Philadelphia Union Academy to Bring Back Union Juniors Youth Soccer Program

The Philadelphia Union announced on Thursday, March 27, that it is relaunching its Union Juniors youth soccer program beginning in August 2025.

The Union Juniors will consist of U9, U10, U11, and U12 players. The program will follow the Club and Country model, enabling youth players to train in a high-level, club-neutral environment while allowing them to compete with their club teams in matches. 

According to a Philadelphia Union news release, this departure from the traditional team-based model in the U9 to U11 age groups will enable players to progress with their soccer skills development with their clubs while exposing them to enhanced training pools in the Union Juniors. For the 2025-2026 season, the Union Juniors will field a U12 team.

“We are incredibly excited to relaunch the Union Juniors program as part of our evolving player pathway,” said Director of Academy and Professional Development Jon Scheer in a Philadelphia Union news release. “Our goal is to connect an expanded pool of young players to the Philadelphia Union, while supporting the great work being done by local clubs, to ensure that the future of Philadelphia Union talent thrives right here in our own backyard.”

The previous iteration of the Union Juniors program influenced the latest model for the organization and helped establish the foundation for the academy's youth development program. Homegrown Quinn Sullivan started with the club through the program, along with former Union homegrowns Auston Trusty, Brendan Aaronson, Paxten Aaronson, and Mark McKenzie.

All Union Junior sessions will be held at the WSFS Bank Sportsplex and will support 30 to 50 players per age group, who will train weekly. 

To join the Union Juniors program, players can register for and attend ID sessions, or they can be referred to the program by club directors and coaches. ID session dates will be free and will be held at the WSFS Bank Sportsplex across April and May. ID sessions will be limited to the first 50 players per birth year, 2014 through 2017, and across April and May. 

More information and registration details are available online.