Philadelphia Union Academy U17 squad completed the group stage sweep at the 2022 Generation adidas Cup, defeating Brazilian side Flamengo, 2-0, in Frisco, Texas. The win sees the Union squad secure the top seed in Group A and advance to the Knockout Rounds that start on Wednesday in Texas.
The Boys in Blue jumped out to the first half lead after a pin-point cross from Luke Martelli connected with Marcos Zambrano who smashed home the header for the 1-0 lead.
The Union's depth was then on display in the waning moments of the contest when Union II forward Nelson Pierre injected speed and physicality atop the lineup. Pierre bagged his second goal of the tournament with a right-footed finish in the second half.
In the group stage the Union's defense was top notch, allowing just one goal during the three 60-minute matches which came against LAFC in the second match of the tournament. After battling to a 1-1 draw after the final whistle, the Boys in Blue were perfect from the penalty spot with a 4-1 win to get the extra point against the California side.
In the tournament opener, Pierre scored the lone goal of the game for the Union Under-17 squad in a 1-0 victory over Weston FC.
The Union U17s will face off against the Seattle Sounders in the Round of 16 that kicks off on Wednesday evening. Seattle racked up seven points in Group D, defeating Santos Laguna and Austin FC in group play but fell in PKs to Charlotte FC in the opener. The two sides will face off in Texas with kick off set for 6 p.m. ET.
