1-1 at half. I did not list this under Youth Development since some 'regulars' are playing: Torres, Hoppenot, Wheeler, Konepka. Others of interests: Hernandes, McLaughlin, Anding, Campbell. McLaughling scored on a great pass from Torres. Konepka had 3 great saves in quick succession. More later. Only open section is the Club + Balcony so not too many people here.
Not sure. Could not see from the balcony. Ended up 1-1. Chelsea changed the whole team at half-time. Union kept on putting in players throughout the second half (even 15yr old Cody Wax got 5 minutes). Wheeler was a beast at center back. He was one of the few who played the whole match and made sure that Chelsea did not score again by making a key tackle, using his tremendous strength during one incident right in front of the goalie, and moving his line up so that Chelsea was often called offside. Chelsea played the match more controlled. A lot of Union balls where long in the hope that a runner would get to them. Lot of union players were unknown to me #24, 46 (in the first half; Cody used that number in 2nd half), 30, 32 (a young goalie), 42). Of interest was that Kassel played the 2nd half at left back. Campbell played the first half right back and was replaced by Anding in the 2nd half. Torres had that one great assist but otherwise lot of errant passes and dribbled too much. At one point he was fouled just outside the penalty area but the free-kick was wasted. Both teams scored again in the 2nd half but both goals were called offside. Both Union goalies were very impressive. Bravo to the Union for getting a good result. Chelsea just came off a vacation; because of that they may not have been as deadly as they could have been. Entertaining match that could have brought in quite some income had they marketed it; although then folks would have complained that a 15yr old kid had gotten in... So that may have been one of the reasons why they kept it behind closed doors.
1. Because the reserves need to play sometime; 2. Great way to introduce DA players (and the others) to quality opposition, some of which will become stars at some point; 3. Good way to test players like Wheeler in 'new' positions ; 4. Chelsea U23's are here to play the Union and the Red Bulls as part of their pre-season preps.
I was out on the Balc today too. My buddy is a huge Chelsea supporter and got us in. I thought most of the Senior team play well. And so did a lot of young guys. Not saying it was the game of all games but I dont remember seeing anything making me say, damn _____ sucks or damn _____ hope they do not see first team minutes. Chelsea has a solid squad. Union goal was a deflection and Chelsea goal was just a 2 v 1 slotted into back of open net.
I dont think Campbell was on the field. I could be wrong but he is probably with Reading tonight. Billy McConnell started and was at right back for about 75 minutes. Brian White, Barbier maybe Gomez and a few other current academy kids game in for the last 15- 10 minutes. Braden Burke coached. Hack was in the stands ....
Didn't Reading have a big game against Ocean City on Sunday as well? Was Burke able to coach both games? If not, who coached for Reading?
'Official' report: http://www.philadelphiaunion.com/ne...al-scoreline-academy-match-against-chelsea-fc
Same here. I would have gone in a heartbeat. It is a real shame that they did not open this up to more people.