Union II start their 2025 MLS Next Pro season in Foxborough

After finishing last season just short of a title, the Union II look to rebound strong in their season opener against New England Revolution II. The squad will look a little different than their MLS Next Cup crew, most notably with a new gaffer behind the wheel.

Ryan Richter, who was named head coach of the team on January 15, 2025, is no stranger to the Union system, serving as an assistant coach for the first team through the last three seasons. The Boys in Blue reached their first ever MLS Cup in his inaugural season with the club, and only lost 30 matches over a span of 108 total games in his assistant tenure.

When asked about the opportunity, Richter added, “The staff has been fully committed. So it’s been really exciting. A lot of new things for myself, for the players, for the staff, working together, but we’re excited to see it finally start to come together in a competitive environment.”

The reigning Eastern Conference Champions will look a little different from last year, with prominent pieces such as outside back Frankie Westfield, center back Neil Pierre and forwards Sal Olivas and Eddy Davis II all signing homegrown deals with the first team. With such a shift in the squad, Richter emphasized that it will provide chances for new faces to step up and make an impact in the club.

“The opportunity will certainly be there for the players and they are earned in training everyday… they are opportunities that will be earned through their play, attitude and focus throughout the year”

Richter has had just short of two months working with the club, and is eager to hit the ground running this season. However, even with the success of last season, the mindset of the players is something entirely revamped around the organization’s newfound identity, something agreed upon by both the Union II’s fourth head coach and the first team’s new manager Bradley Carnell.

“From the staff to the players, they all understand that they’re trying to take the next step… Our job as staff is to remind them how difficult that step is going to be for them, and that they don’t have the opportunity to waste a day. I think they took that message right away and realized that every day means something.”

The Union II will take on a New England Revolution II squad that finished at the bottom of the Eastern Conference last season, boasting a 4-18-6 record. Similarly to the Union, the team graduated players like defenders Keegan Hughes and Damario McIntosh to homegrown deals. However, the Revs brought a strong supporting cast, drafting Jayden Da from Columbus Crew II, Joe Buck from Georgetown University, Gabe Dahlin from Monmouth University and Keegan Hughes who returns from his loan with Loudoun United FC.

The Union II will kick off on Sunday at 3 pm. If one was planning to tune into the double header, they’d expect to see the same style play from both squads. The emphasis of the season will be building a new identity throughout the club and revamping an already successful tenure in the newly-founded MLS NEXT Pro. 

“Our goal as a team is very simple. Every time you step on the field, you’re trying to win the game… It doesn’t matter if it is a 5v2, soccer tennis, a passing exercise or MLS Next Pro Cup Final, we are on the field to win the game.

You can catch the Union II on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV+.