The two sides experienced different results on opening day.
A player who scored 14 goals in the regional championships spoiled Lower Merion SC’s first day at the U.S. Youth Soccer national championships in Frisco, Texas, on Tuesday.
Forward Evangelo Spartiaris opened the scoring in the first half on a quick restart and added a second goal later in the game to lead the Chicago Fire Academy Raiders to a 3-1 victory over the LMSC Sabertooth Rats in the U15 boys division.
The three goals by the Raiders - Julio Acosta headed home a goal off a long cross before halftime - were more than the Sabertooth Rats conceded in all five of their regional matches.