CHESTER, Pa. — Day four of Snow Bowl 2026 kicked off with the conclusion of both the U-18 and U-15 group stage matches, which saw both Philadelphia Union Academy squads in action.
Despite fierce competition from both sides, neither team managed more than a point on the day. The Union U-15s drew 0-0 with Borussia Dortmund, while the U-18s erased a two-goal deficit in an exciting comeback to earn a draw as well.
U-15 Match
The Philadelphia Union U-15s wrapped up their group stage slate against German side Borussia Dortmund. Entering the match, earlier group results meant a Union victory would have secured first place, while a loss could have dropped them as low as fourth.
After a highly contested 60 minutes, neither team was able to break through defensively, ending in a 0-0 draw.
The Union U-15s finished second in the group with six points, while Borussia Dortmund topped the table with seven. C.F. Monterrey and Manchester United finished third and fourth, respectively.
Friday’s semifinals will see the Union kick off at 12:00 p.m. against Mexican side C.F. Monterrey—the first meeting between the two teams in the tournament. The 1:30 p.m. match will be a rematch from Tuesday as Borussia Dortmund faces Manchester United after Dortmund won the group stage meeting 3-0.
U-18 Match
With both teams already set to meet in Saturday’s championship, Thursday’s contest served as a preview as the Union squared off with Lyngby.
The Union created two early scoring chances in the seventh minute, but both were denied by the Lyngby goalkeeper, first with a save in traffic and then on a corner attempt. Philadelphia maintained its intensity, nearly scoring again two minutes later with a shot that went just wide of the post.
Lyngby received a yellow card in the 18th minute after a player struck the ball toward a Union player during a stoppage in play.
The final ten minutes of the first half saw both teams push forward as the match opened up. Lyngby finally broke the deadlock in the 29th minute when Nicolai Hjulmand caught the defense flat-footed and blasted a shot to the far post, beating the Union keeper to give Lyngby a 1-0 lead at halftime.
Philadelphia created the first real chance of the second half in the 34th minute with a cross near the end line that led to a header sailing just over the crossbar.
Lyngby responded quickly, extending its lead to 2-0 in the 35th minute when Oscar Wind finished a counterattack. The Danish side continued to press down the left flank, forcing the Union defense to make several key stops, including one sequence where a breakaway hit the inside of the post and bounced out.
Jett Harrison finally provided a spark for the Union in the 46th minute. After a collision left the goal exposed and a failed Lyngby clearance, Harrison calmly settled the ball and finished to cut the deficit in half.
Philadelphia nearly equalized moments later when a lofted pass over the defense created a clear opportunity, but the keeper managed to disrupt the chance just enough for a clearance.
Following a collision that required attention from trainers, play resumed with two minutes of stoppage time and that was all the Union needed. Mateo Gallegos delivered the equalizer at the death, forcing both sides to settle for a draw.
In the other U-18 group match, Benfica defeated Alberg NextGen 7-2 behind four goals from Inoussa.
The Union U-18s will be off Friday before returning to the pitch Saturday evening at 7:30 p.m. for the U-18 Final against Lyngby — a matchup that promises another hard-fought contest.
Friday’s Slate
Friday’s matches will feature showcase games and semifinal matchups across the age groups.
The Union U-16s return to action at 4:30 p.m. against Mönchengladbach in a rematch from Tuesday, when Philadelphia earned a 3-1 victory. The other U-16 semifinal will see Benfica face Lyngby at 3:00 p.m.
Full Friday Schedule:
U-15 Showcase: Chicago Fire vs. Newcastle United — 9:00 a.m.
U-16 Showcase: Chicago Fire vs. PSV — 10:30 a.m.
U-15 Semifinal: Philadelphia Union vs. C.F. Monterrey — 12:00 p.m.
U-15 Semifinal: Borussia Dortmund vs. Manchester United — 1:30 p.m.
U-16 Semifinal: Lyngby vs. Benfica — 3:00 p.m.
U-16 Semifinal: Philadelphia Union vs. Mönchengladbach — 4:30 p.m.
U-18 Showcase: Alberg NextGen vs. FC Delco — 6:00 p.m.
Make sure to continue following our coverage of Snow Bowl 2026, as we’ll be down in Chester on Friday and Saturday bringing you full tournament coverage.
Main article photo courtesy of the Philadelphia Union Academy
The One Team We Agree On 
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