Philly Leader

Philadelphia Union Academy has announced that two of its players, Samuel Gallego and Timoni Gbalajobi, have been selected for the U.S. Under-15 Boys’ National Team training camp. This announcement was made in coordination with U.S. Soccer.

The Philadelphia Union is one of six Major League Soccer (MLS) teams to have multiple players chosen for the 24-player pool. The team will play its first international matches of the cycle against Mexico in Mesa, Arizona on February 28 and March 2. These matches mark the beginning of a new era under head coach Ross Brady, who has called up 24 players born in 2010 for this event.

All participants are eligible to compete in this summer’s 2025 Concacaf U-15 Boys’ Championship. The USA secured its first-ever U-15 Boys’ regional title in 2023 during its third appearance at the biennial tournament.

The roster for the upcoming friendlies against Mexico includes three goalkeepers: Emmanuel Arias from Nashville SC, Connor Dale from Inter Miami CF, and Jason Nemo from Chicago Fire FC. The defenders include Jeremiah Alexander-Munoz, Luca Antongirolami, Jackson Bowman, Christian Guillen Lopez, Justus Jones, Owen Jorgensen, Brenden Leon, and Finn McCraney.

In midfield positions are Samuel Diaz Gallego from Philadelphia Union; Vinny Garcia from LA Galaxy; Christopher Morales from Chicago Fire FC; Noe Santillan from Atlanta United FC; Nathan Tchoumba from Colorado Rapids; Robert Turdean also from Chicago Fire FC; and Niccolo Vafiades from New York City FC.

The forwards named are Ikenna Chidebe from LA Galaxy; Timoni Gbalajobi also representing Philadelphia Union; Camilo Guerrero from Orlando City SC; Alexander Hernandez from Colorado Rapids; Kane Kraus and Blake Wilson both hailing from St. Louis City SC.