MLS Youth Development update: Philadelphia Union opens High School

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“I’m not saying our model is better, but I do think it gives us the ability to really focus on driving through the culture of what it means to play for the Philadelphia Union,” Graham said. “A dream come true for me would be that someday these boys are representing the Philadelphia Union at PPL Park, they score a goal, that they run in the corner and they’re the kid that’s kissing the badge.”

Of course, many of the club’s academy players won’t be good enough to score goals for the Union first team some day. But the hope is that those that don’t are still in good position to play college soccer and succeed in life. And the Union believe that the few who do get to PPL Park will make this ambitious project worth it in the long run.

“This is not an inexpensive venture,” Sakiewicz said. “This is multiple millions of dollars over a long period of time. But our dream is to put as many starting-11 players as we can from our local area. And this is how we can do that.”

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