Back-and-forth battle ends in a draw; id2 National Selection boys team ties Celtic Academy
GLASGOW, Scotland (April 24, 2025) – In its second match of the 2025 id2 National Selection International Tour, the id2 boys earned a 3-3 tie over Glasgow Celtic Academy, Thursday night at the Celtic Lennoxtown Training Ground in Scotland. The team needed every ounce of adrenaline, overcoming fatigue from a late match the night before, to earn a draw against one of the most anticipated matchups of the trip.
The game was split into three 30-minute periods with the first and third periods capturing all the scoring. The host club scored in the 12th and 20th minutes to earn an early 2-0 advantage, but the id2 National Selection team answered back with goals of its own in the 24th and 28th minutes. Milo Cid (Pateadores) provided the first, assisted by Charlie Guevara Fernandez (Rockford Raptors FC). And Alexander Rice (Washington Premier) capped an impressive run of his own four minutes later, beating the opposing keeper and tying the game moments before the first intermission.
Defensively, both teams settled down in the second period, holding each other scoreless. Goalkeeper Santiago Gonzalez (Indiana Elite FC) collected an especially challenging save in the 41st minute to highlight the period. Seven minutes into the third, Francisco Diaz (Bloomingdale Lightning) found the back of the net to give the id2 boys their first lead of the match. That lead was surrendered in the 83rd minute when Celtic Academy converted a corner kick to tie the game. The 3-3 scoreboard held through the final whistle.
The 2025 id2 National Selection boys team faces two more worthy challengers in Scotland. Those games will come in a mini-tournament format Sunday against Kilmarnock FC and Rangers FC.
- April 23 vs. Dundee United FC
- April 24 vs. Glasgow Celtic Academy
- April 27 vs. Kilmarnock FC
- April 27 vs. Glasgow Rangers FC
The matches take the teams to a few impressive training sites in Scotland, which speaks to the value of cultural immersion on this trip. These clubs offer unique training styles and developmental experiences that the id2 National Selection team is experiencing first-hand. Cultural immersion isn’t limited to matches and training sessions, though; the American delegation will also attend professional games and tour stadiums.
The 2025 id2 National Selection International Tour (boys) officially began April 21 with a day-and-a-half domestic camp in New Jersey before flying to Edinburgh. The tour, which concludes April 28, represents the final progression of the current id2 age group cycle targeting players born in 2011.
The id2 National Selection girls squad recently completed its international tour of France, facing three opponents in Paris and Lyon. To recap the girls trip, please visit the respective web page and browse Instagram for video and photo content.
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 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 and Nike. For the international tour, all travel costs are also covered by US Club Soccer. This approach to eliminating barriers to entry helps ensure the best players are able to participate.
Follow @USClubSoccer throughout the 2025 id2 National Selection International Tour on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube for coverage. A highlight video of each game will be available on social media.
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A National Association member of the U.S. Soccer Federation, US Club Soccer fosters the growth and development of soccer clubs in order to create the best possible environment for players of all ages.
Anchored by Players First and its pillars of Club Development, Coaching Development, Player Development, Referee Development, Parent Engagement and Player Health & Safety, US Club Soccer offers registration, league- and cup-based competition platforms, player identification and a variety of other programming, resources and services.
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