Union II Secures First Trophy with 4-0 Victory Over Columbus Crew 2
Marlon LeBlanc’s Side Shines in Dominant Playoff Display Before Record-Breaking Crowd.
Chester, Pa. — Saturday night’s 4-0 victory over Columbus Crew 2 to clinch the Eastern Conference Final was historic for Philadelphia Union II, marking the club's first trophy in team history in front of a record-breaking crowd of 4,727 for a second team game.
Union II lined up with the same starting eleven that faced Crown Legacy last weekend, featuring Andrew Rick in goal; Gavin Wetzel and Frankie Westfield as full-backs; and Neil Pierre and Olwethu Makhanya as center-backs. Nick Pariano anchored the diamond formation, with CJ Olney and David Vazquez as the two eights. Cavan Sullivan played in the number ten position, flanked by forwards Eddy Davis and Markus Anderson.
Markus Anderson opened the scoring in the 16th minute, followed by Cavan Sullivan's goal in the 42nd minute, giving Union II a 2-0 lead at halftime while outshooting Columbus 6-0. Neil Pierre nearly added to the tally with a header that hit the post in the 48th minute. Frankie Westfield made it 3-0 in the 56th minute, and Anderson sealed the victory with his second goal in the 74th minute, leading to a final score of 4-0. Union II outshot Columbus 24 (7) to 1 (0), marking their first clean sheet against Crew 2 this season.
Key Moments
Union II struck first in the 16th minute through Markus Anderson, beginning with a play initiated by goalkeeper Andrew Rick. Rick found midfielder Nick Pariano, who passed to Cavan Sullivan, dropping below the halfway line to collect the ball. Sullivan then connected with David Vazquez, who played a perfectly weighted ball to CJ Olney. Olney sent a cross to the near post, where Columbus failed to clear, allowing Anderson to tap it in for the 1-0 lead.
The Union extended their lead to 2-0 in the 42nd minute with a long-distance strike from Sullivan. The play began with Pariano on the right side, attempting a long ball to Eddy Davis that was cleared by Crew II. Columbus couldn't control the loose ball, and Pariano regained possession, finding Sullivan in space. With time to shoot, Sullivan unleashed a strike from 35 yards that deflected off Columbus center-back Aboubacar Keita and beat goalkeeper Stanislav Lapkes. With that goal, Sullivan became the youngest goalscorer in MLS Next Pro history at the age of 15-years-old.
Union II quickly threatened again in the second half after a short corner between CJ Olney and David Vazquez. Vazquez sent a cross to the 18-yard box, where Neil Pierre headed the ball, but it hit the crossbar.
Once again, Pariano was instrumental, winning the ball back in Columbus’ half. He found Westfield on the left, who combined well with Olney. Westfield aimed a cross toward the back post for Sullivan, but Columbus cleared it. With no midfielders in sight for Crew 2, Westfield collected the loose ball and struck from 25 yards out, putting Union II ahead 3-0 in the 56th minute.
The final goal came in the 74th minute, completing a brace for Markus Anderson. Union II linked up well on the left side again, with Olney sending a cross toward the back post for David Vazquez, whose acrobatic strike hit the post. Columbus failed to clear the ball from their 18-yard box, allowing Anderson to tuck it away for the 4-0 lead.
The defeat marked the largest loss for Crew 2 since August 13, 2023, when they fell 5-0 to New York Red Bulls II.
What Went Right For The Offense
Entering the match, Union II had scored only two goals in their first two playoff games, with missed opportunities a common theme against Crown Legacy. However, they found their scoring touch against Crew 2, with four of their seven shots finding the net. This 4-0 win was their biggest victory since defeating Toronto FC II 4-0 on June 30. Head Coach Marlon LeBlanc recognized the advantage of utilizing his outside eights in their offensive strategy.
“We had a pretty good match plan today. We knew we could really get our eight’s going, particularly with David [Vazquez] and CJ [Olney], and a lot of our attacks started with them,” said Head Coach Marlon LeBlanc.
“We had the ability to flood numbers forward, and we really did. This guy [Frankie Westfield] was pushing up on the left, and Gavin [Wetzel], not as much, but he certainly got forward on the right as well. Next thing you know, you start pulling defenders toward them, and it opens up space in the middle of the field for Cavan [Sullivan]. Markus [Anderson] and Eddy [Davis] were outstanding, and the ability to play into their feet was on point today.
In particular, we knew we could target specific areas of the field, and I thought we were really disciplined against the ball. We pressed well, counter-pressed really well, and then caught them on the counter where we knew we could break. Those are about as 'Union' of goals as you’re going to see. It was electric going forward. There were times we felt like we could score almost every time we advanced.
And, yeah, I mean, this guy [Frankie Westfield] hit an absolute banger. Got lucky—just kidding. What a shot he took. Great performance. No complaints whatsoever."
