Union U-17s Generation adidas Cup champs with 1-0 win over FC Dallas

Devon Decorte’s 24th minute penalty gave the Philadelphia Union U-17s all they’d need as they took down FC Dallas in the Generation Adidas Cup Final Sunday afternoon at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. The win was the Union’s second in the annual competition and the first since 2012 when Jim Curtin’s team beat Toronto FC in the final. The win capped a banner day for the Union Academy as the U-15 lost in PKs to Austin FC earlier in the day.

Both teams spent the first ten minutes trying to establish their style of play, but Dallas carried a slim possession advantage keeping the Union back to establish their press. Both sides traded long crosses and busted attacks until CJ Olney Jr. nearly connected with Sal Olivas in the 16th minute, but the Union striker couldn’t convert his attempt to re-create the semifinal opener.

The Union broke the game open when Dallas was called for a handball in the box following a Union header from Olney Jr. Despite the Dallas defender’s arm at his side, the spot kick was awarded, and Decorte converted easily to give the Union a 1-0 lead.

Dallas grew into the game and had a good chance wasted at 30 minutes after a strong bout of possession ended with the shot sailing over the bar. Two minutes later, a free kick from 25 yards out beat the wall but not Andrew Rick.

The second opened with a lot of pace as the Union pushed for a second and Dallas fought to get back in the game. Olivas had a great chance in the 43rd minute when he created a breakaway by dribbling away from the Dallas center back. His narrow angle shot almost split the legs of the Dallas keeper but didn’t make it through.

David Vazquez put on a dribbling display four minutes later, beating multiple Dallas players out wide and penetrating inside the box, but his momentum was stopped by a last-ditch tackle.

The Union were given another gift in the 56th minute when Dallas defender Mikey Murphy was given his second yellow for a challenge on Vazquez. The tackled appeared to be clean, but Vazquez did well to sell it, and the advantage gave the weary Union a lift.

The Union kept the shorthanded Dallas team at arm’s length for the remainder of the game, but Dallas had a great chance to tie the game in the 70th minute. The ball bounced around the box, and the ensuing shot from Luke Shreiner hit the side netting from outside the six. Six minutes into stoppage time, Dallas couldn’t convert in front of goal, and the Union saw out the remaining minutes to claim their second trophy in the past year after winning the U-17 MLS Next Cup last July.

Philadelphia Union Starting XI
Andrew Rick, Gavin Wetzel, Andrew Craig, Nelson Pierre, CJ Olney Jr., Antonios Horozoglou, Daniel Krueger, Alex Perez, Devon DeCorte, Zach Mastrodimos, Sal Olivas

FC Dallas Starting XI
Julian Eyestone, Toro Ibarra, Luke Shreiner, Jake Grote, Henry Canizalez Jr, Ian Charles, Mikey Murphy, Diego García Murillo, Jared Salazar, Malachi Molina, Nayrobi Vargas Valerio