Philadelphia Union II Goals:Â Le Blanc 52'Â
New York City FC II Goals: Kerr 43'Â
Quick Read
NYCFC II secured the point needed to qualify for the MLS NEXT Pro playoffs after battling Philadelphia Union II to a 1-1 draw. Drew Kerr opened the scoring in the first half before Kellan LeBlanc equalized for the hosts after the break. Cooper Flax missed from the spot, but NYCFC II held firm late before prevailing 2-1 in a penalty shootout after 10 attempts to claim the additional bonus point.
Match Recap
New York City FC II concluded the regular season on Sunday afternoon with a meeting against Philadelphia Union II.
Head Coach Matt Pilkington had guided his side to back-to-back wins over CT United and Red Bull New York in recent weeks and knew that a single point would be enough to secure a place in the postseason.
The hosts registered the first opportunity in the sixth minute, but Jonathan Lopez blocked Giovanny Sequera’s effort.
NYCFC II soon began to create chances of their own. Máximo Carrizo tested Andrew Rick in the 15th minute, while Cooper Flax saw a shot from outside the area saved two minutes later.
Carrizo went close again in the 19th minute, this time forcing another stop from the Philadelphia goalkeeper with an effort from the center of the box.
NYCFC II continued to apply pressure, with Kevin Pierre seeing an effort blocked in the 30th minute.
Drew Kerr had a shot blocked five minutes later before Pierre fired over from outside the box.
The pressure finally paid off for the visitors in the 43rd minute when Kerr opened the scoring. The winger applied the finishing touch to a slick NYCFC II move that began when Luka Sunjic found Carrizo out wide.
Carrizo drove toward goal before finding an overlapping Adonis Campos with a pass. Campos kept his composure to play the ball across the face of goal, where Kerr was waiting to slam home at the back post.
Not content with a single goal, Max Murray tested Rick in first-half stoppage time, but the goalkeeper made another save to deny the defender’s effort from inside the box.
The start of the second half saw the hosts draw level in the 52nd minute through a Kellan LeBlanc free kick.
NYCFC II quickly set about trying to retake the lead, and a driving run down the left from Jonny Lopez almost earned him a penalty after a coming together with Sequera.
In the 64th minute, Carrizo went close with a vicious drive from the right corner of the penalty area that almost caught Rick out. The shot-stopper palmed the effort over for a corner.
From the resulting corner, a clean take and quick distribution from Rick allowed Sequera to run at goal. His eventual effort took a deflection before looping over Learned and onto the roof of the net.
Philadelphia Union II then threatened through Willyam Ferreira’s effort from outside the box, which was blocked by Peter Molinari.
Two minutes later, Max Murray blocked Kaiden Moore’s shot before Learned saved LeBlanc’s effort from the left side of the box.
The goalkeeper was called into action again in the 73rd minute, making a strong save to deny Giovanny Sequera’s header.
In the 79th minute, more great work down the left from Lopez saw him flash a bouncing ball into the Philadelphia box, where Sunjic narrowly failed to make a connection.
That would prove to be Sunjic’s last involvement in the contest, as he was replaced by Jacob Arroyave a minute later.
The contest then took a dramatic turn in NYCFC II’s favor after the visitors were awarded a penalty and Philadelphia were reduced to 10 men.
Following a delightful pass from Pierre and a well-timed run by Kerr, the winger found himself one-on-one with Rick. Geiner MartÃnez did his best to recover, but fouled Kerr in the process, earning a red card and conceding a penalty.
Unfortunately, Cooper Flax was unable to convert from the spot, with Rick saving his effort.
Carrizo then went close with an effort from range in the 89th minute that earned NYCFC II a corner.
Philadelphia were gifted a huge chance to steal the lead in stoppage time after catching NYCFC II on the counter. LeBlanc played the ball inside to Theo Reed, but Learned did brilliantly to block the effort before it was cleared.
The visitors then had several chances in quick succession, with Lopez, Carrizo and Kerr all unable to find a decisive second goal.
Pilkington made a second change deep into stoppage time, replacing Carrizo with Joseph Suchecki.
That proved to be the final notable action as NYCFC II secured the point needed to book its place in the MLS NEXT Pro playoffs.
With the game tied after regulation, the teams went to a penalty shootout in accordance with MLS NEXT Pro rules to determine who would earn the additional point.
After 10 spot kicks, NYCFC II prevailed 2-1 to claim the bonus point.
How We Lined Up
What's NextÂ
Check back to newyorkcity.com for more information on NYCFC II's playoff schedule.
