Boys id2 National Selection Team finishes England trip with 6-1 victory over Chelsea Academy

CHELSEA, London – The 2026 id2 National Selection boys team concluded its match slate in England Friday afternoon, defeating Chelsea Academy, 6-1, at the Chelsea FC Training Ground in West London.

Cameron Houston (Gwinnett Soccer Academy) led the scoring attack with a hat trick. Samuel Mengue (Virginia Development Academy/DC United), Wyatt Cannon (SC Surf) and Joseph Copertino(Seminole United) added one goal apiece. (Photos | Tour HQ)

Houston broke the scoreless draw in the 14th minute, rebounding a shot by Cannon. Five minutes later, Houston struck again, this time assisted by Copertino. Mengue made his presence felt midway through the first half. In the 21st minute, his header was saved by the Chelsea keeper, but four minutes later, Mengue drew a penalty kick after beating his defender, and he buried the PK to give the American visitors a 3-0 lead. Four minutes after that, Mengue again caused chaos among the Chelsea defense, forcing an error from the goalkeeper that gave Cannon space to loft it home.

The game was played traditionally with two 45-minute halves. Earlier in the trip, the id2 boys had played five 40-minute games in Liverpool during the Merseyside International Cup, in which they finished second. Just prior to halftime, Chelsea gained a goal back, scoring off a corner kick to reduce the id2 lead to 4-1. But, the id2 boys would not allow the hosts any closer, adding insurance goals in the 46th (Copertino) and 52nd (Houston) minutes.

The 2026 id2 International Tour began last week with a one-day domestic camp in Atlanta at U.S. Soccer’s National Training Center before the girls and boys teams departed for England. The girls have remained in London for the duration of the tour, while the boys split time in Liverpool and London. Both id2 National Selection girls teams return stateside Sunday.