Photo: Toronto FC Academy Under-15 team.



After an exhilarating run to the finals of the Generation adidas Cup, both the Under-15 & 17 Toronto FC Academy teams fell just shy of winning respective championships Thursday in Seattle by the slightest of margins.



The U15 team held a 1-0 lead against Chivas USA until a late equalizer by the Goats. In extra time, Chivas edged the young Reds 2-1 with a spot kick conversion after an unfortunate handball called against Toronto.



Not all was lost for the U15s. To complement their impressive form, Luca Uccello – Toronto’s goal scorer in the match – received the Golden Boot in the U15 category for his tournament-leading five goals.



The U17s took on Philadelphia in their final, a thrilling affair that saw the teams settle their differences in penalties after drawing 2-2 through regulation and extra time. Jordan Hamilton and Mark Wadid found the back of the net for the Reds but they were on the wrong end of a 4-3 decision from the spot.



Academy director Thomas Rongen accompanied the teams to Seattle and expressed his joy in their performance.



“We are all so proud of every player,” Rongen said on Thursday. “Each of them represented the club to the highest degree.”



“Toronto FC definitely made a splash around here and our level of skill, progress and growth did not go unnoticed by many.”



Toronto FC Academy trains at the brand new Kia Training Ground located at Downsview Park.



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