McGann, U.S. U17s fall short in Aegean Cup final

Union Academy defender Rayshaun McGann and the U.S. U17s came up short in a quest to start 2016 off with a trophy, losing 3-1 to host Turkey in the Aegean Cup final.

McGann checked into the game in the 64th minute with the U.S. down 3-0 on goals from Malik Karaahmet (19'), Enes Islam Ilkin (24') and Recep Gul (50'). Adrian Villigas scored for the U.S. in the 76th minute. McGann, who turns 16 next month, appeared in three of the U.S. team's four games in the tournament. He played the full 80 minutes in a 1-0 loss to Romania on January 16 and 10 minutes off the bench in a 2-1 win over Greece a day later.

McGann, a Florida native, was one of only six players in the tournament roster not currently in the U17 Residency Program in Florida. The tournament was former Union coach John Hackworth's first with the team since being named the head coach.

Matthew Ralph

Matthew Ralph is the managing editor of Philadelphia Soccer Now. He's covered soccer at all levels for a decade in the Philadelphia region and has also written for TheCup.us, NPSL, PrepSoccer and other publications. He lives with his wife and two young children in Broomall, Pa., but grew up in South Jersey and is originally from Kansas.

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