Talented Philadelphia Union youth team competing in UPSL

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A Philadelphia Union Academy team featuring six of the top 10 players in the 2023 <em>Prep Soccer</em> rankings for Pennsylvania is competing this season against older experienced teams in the United Premier Soccer League. Known as the Union Development Squad, the team opened their first campaign in the semi pro league on Sunday with a 4-1 loss to Philadelphia Lone Star.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The score line wasn't indicative of the game or the talent the Union team has. Serving as a bridge between their U-17 MLS Next team and their Philadelphia Union II MLS Next Pro, the squad is full of top college and professional prospects. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Against the older and more experienced Lone Star squad they were able to create a number of chances through [player_tooltip player_id='13069' first='Luciano' last='Sanchez'] (No. 3 in the 2023 rankings) in the second half to try and cut the 2-0 halftime deficit in half but the counter attack thwarted their comeback attempts. [player_tooltip player_id='33225' first='Anthony' last='Ramirez'] (No. 5) played as a deeper lying playmaker, Left back [player_tooltip player_id='15234' first='Luke' last='Martelli'] (No. 6) was a workhorse all game, playing his usual brand of aggressive attacking and defending up and down the left flank. [player_tooltip player_id='17427' first='Noe' last='Uwimana'] (No. 10) started as a right back and transitioned to midfield where he was able to create a number of chances and eventually set up Carill Anjali for the Union's first UPSL goal. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":56857,"width":286,"height":190,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/08/6N4A3382-1024x682.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-56857" width="286" height="190"/><figcaption><em>[player_tooltip player_id='17427' first='Noe' last='Uwimana']</em></figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='15226' first='Logan' last='Oliver'] (No. 2) and Marcello Mazzola (No. 8) are also on the UDS roster but were with Union II for their trip to Columbus. Other standouts in the game included Conor Clair playing as a right-sided midfield in the diamond. Clair previously play more as a forward for the team last year but looked comfortable sitting in more, picking out passes and stepping into passing lanes on defense. [player_tooltip player_id='15128' first='Devon' last='Stopek'] (No. 13) was effective all game sending in diagonal balls and it was one of those balls to Uwimana that set up the goal. Stopek paired with [player_tooltip player_id='44495' first='Robert' last='Myrick'] (No. 22) on the back line. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Though the UPSL isn't typically a place you'd look for recruiting or scouting, the challenge the team will face each week will be very telling in terms of how individual players might handle the next level whether that is the college or professional path. It's also a way to gain new experiences playing against different types of teams with more experience and physicality they wouldn't necessarily find competing at the U-19 level in MLS Next.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Other players who featured in the match include creative attacking midfielder Alexandru Zamu, forwards Paul Killeen and Jordan Lawrence, holding mid Ritter Sundby (a 2024), mifielders Mohamed Ali Diallo, Mathew Porto and TNolly Morris and right back Aidan O'Sullivan, who is taking a post-grad year. Goalkeeper Otto Moosbrugger came up with a couple big stops in the match to keep his side in it. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOpTx6tsGf4","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOpTx6tsGf4 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->