Academy duo score first pro goals to secure home win; Goalkeeper George Marks records six saves

Published on May 23, 2026 under MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro)
Philadelphia Union II News Release

CHESTER, Pa. - Philadelphia Union II faced Atlanta United 2 on Saturday afternoon, resulting in a 2-1 win. Atlanta's Arif Kovac opened the scoring early in the fifth minute. In the second half, Academy midfielder Matheus De Paula scored his first professional goal to level the match. In the 83rd minute, Academy forward Theo Reed scored the game winning goal to secure all three points at home.

Philadelphia Union II will travel to York Lions Stadium to face Toronto FC II on Friday, May 29th (7:00 p.m. ET / OneFootball).

Philadelphia Union II (2) - Atlanta United 2 (1)

Kinetic Field at the WSFS Bank Sportsplex (Chester, PA)

Saturday, May 23, 2026

TODAY'S MATCH INFO

REF: Jorge Escobar

AR1: Nicholas Seymour

AR2: Achal Awasthi

4TH: Pavel Georgiev

GOALS/ASSISTS

ATL - Arif Kovac (Cisset) 5'

PHI - Matheus De Paula (unassisted) 48'

PHI - Theo Reed (Griffin, Ferreira) 83'

DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY

ATL - Dominik Chong Qui (caution) 47'

PHI - Mamoutou Berthé (caution) 63'

PHI - John Ruf (caution) 88'

PHI - Oliver Pratt (caution) 90'+5

LINEUPS

Philadelphia Union II: George Marks, Rafael Uzcátegui, Kaiden Moore, Jordan Griffin, Oliver Pratt, Oscar Benitez, Matheus De Paula (Giovanny Sequera 61'), Willyam Ferreira, Nehan Hasan (Mamoutou Berthé 61'), Theo Reed, Eddy Davis III (John Ruf 46').

Substitutes not used: Pierce Holbrook, Charlie Lorenz.

Atlanta United 2: Jonathan Ransom, Mohamed Cisset, Matthew Senanou, Adrian Gill (Andrew Jardines 75'), Adyn Torres, Ignacio Suarez-Couri, Arif Kovac, Daniel Chica, Dominik Chong Qui, Enzo Dovlo (Moises Tablante Marquez 64'), Cameron Dunbar (Liam Butts 71').

Substitutes not used: Patrick Weah, Ilan Ettinger, DD Sibrian, Miguel Pineda.

TEAM NOTES

Academy forward Theo Reed earned his first career MLS NEXT Pro start.

Academy midfielder Matheus De Paula scored his first professional goal.

Academy Forward Theo Reed scored his first professional goal.

MLS NEXT Pro Stories from May 23, 2026

• Quakes Ii Earn Two Points On The Road - San Jose Earthquakes II
• New York City FC II Shuts out FC Cincinnati - New York City FC II
• Four Goal Scorers Fuel 4-0 Shutout Victory over Huntsville City FC at SeatGeek Stadium - Chicago Fire FC II
• Academy duo score first pro goals to secure home win; Goalkeeper George Marks records six saves - Philadelphia Union II
• The Assist: Orlando City B vs. Inter Miami CF II - May 24, 2026 - Orlando City B
• Player Spotlight: Parker Scores First Professional Goals in 2-0 Win over Colorado - Real Monarchs
• St. Louis CITY SC Adds Colin Welsh to Roster on Short-Term Loan Agreement - St. Louis City SC 2

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Philadelphia Union II Stories

• Philadelphia Union II 1 Draw 1-1 with New York City FC II 1
• Union II extend winning streak to three matches to continue playoff push
• Union II defender Jordan Griffin scores game-winning goal to keep playoff push alive
• Theo Reed Named MLS NEXT Pro Rising Star of the Matchweek
• Reed scores brace as Academy forward John Ruf nets first professional goal in 3-2 road win