Boys id2 National Selection Team clinches semifinal berth at Merseyside International Cup

LIVERPOOL, England – US Club Soccer’s 2026 id2 National Selection boys team kicked off its tour in England with two wins and one loss during the opening day of the Merseyside International Cup, Tuesday at AXA Training Center. That included a 3-0 loss to Newcastle United FC, then a 3-0 bounce back win over Atlanta United FC and a 4-0 shutout against Aston Villa FC.

The American boys delegation continues its international slate Wednesday, as the Merseyside International Cup enters the semifinal and final rounds. The id2 team has earned a matchup against Hungarian side Ferencváros TC. The winner advances to the championship game against either Tottenham Hotspur or Aston Villa.

At the famed AXA Training Center, which is home to the Liverpool first team and its academies (U-9 through U-21), games at the Merseyside International Cup are shortened to two 20-minute halves. The tournament features eight teams broken into two groups of four with the top two from each group advancing to the semifinal round. Tuesday, the id2 boys faced off against two English academies, Newcastle United and Aston Villa, and one MLS academy, Atlanta United.

The first match of the day for id2 saw the squad face off against Newcastle United, a physical side about 100 miles away from Liverpool. Having yet to play a match as a group, a slow start put the boys against the ropes with Newcastle netting twice in the opening five minutes. Heading into the intermission down three, the halftime adjustments from the coaching staff ignited a valiant effort from the boys in the second half, but they would ultimately fall short with no additional goals from either side in the second half.

With a bitter taste in their mouth, the boys came out roaring in their second match against Atlanta United after an hour break between games. An intense and relentless high press led to a goal for id2 from Noah Angulo (Legends FC) in the 15th minute. A brilliant finish off the post from outside the box, Angulo was a standout player from game one, having come off the bench to make multiple tackles. His tenacity was something the coaches pointed out as motivation for the rest of the squad.

The boys would break through again just before halftime with a well worked run of play that saw Wyatt Cannon (South Carolina Surf) feed Cameron Houston (Gwinnett Soccer Academy) a through ball, which he slotted past the keeper. The id2 squad got a third and final goal midway through the second half by captain Joseph Copertino (Seminole United).

Heading into the third match of the day, the boys needed a win to secure their place in tomorrow’s semifinals based on other results. Facing a tough Aston Villa squad with the reigning Merseyside International Cup Player of the Tournament on their roster, there was a sense of pressure and intensity ahead of the afternoon kickoff. Sticking to the plan, id2 got on the front foot with a suffocating high press that repeatedly boxed Aston Villa deep in their own end. After 12 minutes, the boys broke through off a finish from Angel Sanchez (Mayas FC), the man of the match from both first two games. Five minutes later, Holden Wheeler (Highland FC) and Cannon combined to slip Samuel Mengue (Virginia Development Academy/DC United) through on goal, which he placed past the goalkeeper. It was Cannon’s second assist of the day, and he would later add his own name to the scoresheet with a goal of his own just before halftime.

In the second half, Aston Villa tried to counter with a press of its own but the id2 backline held firm, led by Luca Berry (NCFC Youth/Charlotte FC), who sported the captain’s armband while Copertino came off the bench. Berry wasn’t the only standout along the back four. The coaches voted Joel Luevanos (Legends FC) man of the match, as he played a key part in the press and continuously eliminated any chances down the right flank for Villa. The win and a place in the semis were bagged thanks to an emphatic finish at the near post from Jordan Hatchell (NCFC Youth). Stay tuned for live updates via @id2soccer on Instagram Wednesday as the boys chase the Merseyside International Cup trophy.

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 boys and girls teams departed for England. The boys split time in Liverpool and London, while the girls remain in London to play three friendlies. The id2 girls team defeated Chelsea Academy on Monday, 6-0, and will play Tottenham Academy Wednesday and London City Lionesses Friday.

In addition to international competition, the id2 National Selection teams also train at various facilities in the area, attend professional matches and participate in sightseeing excursions that are curated to create a multi-faceted experience that benefits the players on and off the field.