Boys id2 National Selection Team earns 2nd place finish at Merseyside International Cup in England

LIVERPOOL, England – The 2026 id2 National Selection boys team advanced to the championship round of the acclaimed Merseyside International Cup but came up just short, losing to Aston Villa FC, 1-0, Wednesday at AXA Training Center. The id2 boys earned the title game invitation by knocking out Hungarian side Ferencváros TC, 1-0, earlier in the day in the semifinals. (Photos | Tour HQ)

In the semifinal round, Jackson Chacon (Strikers FC/LA Galaxy) scored the winning goal in the 29th minute, and the Americans’ held strong defensively late in the second half to advance. Merseyside International Cup games are played as two 20-minute halves. In the first half, Samuel Mengue (Virginia Development Academy/DC United) came close in the 11th minute, which would have been his second of the tournament, but his goal attempt was thwarted, and the Hungarians responded two minutes later with a shot of their own that struck the crossbar.

In the championship game, the two sides were familiar with each other, having played the previous day. The id2 side had won that game, 4-0. But Wednesday’s match carried championship game nerves, and the scoreboard remain locked at 0 for the first half. Defensive battles highlighted the game, but Aston Villa FC managed to break through just after halftime with the only goal of the contest.

Up next for the id2 boys team is a transfer from Liverpool to London, where they’ll play a friendly against Chelsea Academy before flying back west across the Atlantic. 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 Monday, 6-0, then cruised past Tottenham Academy Wednesday, 11-0, and will close against the 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.