Philadelphia Union Academy's U15 squad booked their ticket to the MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs on Tuesday afternoon, topping their group at MLS NEXT Flex.
The Boys in Blue entered the contest needing just a draw on Tuesday in Maryland, after their spectacular play earlier in group play. The squad battled a feisty Sacramento Republic squad to a scoreless draw and then were smooth from the penalty spot with a 5-4 result to secure two points and finish unbeaten.
The U15s started their play last weekend with a 3-0 victory over the Cedar Stars Academy of Bergen and followed up with a 1-0 performance against FC Cincinnati to take control of their destiny.
MLS NEXT Flex featured 64 of the best MLS NEXT clubs from the U15, U16, U17, and U19 age groups battling for positioning in the MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs. The event was held at the Maryland SoccerPlex in Boyds, Md., and provides the opportunity for 16 teams in each competing age division to secure a place in the season-culminating MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs. Participants in the event qualified and were seeded based on their performance in regular season matches from August 2022 to March 2023.
