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The Philadelphia Union returned to Al Lang Stadium for a preseason friendly against Tampa Bay Rowdies on Saturday night and rode a huge night from Andrew Rick and a pair of late goals to a 2-0 win in a match that had a U.S. Open Cup survive-and-advance feel to it. Meanwhile, down in Saint Vincent & the Grenadines Union II forward made it 7 goals and 8 goal contributions in two games of U-17 World Cup qualifying.

In the email today:

1. 🥒 Andrew Rick Shines in 2-0 Win Over Tampa Bay

Andrew Rick put in a man of the match performance in goal and Alejandro Bedoya and Danley Jean Jacques each put the ball in the back of the net in the second half to lead the Philadelphia Union to a 2-0 win over the Tampa Bay Rowdies in a preseason friendly on Saturday night in Saint Petersburg, Florida.

Union head coach Bradley Carnell fielded a reserve-heavy starting XI against a retooled Tampa Bay Rowdies team in the Union's fourth preseason match. Just Olwethu Makhanya was a regular starter last season. The hosts were on the front foot early and nearly connected with an early strike created by two of their newcomers in the attack in Union Academy grad MD Myers and veteran Russell Cicerone. Rick was quick to react on the Cicerone volley and keep the zero but it was a sequence of events in the second half that proved vital, including a penalty kick save to deny Cicerone from the spot and a quick reaction save minutes later.

The Union attack wasn't able to get much going the other way in the first half beyond a penalty shout after Sal Olivas went down in the box. After the break Stas Korzienowski had a good look with a rocketed shot from distance after shaking off a defender. The introduction of 10 substitutes off the bench after the hour mark ultimately made the biggest difference as the Rowdies dug into their bench and Union veteran Alejandro Bedoya found the back of the net after being set up by good ball movement from Jovan Lukic to Ezekiel Alladoh to Bedoya in the 70th minute.

With many of their starters in and the momentum from Bedoya's breakthrough at their back, the Union doubled the lead when Frankie Westfield sent a long cross in from the right flank to a wide open Danley Jean Jacques in the box. Jean Jacques perfectly redirected the cross past Austin Pack, who replaced another newcomer with Union Academy ties in Jahmali Waite.

Blake, who came on as a substitute in the 62nd minute, preserved the clean sheet late with a vintage double save.

Carnell used 21 players in the match, including Rafael Uzcátegui, Kallan LeBlanc and Jordan Griffen by Philadelphia Union II. Recent center back signing Geiner Martinez got his first minutes with the Union in the match and Jeremy Rafanello played both in the midfield and at center back.

Starting XI
Andrew Rick (Andre Blake 62'), Ben Bender (Jordan Griffin 62'), Rafael Uzcátegui (Nathan Harrriel 62'), Olwethu Makhanya (Geiner Martinez 30'), Olivier Mbaizo (Frankie Westfield 62'), Jesus Bueno (Jovan Lukic 62'), Jeremy Rafanello, Cavan Sullivan (Danley Jean Jacques 62'), CJ Olney (Kellan LeBlanc 62'), Sal Olivas (Ezekiel Alladoh), Stas Korzienowski (Milan Iloski 62')

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2. 🇺🇸 Malik Jakupovic Scores Five in Another U.S. Blowout

Philadelphia Union II forward Malik Jakupovic can't stop scoring.

After recording a brace in the United States' U-17 World Cup qualifying opener on Thursday, the 16-year-old chipped in a first half hat trick and a second half brace on Saturday to make it 7 goals in two games. Jakupovic also added an assist in the 10-0 blowout of St. Kitts & Nevis.

Philadelphia Union Academy goalkeeper Matthew White earned the start in goal and recorded the clean sheet for the U.S. without having to make a save.

Through two games the U.S. top Group E with six points and a staggering plus-18 goal differential. They'll face a Dominican Republic side on Tuesday that outscored Saint Vincent & the Grenadines and St. Kitts & Nevis 15-0.

3.💧Water Cooler: New Addition

4. 🐍 Social Post of the Day: No. 76

4. 🔗 Link Roundup

• The long awaited announcement of Chris Donovan signing with Louisville City came on Friday. The Paoli, Pa. native signed a two-year deal with the USL Championship club, which now has three former PIAA stars on their roster in Conestoga grad Donovan, West Chester Henderson grad Aiden McFadden and North Penn grad Josh Jones.

• Highly rated defensive mid Jett Harrison has joined the Philadelphia Union Academy. He’s a 2009 born player and a 2027 graduate.

• Keep track of summer team roster announcements with the Philadelphia Soccer Now Summer Roster Tracker.

• Keep track of local college soccer signings and transfers with the Philadelphia Soccer Now College Signing Tracker.

• Keep track of local offseason local player movement with the Philadelphia Soccer Now Offseason Transfer Tracker.

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