Last week, the Philadelphia Union hosted elite youth academies from around the world for its inaugural Snow Bowl tournament at the WSFS Bank Sportsplex in Chester, writes Owen Hewitt for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Featuring divisions for under-15, under-16, and under-18 teams, the tournament attracted ten major soccer clubs, including England’s Manchester United and Germany’s Borussia Dortmund.
The Union’s ability to attract European clubs of this calibre reflects the strength of the club’s growing global reputation, said Jon Scheer, the Union’s director of academy and professional development.
“To get Manchester United, PSV, Dortmund, some of the best European clubs, to come, I think it says something about the brand of the Philadelphia Union now,” he added.
The WSFS Bank Sportsplex, which the Union opened last July, also stood out as a key attraction for visiting clubs because of its quality.
“When they came over here, they said this is truly a world-class facility,” said Scheer.
The Snow Bowl gave academy players the opportunity to face high-level talent from Europe and North America, while staff exchanged insights on player development with global counterparts. The Union is now hoping the tournament will become an annual tradition.
Read more about the Union in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
