Philadelphia Union U13s to compete in CONCACAF Champions League

Philadelphia Union’s U13 team will be representing the U.S. in the CONCACAF Champions League in Costa Rica in August.

Union Academy Director Tommy Wilson talked about the recent invite with Adam Cann on the team’s Union Pitchside Podcast.

“It’s a really prestigious event, I’ve looked into it a little bit, under 13 teams from the Concacaf region are selected to represent their country,” Wilson told Cann. “It’s an honor for us. We’re delighted to be afforded that opportunity.”

Wilson said the team, coached by Phil Karn, was selected based on performance but also on the club’s overall approach to development.

“It’s really a recognition of the work that goes on across the club,” Wilson said.

The U13 champions league was started four years ago. LAFC became the first MLS Academy team to win the competition in 2018. Toronto FC, Montreal Impact and Vancouver Whitecaps have all sent teams to represent Canada since the competition started while U.S.-based MLS teams from Chicago Fire, Sporting Kansas City and D.C. United have participated in the competition.