew Baiera, Taylor Calheira, Jonathan Jimenez (Azzam Ruiz 90+1′), Maximo Carrizo .
Substitutes not used: Klevis Haxhari, Kofi Hope-Gund, Nicholas Kapanadze, Matthew Leong, Julien Lacher, Jonathan Lopez.