HUNTSVILLE, AL - Huntsville City FC marked their 2025 home opener with a win at Joe Davis Stadium on Friday night, fighting back to a 2-2 draw with Philadelphia Union 2 before grabbing the win in penalties.
The XI
Midfielder Ethan O'Brien missed the match with a knock, so head coach Chris O'Neal opted to give Adem Sipić the start, playing Gio Miglietti in a slightly withdrawn role underneath. Nashville SC duo Chris Applewhite and Wyatt Meyer started in defense, while Tyshawn Rose returned to his starting role at left-back.
Huntsville City FC Starting XI vs Philadelphia Union II Lauta; Rose, Meyer, Applewhite, Bowen ©; Casas, Véliz; Koffi, Barker John; Miglietti, Sipić BENCH: Delić, Gill, Studenhofft, Henry-Scott, Carmichael, Barrett, Carleton, Alonso, Jones #HuntCityFC #EveryoneN
— SixOneFive Soccer (@sixonefivesoccer.com) 2025-03-28T23:13:48.474Z
On the pitch
The Rocket Men got things started early, and who else could it be but Christian Koffi? The in-form winger grabbed his third goal in as many games, dropping deep into midfield to win a challenge. Once he had the ball, he beat several players on the dribble, exchanging a quick pass with Damian Barker John in the penalty area and arriving in front of goal for an easy finish.
Koffi can't stop scoring 😮
— MLS NEXT Pro (@MLSNEXTPRO) March 29, 2025
The @HuntCity_FC forward has his third goal in three matches!
📺 #MLSSeasonPass on @AppleTV:https://t.co/FzBIEVnnNJ pic.twitter.com/xTlkpGyrkO
18-year-old striker Sal Olivas pulled the visitors level just before halftime, and 15-year-old phenom Cavan Sullivan eventually pulled them ahead. After threatening several times, including a bullet off the post, the Manchester City-bound midfielder made a darting run to finish a tap-in after a slick layoff from CJ Olney.
Cavan taps home the go-ahead goal for @PhilaUnionII 👏
— MLS NEXT Pro (@MLSNEXTPRO) March 29, 2025
📺 #MLSSeasonPass on @AppleTV: https://t.co/FzBIEVmPYb pic.twitter.com/DeAbj08eGn
Huntsville responded quickly, though. Substitute Alan Carleton found the head of Barker John with a pinpoint cross, and the Grenada international made no mistake with the finish to open his account in blue.
An immediate response 💪
— MLS NEXT Pro (@MLSNEXTPRO) March 29, 2025
John levels the match for @HuntCityFC!
📺 #MLSSeasonPass on @AppleTV: https://t.co/FzBIEVmPYb pic.twitter.com/xh0L3kVoLm
With a point secured, goalkeeper Eric Lauta was the hero in the shootout. The first-year pro made a pair of saves to deny the Union and give Huntsville an extra point.
Up next
Huntsville have another weekend off, taking on Crown Legacy in Matthews, North Carolina, on April 13.
Highlights
Stats
Possession: HNT 61% – 39% PHI
Passes completed: HNT 427 – 237 PHI
Shots: HNT 14 – 23 PHI
Shots on goal: HNT 5 – 10 PHI
Penalty kicks: HNT 0 – 0 PHI
Expected goals: HNT 2.14 – 2.71 PHI
Goals: HNT 2 – 2 PHI
Fouls: HNT 10 – 16 PHI
Yellow cards: HNT 2 – 3 PHI
Red cards: HNT 0 – 0 PHI
