Philadelphia Union II continued their impressive start to the MLS Next Pro campaign with a shellacking of Atlanta United 2 last night and the Union Yards has an open date. Happy Tuesday!

In the email today:

1. 🔥 Union II Blow Out Atlanta United 2

Chris Donovan had a brace and Kyle Tucker and CJ Olney both scored on free kicks to lead Philadelphia Union II to a convincing 5-0 win over Atlanta United 2 on Monday night.

With the win, Union II improved to 3-2-0 on the season and stretched the combined unbeaten run to start the regular season for the first and second team to 12.

Making his first Union II start of the season, Donovan was joined by fellow first team players Markus Anderson, Olwethu Makhanya, Jamir Berdecio, Sanders Ngabo and Nick Pariano in one of the strongest lineups the team has fielded this season. Donovan wasted little time putting his stamp on the game, heading home a David Vazquez cross in the 18th minute.

The score would hold until halftime with the real fireworks of the evening to come in the second half. Eddy Davis III came off the bench to double the lead when he collected a ball headed down from Donovan in the box fired it at the keeper and headed in the rebound. The goal was the third of the campaign for Davis who has been a disruptive force in the box and a pest to goalkeepers in the early going in the season.

CJ Olney added to the lead five minutes later with the first of two free kick goals scored just outside the 18. Olney’s hammered curler added insult to injury to Atlanta United 2 keeper John Berner’s less than stellar night. But the damage was still not done.

Vazquez found a streaking Donovan near the middle of the field in the 65th minute and Donovan’s pace got him into a 1v1 with Berner the Uni0n forward would score on from a shot from the 18 deflected in by Berner.

Already up 4-0 on a demoralized Atlanta United 2 squad, Donovan’s former Drexel and West Chester United teammate Kyle Tucker made sure there was one last exclamation point on the proceedings at Kennesaw State University. Tucker’s curling effort a few yards to the left of where Olney converted and slight closer to the 18 was the first of Tucker’s professional career and capped an exciting 5-0 win.

2. 🍺 Union Yards Opening April 27

By Sean Sullivan

A fresh pre- and post-match experience is about to transform the game day atmosphere at Subaru Park. The Philadelphia Union announced on Monday that their new 40,000-square-foot tailgate and brew hall, ‘Union Yards,’ will open at their next home game on April 27th. This new venue features a 7,000-square-foot indoor brew hall and a 32,000-square-foot outdoor tailgate zone.

Inside, the ‘Dogfish Head Bar at Union Yards’ offers a 50-foot full bar serving 20 beers on tap, wine, liquor, and soft drinks. The main hall includes multiple rows of communal tables and big screen TVs to showcase Major League Soccer games and other local sports events.

At one end of the brew hall, the ‘GIANT Boot Room’ provides a rentable private event space. Decorated with Union memorabilia, this area features a wall of cleats signed by Union players, legends, and other notable figures.

Outside, the ‘GIANT Tailgate at Union Yards’ extends over 32,500 square feet. This vibrant outdoor space includes communal tables, live music, entertainment, tailgate games, and lounge seating with fire pits. Fans can also enjoy a variety of food from vendors or select from a menu of burgers and sandwiches.

Located across from the Sons of Ben tailgate lot and near the Larimer Brewhouse, ‘Union Yards’ offers fans attending the game a multitude of options.

3. 🧢 Tweet of the Day: Add Delco Man Feature

4. 💧 Water Cooler: Two and a Half Men Results

5. 🔗 Link Roundup

• Over at Crossing Broad, Kevin Kinkead takes on Atlanta fans harping over Nathan Harriel’s “foul throw” on the equalizer

• Could Brenden Aaronson be joining his brother and fellow academy grads Jack McGlynn and Nathan Harriel in Paris? Larry Henry at SBI Soccer lists Aaronson as one of the possible considerations for overage players on the U.S. Men’s Olympic Team.

• Union comms team member Niko Dinoulis is profiled on the Widener University website.

• Kai Wagner made the MLS Team of the Week (at right center back on the graphic) for his performance in Atlanta. Matt Freese also in the team.

Philadelphia Union One Planet Pre-Match Jersey Now Available. Order at the MLS Store.

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