The Philadelphia Union Academy opened their 2016 Generation adidas Cup campaign with a scoreless draw against Colorado Rapids on Friday in Frisco, Texas.
A back line featuring Seth Kuhn, Mark McKenzie off a recent appearance with Bethlehem Steel FC in preseason, Andrew Aprahamian and Isaiah Holquist was able to keep the Rapids off the board to preserve the point over the full 70 minutes of regulation.
The team, however, failed to capitalize on a penalty shootout that would have given them another point in the standings. (In the competition, one point is awarded for a draw and another point for winning a penalty shootout; three points are awarded for a win in regulation).
Goalkeeper Carlos dos Santos made a save in the shootout but it wasn't enough as the Union fell 4-3, according to the Union Academy Twitter feed.
The other starters in the match were Kalil ElMedkhar, Justin McMaster and Issa Rayyan as forwards and Anthony Fontana, Josue Monge and Omar Ayala in the midfield. Fontana and Monge have both been playing for the U18 team since the winter break. McKenzie has been with the U18s all season. Matthew Real, who has also gotten minutes with BSFC in preseason, is also with the team and came off the bench in the game.
The Union are competing in the consolation Premier Division of the annual U17 competition. They'll have a day off before taking on Mexican club Pumas UNAM at 11 a.m. eastern time on Sunday and finish group play with an 11 a.m. match against FC Tokyo on Tuesday. Unfortunately, neither game is scheduled for a live stream on MLSsoccer.com.
The top two teams in the group will advance and the other two teams will get to play two additional consolation games.