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 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 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.

The id2 National Selection International Tour is part of a multi-stage progression for targeted players, of which the outgoing year’s targeted age group was 2012-born athletes. Dating back to summer 2025, over 12,000 players were scouted by US Club Soccer’s scouting network. This included national and regional events, as well as localized scouting in club environments, where players are most comfortable. As players were monitored, US Club Soccer hosted two national camps in February and April/May. In February, at the id2 National Training Camp, more than 200 players participated in a week-long camp in Chula Vista, California. Then, the player pool narrowed further to about 70 players, who competed at the id2 National Selection Camp in Fairfax, Virginia. Now, the id2 National Selection International Tour is the ultimate reward for players in this process, and 18 girls and 18 boys are traveling to England later this week.

US Club Soccer is growing its scouting network to be the biggest in the country with currently more than 90 scouts contributing. Local and regional scouting over the past year has included: Player Development Programs (PDP); events within the NPL, ECNL Regional League and ECNL; showcases; and more. The 2026 cohort is led by id2 head coaches Darel Russell (boys) and Hue Menzies (girls) in close collaboration with US Club Soccer technical director Ross Paule.

The id2 Program is a leader in player identification and development, as it provides opportunities for elite athletes to be identified, developed and scouted for inclusion in U.S. Soccer’s youth national team programming. The id2 Program is an Olympic Development Program approved by the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee and the U.S. Soccer Federation. There is no cost for players to participate or be scouted, and all meals, lodging and gear are provided by US Club Soccer. For the id2 National Selection International Tour, all travel expenses are also provided. This approach to eliminating barriers to entry helps ensure the best players are able to participate. The id2 Program was created in 2004, and today, has grown to be recognized as reserve teams for USYNT. Id2 alumni include Christian Pulisic, Tim Weah, Brendan Aaronson, Tyler Adams, Diego Luna, Lindsey Heaps, Trinity Rodman and Mallory Swanson.