Friday marked the beginning of the 2015-2016 Generation adidas Cup East regional qualifiers at the Kia Training Grounds for several U-17 MLS academy clubs.
For information on the tournament, click here: http://bit.ly/1RsufZZ
D.C. United took on the New England Revolution, Orlando City SC battled the Philadelphia Union, and the TFC Academy faced off against the New York Red Bulls in the first day of qualifiers.
D.C. United 2-2 New England Revolution (4-3 on penalties)
DC United and the New England Revolution kicked off the 2015 MLS Generation adidas Cup East region qualifiers on Friday.
It was the Revolution who opened up the scoring early on in the match. Lazlo Dorogi made a short pass into space for Gabriel Meireles who placed a left-footed shot past DC United’s goalkeeper to give New England the lead.
The Revolution added to their lead in the 24th minute. Justin Rennicks scored a belter from just outside the 18-yard box that beat the D.C. goalkeeper.
D.C. managed to pull one back before the end of the first half. Casim Zekoua finished off a lovely counter-attack to cut New England’s lead down to one.
Eight minutes into the second half D.C. United leveled the score. Alexis Cerritos got free down the left flank and put a cross into the box that was met by a header from forward Sahrfelix Sandy to tie the match up at two goals apiece.
D.C.’s Zekoua came close to scoring his second of the match and giving his team the lead but his curling shot from outside the box hit the wrong side of the post.
With the match tied at the end of regulation in the group stage, Generation adidas Cup rules meant that a penalty shootout would determine who would come away with an extra point.
D.C.’s goalkeeper guessed correctly on two occasions, stopping the first and third penalties taken by New England. D.C. missed only one of their penalties on route to a 4-3 victory in the shootout.
Orlando City SC 0-0 Philadelphia Union (2-4 on penalties)
Orlando City SC battled the Philadelphia Union in the second match of the day at the Kia Training Grounds.
Windy conditions on the day seemed to affect the play of both teams as both teams struggled to maintain possession and few chances were created in the first half.
Both teams were able to adjust to the conditions in the second half with the Union having two glorious opportunities to open up the scoring.
Philadelphia’s Issa Rayyan saw his shot from inside the box blocked and cleared off the goal line by an Orlando defender.
Moments later Orlando City defender Vandon Sky Menning acrobatically bicycle kicked and cleared a chip attempt by the Union once again off the goal line.
The match ended in a scoreless draw at the end of regulation and a penalty shootout would determine the winner for the second straight match.
Orlando City saw one penalty hit the crossbar and another saved by Union goalkeeper Carlos dos Santos as Philadelphia captured a 4-2 victory on penalties.
Toronto FC Academy 2-1 New York Red Bulls Academy
The final match of day one of the Generation adidas Cup East region qualifiers was between the TFC Academy and the New York Red Bulls.
The Red Bulls nearly had the opener in the first half but the curling shot from outside the 18-yard box pinged the crossbar.
TFC Academy forward Shaan Hundal opened the scoring in the 20th minute, pouncing on a rebound and chipping the ball past the Red Bulls goalkeeper in tight.
The Red Bulls were pressing following TFC’s goal and had a decent effort saved by TFC Academy goalkeeper Brogan Engbers in the 32nd minute.
The second half saw the Red Bulls hit the crossbar for the second time in the match off a strike from about 25 yards out.
The Red Bulls were eventually rewarded for their constant attack in the 55th minute after a penalty was called against the TFC Academy. Omir Fernandez stepped up and placed a shot down the middle that beat Engbers who dove to his left.
The game took a dramatic turn when New York’s Benjamin Mines received a straight red card for a dangerous lunging tackle on TFC Academy’s Kota Sakurai.
A minute later TFC Academy broke the deadlock. Sakurai sent a free kick into the Red Bulls area that landed at the feet of Hundal who took one touch before hammering it into the net for his second of the match.
Hundal’s second half goal held up as the game winner as TFC Academy defeated the Red Bulls 2-1 on home turf.
Watch the full match here: https://youtu.be/HlqbtcNkw_8
Day 2 Schedule:
Note: Toronto FC Academy's match against the Philadelphia Union will be streamed live on torontofc.ca/live