Three of Union II's four goals came down the left side of the field, largely due to Westfield's contributions. He emphasized how off-field chemistry translates to on-field success.
“I think it starts off the field as well—getting to know each other," said Westfield, laughing as his teammates called his name from the locker room next door. "Our chemistry is great. When we're together off the field, it brings us even closer on the field. In those moments when we're breaking them down, I feel like we can push even further and take it up a notch. So, yeah, it’s about getting to know each other off the field, and our chemistry is just outstanding.”
On the field, Westfield continued his strong season, tallying seven goals and six assists in 2,733 minutes played. He played all 90 minutes against Columbus, leading the team with 89 touches, scoring one goal, creating another, and contributing two interceptions and five ball recoveries.
Strength In The Locker Room
Prior to the match, Crew 2 was the highest-scoring team in the playoffs with nine goals in two games, while Union II boasted the best defense, conceding only one goal in that same span. Despite challenges like player call-ups to the first team and international duty that left Union II short-handed, the team benefited from recent weeks of full training, which has led to strong performances on the field.
“Yeah, I thought we had an incredible week of training. We had everybody together. I think there’s something to be said for these last couple of performances, especially when we have the full team and we’re able to be together, spending time in that locker room,” said a proud LeBlanc. “The strength of this group is its locker room. We’ve spoken about that quite often. Today, you probably saw a lot of coordinated actions from us—maybe more than you’ve seen all season.
But it all starts and ends with that locker room. This group works so well together, and we’ve really honed in and dialed in at the right time. That’s important, too. You have to get a little bit lucky. We had some good bounces tonight, right? But you also have to be good, and we were really good. We created our own luck.
It was magical. Think about David’s sidewinder off the post that came back to Markus—Markus was in the right spot. We created our own luck there. Earlier in the season, maybe that ball runs all the way through, and you’re thinking, 'Just so close.' But yeah, it all comes back to the locker room. That’s why.”
Winning The Eastern Conference Title Compared To Success At WVU
Marlon LeBlanc enjoyed a highly successful 14-year tenure coaching the West Virginia University Men’s Soccer team, winning conference titles, appearing in the NCAA tournament six times, and earning the 2006 Soccer America Coach of the Year award for the Mountaineers’ 15-3-3 record. Now, in his third season as Head Coach of Union II, LeBlanc has finally secured a trophy for the hard work he has put into this young team. Reflecting on his previous success at the college level, LeBlanc shared his thoughts on winning his first trophy with Union II.
“Yeah, I mean, it's an interesting question. I don't think I've really thought about that,” said LeBlanc. “I like the fact that this journey, this project, has been hard. It's a project where we learn something new every single day because there are very few times when two days are the same. From my perspective, especially now with everything going on in the NCAA, you see how many coaches are just walking away.
This project has been incredibly fulfilling. From a coaching standpoint, all I do is coach. I don't have to fundraise, take compliance tests, or recruit. This is about the players' individual journeys. This is about their development. We put on a show for the league, for the club, showing what it means to develop and what this project can be.
And I think because of that, this holds a really, really high place in my heart, especially getting to share it with a guy like the one to my left, who, in a lot of ways, you could say is like a freshman, sophomore, and junior year. He was on this team when we first started MLS Next Pro, and here he is now—the captain of the club, a week away from heading to Penn State and starting his college journey, and today he's getting to lift the trophy.
We've been through it from the start, the same with CJ [Olney], David [Vazquez], and Andy Rick. They were on my first Next Pro team, and to see those guys now graduating to a first team and lifting a trophy with them—what an incredible experience this has been, an incredible journey. And the coolest thing about it? It's not done yet. We’ve got another game to play, and we'll try to win that one too.”
Looking Ahead
Union II will fly out to Frisco, Texas to take on North Texas for the MLS Next Pro Cup after North Texas defeated St. Louis II 3-0 in the Western Conference Finals. North Texas finished the regular season in first place (16-4-8, 62 pts) and tied as the third highest scoring team with 56 goals. They also finished second with the fewest goals conceded with 32.
MLS Next Pro Finals are set to take place at Toyota Stadium (home of FC Dallas) on November 9th at 8:30 pm et.
Video Credit: Apple TV/Philadelphia Union II
I’m a Union season ticket holder and listen to your podcast regularly. Your latest podcast convinced me into going to this game. My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed it. In fact, it was probably one of the best games I’ve seen - period! The team played with great energy and grit. They never gave up. I wish the first team played with some of that swagger. It was the first time I sat near the U’s bench and was fascinated watching Coach LaBlanc strategizing with his staff, interacting with the players, shouting out instructions. You can tell he likes the players and has a good relationship with them. I wish them great success against North Texas.