Competing at an event like the GA Cup is just one small step in a player’s development pathway. But as the competition has grown and evolved to include more international opposition, the importance of that has been impressed on an organization like Philadelphia.
“We’ve always enjoyed the GA Cup because of the level of competition it exposes your players to, and your staff,” Union Academy director Tommy Wilson said. “We’ve made it a part of our program, even outside of the GA Cup, to expose our teams to that level of [international] competition. This is something that we really welcome.”
The Union’s list of academy alumni in the USMNT ranks isn’t as extensive as FC Dallas. Still, Brenden Aaronson emerged as a key player for the Yanks before missing the final World Cup qualifying window due to injury. Belgian Pro League club Genk defender Mark McKenzie offered backline depth early in qualifying. Zack Steffen spent time at an early iteration of the Union academy, even winning the GA Cup back in 2012.
With the current pathway in place in Philadelphia, the list of full US internationals could grow longer. Four of Philadelphia’s Homegrown signings – Quinn Sullivan, Paxten Aaronson, Brandan Craig and Jack McGlynn – were called up to the most recent US Under-20 men’s national team roster for a trip to Argentina earlier this year. The quartet could all be in the frame to compete at this year’s U20 Concacaf Championship.
Aaronson’s success has helped the Union set up a template to replicate in the future.
“First and foremost for me and the staff, what we try to create here is a pathway for the players to the first team,” Wilson said. “And a pathway for the staff to the first team. Because quite a number of our staff are working for the first team who cut their teeth in the academy. The ultimate goal for us is to do with our club, with our philosophy, is to do what happened with Brenden.
“That’s something we can control: Brenden’s pathway. A national team selection is a bonus because it’s out of our purview. It’s not really in our control. We don’t go agitate when they’re not picked, we’re delighted when they are picked. That’s sort of an added bonus for them.”
Competing at a Generation adidas Cup was part of Aaronson’s journey to World Cup qualifying. At the 2017 edition of the tournament, Aaronson scored twice against Monterrey, including a late winner in stoppage time. The current Union Under-17 squad faces an extremely difficult group, drawn with LAFC, Flamengo and Weston FC. The U15s take on Portland Timbers, Atlanta United and Porto.
That’s all part of the process for the academy directors and technical staff – test players in high-pressure moments against high-quality opposition. Get a sense of who rises to the occasion. Find out if players respond in surprising ways or even exceed expectations.
