The U-12 Kia Toronto FC Academy wrapped up the 2016 Generation adidas Cup on a high note, earning victories against MLS academies Chicago Fire and Sporting KC.
Day 1 Recap
Day 2 Recap
Kia TFC Academy 1(3) – 1(2) Chicago Fire
The U-12’s faced off against the Chicago Fire Academy in the first match of the day.
The U-12 Chicago Fire team are no strangers to Head Coach Gianni Cimini and his squad.
They were one of the MLS academies that the team played against in the 2015 U-11 and U-12 Kia TFC Academy Invitational tournament back in October.
Chicago Fire opened up the scoring off a free kick in a dangerous position. A Fire player capitalized on the rebound after the initial shot struck the crossbar.
The Reds would go into halftime down a goal, but came out flying in the second half, mounting the pressure on the Fire defenders as they searched for the equalizer.
The team had several good opportunities from Aidan Hugo, Jahkeele Marshall-Ruty, and Keegan Walker but was unable to break the deadlock.
Luca Accettola would equalize just before the final whistle.
Accettola blocked a clearance attempt by the Fire keeper and got on the end of the loose ball before sliding it into the open goal.
Penalty kicks would determine the winner.
Chicago would miss their second penalty wide left and the Reds would go three for three on route to a 3-2 win on penalties.
Kia TFC Academy 3 – 2 Sporting KC
The U-12’s would face Sporting KC Academy in their final match of the Generation adidas Cup.
It was an entertaining battle between two impressive academy squads.
The Young Reds would concede the first goal for the second straight match.
Goalkeeper Adisa De Rosario saved the initial free kick, but SKC was able to pounce on the loose ball and net the first goal of the game.
Accettola would equalize for the Young Reds.
Accettola beat the SKC defender on the left side of the pitch by cutting quickly to his right before setting himself up for a shot that was placed into the bottom right corner.
It would have been 2-1 for SKC shortly thereafter if not for a big save by De Rosario in close.
The teams would go into the half tied 1-1.
SKC would take the lead once again early in the second half but it was short-lived as Marko Stojadinovic leveled for the Young Reds.
Stojadinovic smashed a one-timer from just outside the box into the top right corner to make it a 2-2 game.
Dino Bontis was substituted in for the Young Reds to begin the second half and made at least three massive saves to keep his team in the game, including a kick save off a corner right before Stojadinovic equalized.
Walker would net the game winner just before the final whistle.
It was a great counter-attack by the Young Reds. Accettola squeezed by a defender on the left before finding Walker on the right who made no mistake, sending a shot into the bottom corner from in close.
The final whistle would be blown a few minutes later and the U-12’s would earn a 3-2 victory.
