Everton Under-18s overcome Philadelphia Union

Jul 22 2011 by Neil Jones, Liverpool Echo

EVERTON’S Under-18s claimed revenge for the seniors’ defeat by Philadelphia Union on Wednesday, with a 2-0 victory over the Americans’ academy team.

The game was played in the boiling late afternoon heat and victory came courtesy of two clinical strikes from striker Chris Long.

The match was an appetiser for the meeting of the two clubs’ senior sides and Everton took the lead after 13 minutes when Long capitalized on some slack defending to race through and finish powerfully with his left foot. Centre back Ben Heneghan was denied from point blank range following a corner but Everton doubled their lead in the second of three 30 minute periods.

Again Long was the scorer, this time picking up the ball in the box from Adam Thomas’ centre and lashing into the roof of the net.

The heat took its toll but Everton were well organised. Keeper James Fitzgibbon had to be alert on a couple of occasions late on before Connor Maloney struck the woodwork for the hosts.