Philadelphia Union II are approaching the final stretch of the 2026 MLS NEXT Pro campaign, with just five matches left on the schedule.
Sitting in 11th place with 33 points, the side trails eighth‑placed Orlando City B by two points, and even a perfect finish would leave them with a maximum of 48 points, a tally that has historically been insufficient for playoff qualification.
To earn a home fixture in the postseason, the reserve side must collect at least 11 more points before the last round, a target that will require a marked improvement in both attack and consistency.
The Road Ahead
The decisive match is set for September 20th at 2:00 PM ET, a date that looms large for coach Ryan Richter, who has publicly pledged to give more minutes to forward Stas Korzeniowski.
Korzeniowski, who has featured in seven of the team’s 23 second‑team appearances, has already posted eight goals while being held scoreless only once, highlighted by a dramatic 84th‑minute winner against New England II.
Key Players and Scoring Dynamics
His recent form has sparked speculation among sideline observers that the 20‑year‑old is eager for a larger role with the first team, a prospect that could reshape the Union II attack.
In contrast, teammate Malik Jakupovic is currently mired in a scoring slump, a factor that has limited the squad’s goal output and added pressure on the coaching staff to find a solution.
Playoff Implications
If Union II can string together a series of positive results, the narrative will shift from a fight for survival to a potential surprise run that could see the reserve side punch above its weight in the playoffs.