Early Yakupovic goal lifts Philadelphia Union II to season opening win

Malik Yakupovic continued his prolific goal-scoring form with an early strike and George Marks made three saves to secure a clean sheet in a 1-0 win for Philadelphia Union II to open their MLS Next Pro season.

Yakupovic, 16, had 8 goals in 16 appearances last season and was the golden boot winner at the Concacaf U-17 World Cup Qualifiers in Trinidad & Tobago. He found the back of the goal with a lovely strike in the 8th minute Saturday afternoon at Subaru Park.

Yakupovic had a couple chances to double the lead and led the team with 5 shots on the day but Toronto FC II goalkeeper Zakaria Nakhly denied him and attacking midfielder Kellan LeBlanc on a couple occasions. Philadelphia Union Academy grad Jackson Gilman (Schwenksville, Pa.) made his Toronto FC II debut in the match and nearly found an equalizer in the second half with a well hit strike Marks was able to tip over the bar. Marks then denied substitute Kervon Kerr twice on the doorstep to preserve the win and avoid a shootout.

Saturday was an eventful day for Philadelphia Union II even before kickoff.

Recent signing Oliver Pratt out of the University of Pennsylvania and academy standouts Timo Mendoza and John Ruff all made their Union II debuts in the starting lineup. First team defender Finn Sundstrom and academy players Theo Reed, Matheus De Paula, Lennon Harrington and Nehan Hasan all made their Union II debuts off the bench.

Philadelphia Union II will be back at home next Sunday to host FC Cincinnati 2 at 3 p.m. (OneFootball).

LINEUP

Philadelphia Union II: George Marks, Kaiden Moore (Finn Sundstrom 57’), Rafael Uzcátegui, Oliver Pratt, Jordan Griffin, Kellan LeBlanc (Lennon Harrington 85’), Timo Mendoza (Matheus De Paula 57’ ), Óscar Benítez Cobo, Willyam Ferreira (Theo Reed 72’), Malik Jakupovic, John Ruf (Nehan Hasan 57’).

Substitutes not used: Alex Smith.

Toronto FC II: Zakaria Nakhly, Stefan Kapor (Tristan Blyth 87’), Reid Fisher, Edwin Omoregbe, Micah Chisholm, Bryce Boneau (Luca Costabile 63’), Damar Dixon (Kervon Kerr 71’), Jackson Gilman, Shyon Pinnock, Fletcher Bank, Elias Khodri.

Substitutes not used: Dékwon Barrow, Josh Nugent, Daniel Stampatori, Demitre Adamson, Harrison Patterson, Spencer Sappleton.

Matthew Ralph

Matthew Ralph is the managing editor of Philadelphia Soccer Now. He's covered soccer at all levels for a decade in the Philadelphia region and has also written for TheCup.us, NPSL, PrepSoccer and other publications. He lives with his wife and two young children in Broomall, Pa., but grew up in South Jersey and is originally from Kansas.

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