After proving themselves all season against teams along the Eastern seaboard, Philadelphia Union's top academy teams are in San Diego this week for the United States Development Academy Summer Showcase. The Union's U15s take the field today, June 21, at 2pm ET against FC Dallas. That match will be streamed live on philadelphiaunion.com. Philadelphia Union's U15s feature three recent call-ups to the US Boy's National Team, including Patrick Bohui (16 goals this season) and Selmir Miscic (27 goals), both of whom scored in a recent tournament in Italy.
On Monday, the Union U19s defeated Shattuck - St. Mary’s 3-0 behind goals from Iverson Brisma, Tonny Temple, and Shanyder Borgelin. Seth Kuhn’s first half strike was canceled out in the second frame on Wednesday, with the Union tying Portland Timbers U19s 1-1. The U19s will be back in action Friday against Colorado Rapids U19 squad.
A pair of goals from Nico Diaz saw Orlando City SC down the Union U17s 2-0 on Tuesday, with Zephyn Brocker-Kress sent off in the 89th minute. The U17s return tonight at 7pm ET to face Barca Academy, though the match is not currently scheduled to be streamed live. They close out the round robin portion of their schedule against Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday at 7pm, once again likely without live coverage.
This showcase is a wonderful opportunity for the Union’s academy players to face competition they have not seen before. Academies often battle with regional rivals throughout the season to establish their local rank before heading to showcases to match up against similarly-skilled opponents from across the country. The Union’s academy teams have been near the top of the Atlantic region throughout the year, and these tests will tell Tommy Wilson and the rest of the academy staff where their players are at so they can help them continue to improve and push on toward the first team.
