Philadelphia Union Academy kicks off the 2024-25 MLS NEXT season this weekend in front of the Union faithful as they'll host four matches against Achilles FC at the WSFS Bank Sportsplex on Saturday morning.
Saturday's matches mark the start another exciting season of Union Academy soccer as they look to write another exciting chapter in history coming off another Generation adidas Cup championship and another deep run in the MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs where two teams made the Semifinals.
The 2024 fall season is marks a new era for the club with new faces on both the sideline and pitch along with a few updated teams as part of MLS NEXT's evolution as a key pillar of the Pro Player Pathway. All MLS academies will compete in the U19 age group and rosters will be made up of U18 players and a limited number of overage players. The new pathway will create greater alignment by providing a higher level of competition for all MLS NEXT players before signing professionally, playing in college, or pursuing other opportunities. The additional year (i.e., shifting U15 to U16) will provide MLS clubs more opportunity to establish clear and effective development paths for each player. MLS teams will compete in the U19 age group at MLS NEXT Fest, MLS NEXT Flex and the MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs and Showcase.
In addition to the team changes, MLS NEXT has adjusted field sizes for the 2024-25 season, becoming the first North American youth soccer league to make fields less than 100 yards long. Field lengths will now be between 86-96 yards and the change will enhance long-term development by introducing players to tighter space and creating situations that prioritize technical ability over physical attributes.
The actions begins at 10 a.m. ET with the U-18s and U-13s on the Widener University Turf Fields at the WSFS Bank Sportsplex. After the morning matches, two more will take place with the U-14s and the Union coaching debut of U-16 Head Coach Pedro Cavalcanti taking place at 12:15 p.m. ET.
The weekend action doesn't stop on Saturday as Philadelphia Union Academy has also rebranded the Union Development Squad now playing as Union 3 for the 2024-25 season. Union 3 will be led by former Union midfielder Fred da Silva with Ian Hennessy serving as an assistant coach. The squad will compete this fall in the United Premier Soccer League with the season kicking off at Visit Delco Grass Field No. 3 at the WSFS Bank Sportsplex on Sunday, September 8, against New Jersey Alliance.
All five matches will be streamed for free on Philadelphia Union's YouTube page and can be viewed by clicking here.
