Philadelphia, PA — Na di time don reach, my padi! Di Philadelphia Union II dey prepare to light up di place as dem get Huntsville City FC for di Eastern Conference Semifinal on Saturday evening at di iconic Subaru Park. Na di match wey plenty folks don dey talk about, as di Boys in Blue, wey dem don qualify for di playoffs every year since di league start, dey ready to show wetin dem sabi.
As di No. 2 seed for di East, dem source for Huntsville via di Pick-Your-Opponent process. Di top seed, New York Red Bulls II, throwaway Chicago Fire II for dia semifinal game. Na only di second year wey Union II don collect 15 wins, tie for di most number of goals wey dem score (64), and di best goal difference (+30). No forget say na 18 players don score for di team, with Malik Jakupovic and Stas Korzeniowski leading di goal parade with eight each. (If dem be food, e go sweet reach corner!).
Di postseason start don sweet as Korzeniowski shine for di opener against FC Cincinnati 2, scoring for both halves and don increase him goal streak to five consecutive matches. But na bad news wey dey loom as dem go miss some key players—Kellan LeBlanc, Jordan Griffin and Jamir Johnson dey represent USA for di 2025 FIFA Under-17 World Cup wey go happen for Qatar from November 3-27.
For di matchup, e go really dey spicy; Union II dey boast of di third highest scoring offense for di league, while Huntsville City FC don claim di title for di least goals conceded, only letting in 32 goals. Union II sef dey second for defense, with just 34 goals conceded. Na serious battle wey dey come.
Di last time wey dem meet was on March 28, 2025, naim dem draw 2-2. Di match get as e be, with Huntsville taking di lead early, but di Boys in Blue bounce back to equalize just before halftime. Dem level am again for di second half, and di penalties no gree na, Huntsville win am 4-3. That one no go fit happen again o!
Huntsville City FC come chop di No. 5 seed after dem earn 52 points with 14 wins, 8 draws, and 6 losses. Di squad dey catch fire with diir first-ever postseason match win against Chattanooga FC, wey dem slay 2-0. Philip Mayaka start di fire befire halftime, and Christian Koffi add more pepper for di second half. Na wetin we dey call ‘chopping good food.’
Plus, if you no go miss di action, remember say di Union de throwaway DOOP in di City Event on Thursday, October 23rd, from 12-2 PM ET, somewhere for Philadelphia City Hall. Di aim na to celebrate di team and fans as dem dey prepare for di playoffs. Fans go fit snap photo with di Supporters’ Shield and gist with Phang, di club’s mascot. Na dia way to kick it off, my padi! Carry your paddy for di match, tickets dey waka fast!
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