Philadelphia Union’s attempt to lock up a spot in the 2018 MLS Playoffs this weekend (7:30PM vs Minnesota United) is not the only soccer taking place this weekend. The Union’s U15s and U17s teams are competing in the Generation Adidas Cup Regional Qualifying this weekend, and the club is hosting the tournament at the Power Training Complex outside Talen Energy Stadium.
The GA Cup is a showcase youth event, and clubs compete in regionals to earn a spot in the Champions Division of the GA Cup Finals early next year in Frisco, Texas. For the first time, both the U17s and U15s compete in the GA Cup, and both Union squads will play this Friday, Saturday, and Monday (see the schedule below).
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The top two finishers in each region (the Union are hosting the first half of the Region C qualifiers this weekend) and two wild card teams advance to the Champions Division while the remaining teams are grouped in the Premier Division.
This weekend, each team plays three games. Then, over the 2019 President’s Day weekend, three more games are played and the Champions and Premier Divisions are set from the cumulative results.
The Union have stellar talent at both the U15s and U17s level. Recent Bethlehem Steel signing Selmir Miscic will play for the U17s alongside US Boy’s National Team regulars Patrick Bohui and Dante Huckaby.
The U15s feature USBNT right back Brandan Craig and monster striker Nelson Pierre, and both squads have started the season strong.
How it works
Points are allocated as follows:
Regulation time Win: 3 points
Penalty shootout win: 2 points
Penalty shootout loss: 1 point
Regulation time loss: 0 points
The Union will face NYCFC, New England Revolution, and Orlando City SC this weekend. DC United, Atlanta United, and New York Red Bulls will also compete at the Power Training Complex. You can see the Union schedule below and the full schedule below that. Note that even though the Union are done after their 12:30PM match on Saturday, there will be a pair of 3:00PM games, so anybody looking for a full day of soccer prior to the first team’s matchup with Minnesota United will have plenty to see.
Philadelphia Union GA Cup Schedule: October 5-8
All matches take place at the Power Training Complex next to Talen Energy Stadium
Friday, October 5
10:00AM — Union U17s vs NYCFC
3:00PM — Union U15s vs NYCFC
Saturday, October 6
10:00AM — Union U17s vs New England Revolution
12:30PM — Union U15s vs New England Revolution
Monday, October 8
10:00AM — Union U15s vs Orlando City SC
12:30PM — Union U17s vs Orlando City SC
See the full schedule below:
U-15s
U17s
