In a busy weekend, the Union academy played a number of friendlies as they looked to ramp up into midseason form.
Cavan Sullivan netted the U15s only goal in a difficult 3-1 loss to FC Delco’s 15s in a friendly match. Connor Murphy also put in a strong shift but Delco’s size and strength overcame the Union’s organized defending as both sides had chances but only one finished them.
A brace from Jeremy Wesseh helped Phil Nash’s U12s come back from 2-1 down to pick up a 4-2 victory over Lower Merion Soccer Club. LMSC’s well-organized low block kept the Union from creating big chances until the final 20 minutes when Nash’s side increased their speed of play and got behind enemy lines.
The U13s went undefeated across two games over the weekend, with a 2-0 shutout of TSF followed by a 7-0 win over Real Jersey. Javier Linares scored on both days while Jayden Kouadio came alive on Sunday to notch a hat trick. Timo Gbalajobi started the scoring against TSF as the team moved the ball well and found attackers quickly with vertical connecting passes. They constantly sought the center of the box on Sunday, leading to the rout that included goals from Colin Fulham, Hayes Cooney, and Liam Holtzman.
The first half started slow for the U14s against TSF on Saturday as they fought off the opponent’s pressure and looked to get a footing in the match. After taking a 0-0 score into halftime, Phil Karn’s team went on top in the latter half but quickly conceded to finish the match 1-1. Charlie Weichmann had a big match in net to keep his side in it as they struggled to impose themselves early.
An up-and-down showing highlighted both the potential and the distance still to travel for Karn’s U14s on Sunday against Real Jersey. After going down one minute into the match, they fought back to take a 3-1 lead behind goals from Aaron Wesseh, Mateo Gallegos, and Declan lannon. Although able to control the space of the match, the squad had an off-day finishing and couldn’t find the corners. Late in the game, they lost focus and gave up two goals and finished the match in a 3-3 draw. Gallegos’ headed finish off a corner came from a sumptuous Willyam Ferreira ball, pointing to the advantages on set pieces this team will continue to look for going forward.
A controlling performance from Fred’s UDS side ended in a 3-1 victory. Luciano Sanchez’ brace led the way with Aiden O’Sullivan nabbing the third. In a physical showdown, the Union were persistent and tough as they took the opponent’s best punches and continued to play their style en route to the win.
Next weekend, the U12s face Alexandria while the 15s and 17s travel to Nashville SC. UDS faces off against Oyster Bay United FC.
Follow the Union Academy on Twitter at @phlunionacademy.
