UPDATE | June 26
The Boys in Blue saw its season come to an end in the Round of 16, falling to defending champions Real Salt Lake, 2-1. After a goalless first half, the Union struck first with a 51st minute goal from Diego Rocio. However the champs battled back with two goals in two minutes to rally back and advance.
UPDATE | June 25
The U15s battled a gritty New York Soccer Club side but emerged with a 1-0 win in the Round of 32. The result sets up a huge contest in the Round of 16 as they take in Real Salt Lake on Sunday afternoon. RSL opened its tournament with a 3-1 win against BW Gottschee Academy with three straight goals after falling behind in the first half.
After a long regular season of MLS NEXT competition that kicked off in September, Philadelphia Union Academy's U15 squad begins the most important stretch of its schedule as it heads to Frisco, Texas for the MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs.
The 2022 squad goes to the Lone Star State looking to write their own history after seeing last year's U15 side reach the Final before falling to Real Salt Lake. With birth years dictating the roster, that means this year's U15 side coached by Henry Apaloo means there is no seeking revenge. There is only looking to survive and advance in the 80-minute contests during the single-elimination tournament.
Philadelphia Union's U15 side finished runners up East Division, with 29 points in 15 league matches trailing only rival New York Red Bulls. Unlike other sports, the U15s have already gotten a taste of playoff competition with the team participating in the MLS NEXT Flex Tournament May 14-17. The U15s picked up pair of shutouts in the tournament but came up just short in the group finale as Breakers FC broke through late for a 4-3 win to secure their spot into the postseason.
The MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs kick off on Saturday, June 25th at 10 a.m. ET, when the U15s take on New York Soccer Club. The New York side were 5-1-3 in in the Northeast Division allowing just .67 goals per league match.
