The Philadelphia Union Academy traveled south to Loudoun United’s stadium to face D.C. United’s academy on Sunday. In a match with few chances, the Union U17s came out on top thanks to a Diego Rocio goal early in the second half. The Union’s defenders won their 1v1 battles in transition, and DC’s lapse as the second frame began made the difference in the match. The red zone danger area in the box was cleared well throughout by an organized Union defense.
The U15s used a huge second half to run away from D.C. United 5-1. After DC earned an early penalty, the Union saved the shot and responded with a penalty of their own that was finished with aplomb. In the second half, the floodgates opened and Peyton Presson finished with a hat trick with Jamir Johnson and Anisse Saidi, both just back from national team duty, cleaning things up at the end as the snow poured down.
In the final contest against the I-95 rival academy, a back and forth match broke in favor of the home side in the U14s matchup on Sunday afternoon. The high scoring affair saw the two sides combine for seven goals but split 4-3 in D.C. United’s favor at the final whistle.
Philadelphia Union continues its March road trips next weekend with the U17s and U15s taking on New York City FC on Saturday, March 18th while the U14s and U13s square off against rivals New York Red Bulls on Sunday, March 19th.
