It’s not often that a goalkeeper is central to a game story after a lopsided score line, but it would be impossible to talk about the Philadelphia Union U17 team’s 4-0 win over Atlanta United on Friday without talking about Kristopher Shakes.
The 16-year-old keeper was called upon early and often in the first game of the Generation adidas Cup east region qualifier at Power Training Complex and responded well with a series of saves, a couple of the highlight reel variety, to keep his team in it.
His saves early helped set the tone for the Union, which grabbed a lead on a Axel Picazo volley in the 32nd minute before three second-half substitutes, including one who subbed in for an earlier substitute, to open GA qualifying with a bang.