Photo courtesy of Philadelphia Union Communications

Saturday morning in Murfreesboro Tennessee the Philadelphia Union Academy U15 team won their age group’s MLS NEXT Cup Championship over Atlanta United 3-0.

Striker Timoli Glabaljobi scored a brace tand was named Man of the Match. His match winner came in the 34th minute after a melee of chances in front of Atlanta’s goal. His second punctuated the win in the eighth minute of stoppage time. Sam Gallego had doubled the Union’s lead in the 57th minute.

The Union’s press dominated the match. The academy usess the same principles of play from top to bottom as the organization’s two professional teams. Those principles were fully displayed Saturday morning. Time and again Union defenders cut in front of Atlanta’s intended pass receivers to intercept and transition Philly back into the attack.

Philly head coach Ben Moane made only one substitute during the regulation 80 minutes of the U15 match. Central midfielder Max Karl replaced starter Landon Mulvenna with two or three minutes left in the match.

The Champions’ starters and subs

Shape: 3-5-2