Philadelphia Union Academy added another title to their trophy case as the U-15s turned in a championship performance to defeat Atlanta United in the 2025 MLS NEXT Cup Final.
The U-15s run capped off a relentlous display of pressing and hustle despite high temperatures in Tennessee and playing in their fifth game in a week. Forward Timoni Gbalajobi earned Player of the Final honors with a brace to lead the offense but midfielder Samuel Gallego put the game away just before the hour mark with a jaw-dropping curler inside the post.
The championship marks the first MLS NEXT Cup for the Union Academy's U-15 age level and is the second in club history with the 2025 U-15s joining the 2022 U-17s.
Philly and Atlanta were in a tight affair early on in the match with both teams pushing for the opening goal. The Baby Snakes pressure paid off in the 34th minute after a pair of saves were followed up by Gbalajobi's patient effort to finish off the play inside the six. As Atlanta sought to battle back into the match in the second half, Philly converted on a counter attack with Gallego scoring once again in the tournament to make it a 2-0 scoreline. The Boys in Blue capped off the title run with a stoppage time third as Gbalajobi notched a counter attack finish right before the referee concluded the match.
The win on Saturday morning concluded a perfect run by Head Coach Ben Moane's side with their tournament run began with a resounding 5-1 win over Strikers FC in the Round of 32. Less than 24 hours later, the U-15s dug deep for a 1-0 victory over a feisty Weston FC side.
After a rest day, Liam Holtzman earned MLS NEXT Cup Player of the Day honors for his Quarterfinal performance, scoring both goals in the club's 2-0 win over the Colorado Rapids. In the Semifinals, Gallego scored a free kick goal but Saint Louis City SC responded to send the match to a penalty kick shootout where goalkeeper Kenan Livadic made a diving stop in the fifth round to set up Chris Thompson for the fifth and final conversion of the shootout.
