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Despite the best efforts of homegrown goalkeeper Matt Freese and future homegrown midfielder Jack McGlynn, MSU Soccer Park at Montclair State was the scene of another big letdown for Philadelphia Union II on Saturday night.
After losing to the New York Red Bulls II a little over two weeks ago there by a 6-0 score line, Union II went in riding some momentum from a decent performance on the road in a 1-1 draw at Hartford Athletic.
That momentum was quashed early by Omar Sowe, who recorded a hat trick in their last meeting, and continued his blistering assault on the Union back line with a brace inside 20 minutes.
Union II fought back and had a good chance open up on a back pass Axel Picazo was able to pick off in the 37th minute. Chris Lema took him down on the edge of the box and was sent off for the DOGSO. Brandan Craig took the free kick from a dangerous spot and was denied by the post on a low liner.
A few minutes later, Union II had another kick from just outside the box to the left and it led to a penalty being called in the box. Jack McGlynn stepped up to convert the penalty for his second goal of the week and cut the lead to 2-1.
Picazo got his goal after halftime when Caden Stafford connected with him on a low cross from the corner Axel was able to get on the end of and hit home to tie the game.
Despite still being up a man and Freese intervening with a number of key saves and sweeper keeper-type plays (he finished with 8 saves on the night), the Red Bulls inexplicably went back in front 10 minutes later through substitute Jake Lacava and Boima Cummins off an assist from Cherif Dieye two minutes later.
Stafford would pick up his second assist of the night (and his Union II career) when he back heeled the ball to McGlynn for a rocketed shot in the 69th minute but it was Cape May Court House, N.J. native Joseph Fala who was next to get on the board when he scored his first professional goal off a corner kick from John Tolkin in the 86th minute.
The Union II would get yet another chance from the penalty spot in the 90th minute after Issa Rayyan got into the box and had his shot turned away near the line only to have the Red Bulls called for another foul in the scrum that followed.
Substitute Danny Flores stepped up to convert the penalty for his first professional goal to make it 5-4 with six minutes of stoppage to play that somehow didn’t produce any additional goals.
The nine goals was the most ever scored in a Union II game. The previous record was seven scored in the 5-2 loss to Atlanta United 2 last season.
Up next, U2 will play their final home game of the 2020 USL Championship campaign before finishing the season out at the Pittsburgh Riverhounds on October 3.
GOALS/ASSISTS:
NYRB – Omar Sowe (Cherif Dieye) 13’
NYRB – Omar Sowe (Chris Lema) 19’
PHI – Jack McGlynn (penalty) 43’
PHI – Axel Picazo (Stafford) 55’
NYRB – Jake Lacava (unassisted) 65’
NYRB – Boima Cummins (Cherif Dieye) 67’
PHI – Jack McGlynn (Stafford) 69’
NYRB – Joseph Fala (John Tolkin) 86’
PHI – Danny Flores (penalty) 90’
DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY:
NYRB – Chris Lema (ejection) 37’
NYRB – Joseph Zalinsky (caution) 41’
NYRB – Cherif Dieye (caution) 42’
PHI – Jamoi Topey(caution) 46’
LINEUP:
Philadelphia Union II: Matt Freese, Nathan Harriel (Issa Rayyan 45’), Dante Huckaby, Anthony Sorenson, Brandan Craig, Cole Turner, Jamoi Topey (Quinn Sullivan 51’), Axel Picazo (Danny Flores 64’), Jack McGlynn (Patrick Bohui 70’), Paxten Aaronson (Jack Jasinski 63’), Caden Stafford
Substitutes not used: Ben Martino, David Rabadán
New York Red Bulls II: Luca Lewis, Edgardo Rito, John Tolkin, Joseph Fala, Samad Bounthong (Kenan Hot 83’), Chris Lema, Cherif Dieye (Deri Corfe 70’), Dantouma Toure (Jake Lacava 58’), Joseph Zalinsky, Boima Cummins (Preston Kilwien 70’), Omar Sowe (Sebastian Elney 83’)
Substitutes not used: Ciaran Dalton, Serge Ngoma