Philadelphia Union Academy welcome another newcomer from Florida

Another youth player from Florida has joined the Philadelphia Union Academy.

Andres Sanchez made his debut for the Philadelphia Union U16 team on Saturday in a 1-1 draw with Cedar Stars Academy. The 16-year-old checked into the game in the 63rd minute, playing the final 17 minutes of the 80-minute match.

He joins the Union’s academy ranks from the Davie United Sharks Soccer Club in southern Florida, where he was the leading goal-scorer in the US Youth Soccer Region III championships and scored two goals in the national championships last summer.

You can see both of his goals at nationals in a game against Sparta (at the five-minute mark and a PK he converted in the 76th minute) in the video below.

The Union have recruited a number of players from Florida to join the residency program over the past several years, including defender Rayshaun McGann, defender/midfielder Frederick Gil, midfielder Darius Lewis, midfielder Emmanuel Perez, goalkeeper Kristopher Shakes, forward Raheem Taylor-Parkes (University of Virginia) and forward Sebastian Elney (University of Maryland).

First-team midfielder Alejandro Bedoya also has ties to youth soccer in Florida, having played for Weston FC in southern Florida.

The Union U16 team will travel to New Hampshire this weekend to take on Seacoast United.