Philadelphia Union Academy stands on the verge of MLS history after the U17s knocked off LAFC 2-1, to advance to the 2023 Generation adidas Cup Final.
After the U15s booked their spot earlier in the day, the U17s followed suit with defense turning into offense in the second half to give the Union the lead for good. Edward Davis timed his pressing cue perfectly just after LAFC tied up the contest and played a pass into the path of Diego Ricco in the 37th minute for the 2-1 lead.
With the win, the Union are the first club in GA Cup history to have both teams in the Championship match at their respective age groups.
Philadelphia’s high press had the Union on the attack from the opening whistle against the Cali squad with quick passes and touches putting LAFC on the back foot. The Union’s front line combined for the first chance of the evening in the sixth minute when Edward Davis flicked a headed pass over the opposition’s high line to send Sal Olivas into a 1v1 chance. With a defender racing to recover, the forward saw his final touch dribble too far and across the end line before he could fire off a shot.
LAFC grew into the contest with a pair of chances just before the 10th minute mark. With the Union defense being extra aggressive, they were able to find space after eluding a midfield tackle and racing into the offensive third. With a Union backline in sync, LAFC settled for a long shot from way outside the box that went well wide. Seconds later they went to the same attack dribbling down the middle of the pitch but chose to make the extra pass to go out wide for a cross. LAFC’s cross was a dangerous one, sending it low on the ground toward the back post but neither side got a boot to the ball.
Philly regained momentum with an attack in the 12th minute, getting the ball to CJ Onley Jr. who drifted inside to his right. Taking the extra touch to spot where the keeper was leaning, the midfielder fired a hard right-footed blast low on the ground which forced a diving save by the keeper.
Philly’s attack broke the deadline in the 17th minute with their quick build up with a pass out to the left flank putting the ball at the feet of the US U17 national team member CJ Olney Jr. Cutting to his right with a single touch, Olney sent in a perfect weighted cross to the back post where Sal Olivas met it in stride to smash a header past the keeper for the 1-0 lead.
LAFC sought to equalize in the 23rd minute with a pass to the right side connecting with an outside back in stride. With a cross the only option, LAFC fired a hard cross on the ground to a player near the penalty spot but center back Neil Pierre made the important block in front of the Union net to keep the Boys in Blue ahead.
LAFC tested the Union one more time during opening first half stoppage time, again forced to create from a tough angle. Collecting possession near left back Andrew Craig, LAFC’s winger cut to his left before ripping a shot for the upper 90 but the curler was just wide of the post.
With each half just 30 minutes, the opening 10 minutes are especially crucial at GA Cup and with a spot in the final on the line, it lived up to the billing with both sides exchanging goals within a matter of minutes. LAFC tied up the contest in the 34th minute, with a cross from the right drifting to the post to force goalkeeper Andrew Rick to push it clear. The rebound took an unfortunate bounce for the Union though, with it coming off a defender and into the back of the net to make it 1-1.
The Union didn’t hang their heads down though and went back to work with their high pressure once again getting results. With LAFC looking to continue to build from the back, a back pass to the keeper was the pressing cue Davis needed to charge after the ball. Putting the keeper in a touch spot, Davis reclaimed possession near the end line and took a few touches as both sides raced into the box. Substitute Diego Rocio was the first into the box and tucked the pass from David right past the keeper to put Philly back ahead in the 37th minute.
Just like the first teams squaring off, the two sides continued to trade blows LAFC nearly making it 2-2 in the 50th minute. A pass from the middle of the park split the two Union center backs and sent them into a 1v1 against Rick. With the Union keeper coming off his line, LAFC snuck a shot under the kick save and inside the post. With celebrations happening at the corner flag, the assistant referee raised his flag to call the goal offside.
The Boys in Blue were timely when deciding when to push for an insurance goal after maintaining the lead. In the 54th minute the Union went for it turning to substitute Jeremiah White for a third goal. White got his moment at the top of the box, collecting a low pass and quickly ripping a shot that was saved by the keeper.
LAFC toss numbers forward as the click ticked closer and closer to the end. The 57th minute saw a big block from Craig at the top of the box to stop a shot. In stoppage time LAFC through the entire weight of their offense at the Union with Neil Pierre getting a stop at the doorstep in the third minute of stoppage time. The final chance left the fans at IMG Academy in awe as LAFC unleashed a perfectly placed header from a corner kick that was denied by Rick with a reaction save like Andre Blake.
Philadelphia Union looks to claim its second Generation adidas Cup at the U17 level tomorrow evening when they face off against FC Dallas. The Texas side enters after getting past the Columbus Crew in a penalty kick shootout on Saturday afternoon. Kickoff from Florida is set for 5:30 p.m. ET with the match broadcast exclusively on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app.
