PHILADELPHIA – The New York Red Bulls U-16 Academy Team kicked off the first leg of the 2014-15 Generation adidas Cup this weekend in Philadelphia, going 2-0-0 with wins over Orlando City SC and D.C. United. The team also drew 2-2 in a friendly with New England on Sunday.
The Red Bulls are tied for first place in the East with Toronto FC after the first of two regional events. The top two teams from each of three geographic regions will advance to the final group stage and play for the Generation adidas Cup over Easter weekend in the spring of 2015. In addition to Toronto and this weekend’s opponents, the Philadelphia Union Academy team round out the East group.
“It was good to get quality games against MLS academy teams,” said U16 coach Rob Elliot.
“It was a good that we won both games, but more importantly we played quality opposition and learned more about the group.”
Brian Saramango, and Tyler Adams both scored in the 2-1 win over Orlando City on Saturday. Saramango redirected a Mason Deeds header to open the scoring, and Adams finished a pass from JP Marin for the second goal. The lone Orlando City goal came in stoppage time.
Two late goals on Monday afternoon saw the team top D.C. United, 2-1. Matt Olosunde tied the game in the 78th minute. Olosunde finished off a good passing sequence, with the final ball coming from Ryan Mingachos. In the final minute, Deeds was able to poke the ball to Kyle Casey, who slotted one past the D.C. keeper to steal the three points.
The Central and West regions also kicked off this weekend with events in Kansas City and Oregon.
The second, and final, leg of the East regionals will take place over President’s Day weekend, February 13-16, in Orlando.
