After four rounds of 2018-19 Generation Adidas Cup action, Philadelphia Union's Under-15s and Under-17s academy teams are in the hunt to make the Champions Division of the GA Cup Finals in Dallas, TX later this year. The Champions Division pits top MLS academy sides against some of the best in the world, but only the top two finishers in each qualifying group (plus two wild card teams) make the cut. The remaining squads are placed in the Premier Division.
The Union are in Group C of the GA Cup qualifiers along with the following academies:
- New York Red Bulls
- New York City FC
- New England Revolution
- DC United
- Atlanta United
- Orlando City SC
The Union already played NYCFC, New England Revolution, and Orlando City SC at the Power Training Complex in October 2018 and New York Red Bulls in December 2018. On February 15 in Atlanta, both Union sides face DC United, and then on February 18 they conclude the qualifying rounds against Atlanta United.
U-17s path so far
On October 5, the Union U-17s fell 1-0 to a talented New York City FC side. Philly had knocked off NYCFC in the first match of the US Development Academy season, but in this tight contest they fell just short.
In GA Cup play, regular time is followed directly by penalty kicks if the teams remained tied, with the winner on penalties collecting two points and the loser taking one. The Union drew a wild 3-3 match against New England before taking three points off Orlando City SC in a 2-0 shutout.
Then, in December, the U-17s fell 2-0 to Red Bulls at the Red Bull Training Facility. The results leave Philly with five points, which remains within touching distance of the top two spots in the group. Red Bulls leads the group with nine points and NYC is nipping at their heels with eight. After facing off against the two cellar dwellers in Group C, Red Bulls and NYC go head-to-head at 9 a.m. ET on February 18. That means the Union will know how the top two teams in their group have finished before they meet the Revs at 11:30 a.m. ET.
U-15s path so far
Through four matches, the Union U-15s have steamrolled their competition. Outside of a 2-2 draw against Orlando City in their third match of the qualifiers at the Power Training Complex back in October -- which they won on penalties -- they have not allowed a goal. After pummeling NYC 5-0 to open the qualifying stage, they dispatched New England 2-0.
In December, the U-15s played out a scoreless draw with New York Red Bulls that left both teams in Champions Division qualifying spots atop Group C. The Union now face third place DC United and Atlanta United, which, like in the U-17s age bracket, is propping up the group. Red Bulls take on Atlanta before closing out with fourth placed NYCFC, which is tied with DC on points.
The GA Cup is among the top youth tournaments in the United States, and a strong showing to close out the qualifying tournament will reinforce the perceived strength of the Union's academy. As Ernst Tanner clears the way for these top young players like Selmir Miscic (who is signed with Bethlehem Steel but will play for the U-17s), Patrick Bohui, Dante Huckaby, Danny Flores, and Brandan Craig, Philly's academy coaches will look at the GA Cup as an opportunity for fresh talent to experience and learn from the pressure of big tournaments.
