Union U17s and U15s both kick off second leg of GA Cup qualifying with 3-0 wins

The Philadelphia Union U17 and U15 teams kicked off the second leg of Generation adidas Cup qualifying in Utah on Friday with a pair of 3-0 wins over Inter Miami.

The U17s opened with a 3-0 win behind a brace from midfielder Nick Pariano, a goal from forward Nelson Pierre and a clean sheet by goalkeeper Owen Moore. The win was the U17s third in the competition out of four games and puts them even on points with Real Salt Lake in Group C at 9 with two games remaining.

The U15s followed up with a 3-0 win of their own over Inter Miami behind a brace from Aaron Heard and another from Francis Westfield. Connor Cresswell recorded the clean sheet in goal for the U15 team, which is on 7 points after four games — one behind second place RSL and three behind the New York Red Bulls in Group C.

The top team in each of the four groups in the U15 level advances to the finals in Fisco, Texas in April against four Liga MX teams. The top two teams in each group at the U17 level advance to Division 1 of the finals in Frisco while third and fourth place advance to Division 2 and the rest of the teams to Division 3. International teams are seeded with MLS teams in the finals for all three divisions.

The Union teams both play DC United today and finish qualifying against the New York Red Bulls on Monday.