Philadelphia Union Academy's U17 side looks to secure its spot in a second final for the 2024 campaign as they take on LA Galaxy in a MLS NEXT Cup Semifinal contest on Friday, June 21st. Don't miss the action over on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV starting at 8PM ET.
The U17s under the direction of Head Coach Peter McDonnell have had quite the magical run which has showcased their championship pedigree over the first three contests in Tennessee. In their Round of 32 contest against Orlando City SC, nothing could split the two sides with a penalty kick shootout determining the winner as Nehan Hasan coverted in the ninth round to send everyone at the Richard Siegel Soccer Complex in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, into a frenzy.
The Baby Snakes then found themselves behind two goals inside the first 10 minutes against Real Salt Lake but they clawed their way back however as Jordan Griffin battled for a second ball inside the box after a Union corner kick and scored in the 26th minute. The second half saw both teams battle to put the game away with a 2-1 margin on the scoreboard before the Union earned a free kick. Despite the difficult angle, LeBlanc hit a perfectly weighted shot with his left boot that snuck under the crashing goalkeeper to send the U17s to a penalty shootout for the second straight night. The penalty kick shootout continued the hectic nature of the contest as both sides traded goals and misses. In round 3 the Baby Snakes took the lead as Luca Mazzola scored right after a miss from Real Salt Lake. The momentum swung right back however in round 4 as RSL converted and then got a diving save to set up a sudden death situation for both sides. Goalkeeper Gavin Atkinson came up huge once again, making a big save to his right to set the stage for Hasan to covert the game-winning goal once more.
Philadelphia Union Academy's U17 side showed its championship resilence to overcome a one-man deficit to defeat Vancouver Whitecaps FC, 2-1, to secure their spot in the MLS NEXT Cup Semifinals. Playing their third consecutive match in as many days, the Union side found itself behind in the match against the Canadian side as Vancouver were awarded a penalty kick in the 22nd minute. Goalkeeper Gavin Atkinson guessed correctly however saw the shot just go beyond his reach to the right to put the Whitecaps ahead by a goal. Philly didn’t stay down long as a quick pass from the middle of the pitch set up a smooth move from Nehan Hasan to cut inside the box. 1v1 against the keeper, the shootout hero saw his shot saved by the keeper however Diego Rocio grabbed the rebound for the one timer to equalize inside less than a minute after the Whitecaps grabbed the lead.
Just before the first half stoppage time, the Baby Snakes saw their numbers drop to 10 as Zachary Greer was sent off for his second yellow card of the match. Despite being down on the pitch, Philly stuck to its plan with Anisse Saidi having a go from 25 yards out to force a tip save from the keeper. After a back to back coner kick clearances from Vancouver, the Union struck on their third attempt as Henry Bernstein connected with the lightest of glances from Saidi at the near post for the go-ahead goal.
Friday night's battle under the lights will see a difficult opponent but one the Boys in Blue are well acquainted with in the LA Galaxy. Philly enters the match as the two-time Generation adidas Cup champions with their 2024 title coming against the California side in early April. The game lived up to the billing with Diego Rocio putting the Union ahead in the first half but the Galaxy responded with two goals in three minutes to start the final half. The Union responded with a quick restart in the 44th minute as Jamir Johnson cutting through a trio of defenders before setting up the game-tying goal with a cross to Cavan Sullivan. The GA Cup Champion was decided in a penalty kick shootout with Neil Pierre scoring in the sixth round followed up by a miss from LA Galaxy.
