Courtesy Major League Soccer, L.L.C.
Competing in the inaugural MLS Next Cup playoffs, the Orlando City U-17s are geared and set to compete in their respective age group final on Saturday against New Jersey side Player Development Academy (PDA).
Kickoff is set for 7:05 p.m. ET and stream live on MLSsoccer.com.
“This is a fantastic achievement,” Orlando U-17 head coach Javier Carrillo told the Orlando Soccer Journal. “We remain hungry because it’s about the next one. The boys know we will need a top performance to win the championship, and I’m confident we will be ready.”
The Lions U-17 squad entered the weeklong national tournament in Dallas, Texas after winning the Southeast division title in their first season competing in MLS Next, Major League Soccer’s own academy league.
The U-17s cruised through the knockout stage of the playoffs, defeating New England 3-1 in the Round of 32 before winning 4-3 in penalties its Round of 16 match against Shattuck St. Mary’s.
Orlando would defeat LA Galaxy (quarterfinal) and Sacramento (semifinal) to reach Saturday’s final against PDA.
Orlando will be without centerback Thomas Williams, who signed an MLS homegrown contract with the first team last month, after picking up a second yellow card during Thursday’s semifinal match against Sacramento Republic, which means he’ll miss Saturday’s final.
Centerback Quembol Guadalupe, who appeared to have played with some pain in the final minutes of Thursday’s final-four game, will be ready, per Carrillo, adding the Peruvian-American defender was just dealing with cramps.
U-17s Road to the Final
June 26 – Round of 32
Orlando City 3, New England 1
- Alejandro Nasato, Favian Loyola, Ian Silva scored for Orlando.
June 27 – Round of 16
Orlando City 0, Shattuck St. Mary’s of Minnesota 0
- Orlando won 4-3 in penalties.
- Alejandro Nasato, Owen Van Marter, Gonzalo Agustoni-Chagas, Thomas Williams scored their respective penalties.
- Isaac Delgado made the game-winning penalty save.
June 29 – Quarterfinal
Orlando City 2, LA Galaxy 1
- Ethan Subachan and Gonzalo Agustoni-Chagas with the goals.
July 1 – Semifinal
Orlando City 2, Sacramento Republic 1
- Ethan Subachan and Gonzalo Agustoni-Chagas with the goals.
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