
Philadelphia Union II Clinch MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs with 2-1 Win at FC Cincinnati 2
Published on August 31, 2025 under MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro)
Philadelphia Union II News Release
CHESTER, Pa. - Philadelphia Union II earned a 2-1 win over FC Cincinnati 2 on Sunday night at NKU Soccer Stadium to secure a spot in the MLS NEXT Pro playoffs for the fourth consecutive year. In the first half, Homegrown defender Neil Pierre opened the scoring in the 20th minute, followed by Homegrown forward Eddy Davis III doubling the lead in the 38th minute. Cincinnati responded in the 54th minute with a goal from forward Tega Ikoba. Goalkeeper George Marks registered four saves to hold off Cincinnati and secure the victory.
Philadelphia Union II travel to Historic Crew Stadium to face Columbus Crew 2 on Sunday, September 14th (3:00 p.m. ET / Apple TV).
FC Cincinnati 2 (1) - Philadelphia Union II (2)
NKU Soccer Stadium (Cincinnati, OH)
Sunday, August 31, 2025
TODAY'S MATCH INFO
Ref: Drew Klemp
AR1: Kevin Huet
AR2: Race Williams
4th: Salvador Flores
Weather: 73 degrees and sunny.
GOALS/ASSISTS
PHI - Neil Pierre (Sullivan) 20'
PHI - Eddy Davis III (Sullivan) 38'
CIN - Tega Ikoba (unassisted) 54'
DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY
CIN - Andrei Chirilă (caution) 7'
PHI - Stas Korzeniowski (caution) 82'
PHI - Markus Anderson (caution) 85'
PHI - George Marks (caution) 90+1'
LINEUP
Philadelphia Union II: George Marks; Nick Pariano, Rafael Uzcategui, Neil Pierre, Jordan Griffin, Cavan Sullivan (Malik Jakupovic 88'), Óscar Benítez Cobo, Kellan LeBlanc (Stas Korzeniowski, 64'), Noah Probst (Giovanny Sequera 72'), Markus Anderson (Willyam Ferreira 88'), Eddy Davis III (Sal Olivas 64').
Substitutes not used: Mike Sherdian; Kaiden Moore, Jamir Johnson, Leandro Soria.
FC Cincinnati 2: Nathan Crockford; Noah Adnan, Andrei Chirilă (Tega Ikoba 45'), Brian Schaefer, William Kuisel, Dilan Hurtado, Peter Mangione (Yair Ramos 60'), Yamir Uculmana (Jared Cardenas 88'), Carson Locker (Monsuru Opeyemi 70'), Stefan Chirila, Kenji Mboma Dem (Yorkaeff Caicedo 70').
Substitutes not used: Slade Hall; Ben Augee, Chance Malilo, Dominick Lester.
TEAM NOTES
Union II are the only Eastern Conference club in MLS NEXT Pro History to make the playoffs in every year of the league's existence.
Union II join St. Louis CITY 2 as the only clubs in league history to make it in each of the past four seasons.
Homegrown defender Neil Pierre earned his second goal of the MLS NEXT Pro season.
Goalkeeper George Marks made his Union II debut.
Homegrown forward Eddy Davis III scored his fifth goal of the season.
MLS NEXT Pro Stories from August 31, 2025
- St Louis CITY2 Draws 2-2 against Houston Dynamo 2 at SaberCats Stadium - St. Louis City SC 2
- Orange and Blue Come up Short in Second Half Push, Fall to Philadelphia Union II 2-1 - FC Cincinnati 2
- Philadelphia Union II Clinch MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs with 2-1 Win at FC Cincinnati 2 - Philadelphia Union II
- Crown Legacy FC Fall 0-1 to Orlando City B - Crown Legacy FC
- Toronto FC II Score Dominant 3-0 Win over NYCFC II - Toronto FC II
- Toronto FC II (3) - New York City FC II (0) Postgame Summary - Toronto FC II
- Revolution II Battle Chicago Fire FC II to a 2-2 Draw - New England Revolution II
- Toronto FC II Takes 3-0 Victory over New York City FC II - New York City FC II
- Sporting KC II Falls 3-2 to Colorado Rapids 2 - Sporting Kansas City II
- Rapids 2 Extend Unbeaten Streak to Eight Matches with 3-2 Road Win over SKC II - Colorado Rapids 2
- Chicago Fire FC II Earns Extra Point in 2-2 Draw at New England Revolution II - Chicago Fire FC II
- Toronto FC Loan Malik Henry to Toronto FC II - Toronto FC II
- Match Preview: Crown Legacy FC at Orlando City B - Crown Legacy FC
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 Clinch MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs with 2-1 Win at FC Cincinnati 2
- Philadelphia Union II Falls to New England Revolution II, 1-3
- Philadelphia Union II Draw Toronto FC II
- Philadelphia Union II Acquire Defender Kaiden Moore on Loan Through 2025 Season
- Philadelphia Union II Blanked by Chicago Fire FC II

