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Union Academy teams open MLS Next play with lopsided wins over TSF Academy

34 goals were scored across three MLS Next matches on opening day

By Matthew Ralph
Jordan Griffin celebrates a goal against TSF Academy on September 12, 2020
Photo by Matt Ralph

Goals were at anything but a premium on the first day of MLS Next for the Philadelphia Union Academy on Saturday at YSC Sports near King of Prussia.

A total of 34 goals were scored by the U13, U14 and U15 teams against visiting TSF Academy. Another nine goals were scored between an early morning friendly for the U17s against FC Bucks (a 3-1 win) and a U12 match against PA Classics (a 6-3 win).

The U13s had the most lopsided of the results on the day with a gaudy final scoreline of 14-0. Gunnar Graham, James Soler and Peter Doran each had hat tricks in the match.

The U14s won 8-0 behind a clean sheet from Gavin Atkinson, two goals and two assists from Kellan LeBlanc and a brace and assist from Jordan Griffin. Michael Tzimoulis, Dylan Falcone, Stefan Chirila and Gabriel Wesseh also added goals.

The U15s won 6-1 in the first MLS Next match of the day. Defender Zakary Kandoussi opened the scoring but TSF was able to find an equalizer to keep things level. The Union responded with a goal before halftime from Dominic Wilson (assisted by Henry Bernstein) and added four more in the second half to coast to victory. The additional goals came from Jack Andrus (assisted by Bernstein), Antonios Horozoglou (assisted by Kandoussi) and Alex Perez, who scored a brace (assisted by Horozoglou and Jaden Francis) after moving from center back to the No. 6 in the midfield in his Union U15 debut.

A common theme throughout the day was goals from outside backs. Kandoussi and Falcone both scored from the right back position while Andrus and Tzimoulis scored from the left back position.

All four Union Academy teams return to MLS Next play this weekend against FC Delco and Real Jersey FC. The U17s, U15s will play FC Delco on Saturday morning while the U14s and U13s will face Real Jersey FC. Both the U14s and U13s will take to the pitch once more on Sunday for clashes against FC Delco to wrap up the weekend. The U12 team will also play Real Jersey FC on Saturday.

Saturday’s games will be the first of the season in MLS Next for Real Jersey.

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