Lost amid the U.S. Open Cup action and SuperLiga on Wednesday night was the Philadelphia Union's friendly against Chivas Guadalajara at PPL Park.
The friendly itself didn't really matter much, but the news that the Union fielded a 15-year-old academy player surely does.
Philadelphia fielded U.S. youth national team defender Zach Pfeffer, a 15-year old who just may be the youngest player (not named Freddy Adu) to ever wear an MLS uniform in an official match before. Isn't yet a Philly Union Homegrown Player, but his appearance for the Union on Wednesday would suggest he is a strong candidate to be the club's first.
Teen striker Jack McInerney, an old man compared to Pfeffer at 18, provided the lone goal in Philly's 1-0 victory.
Here are some other stories to get your Thursday going:
BLACKPOOL SIGNS KINGSON
While it has been a relatively slow transfer window for American players, Ghanaian players have seen some major moves on the transfer market. Kevin Prince-Boateng is heading to AC Milan, Asamoah Gyan recently signed an eight-figure transfer to Sunderland, and now standout goalkeeper Richard Kingson has signed with newly-promoted English club Blackpool.
Kingson joins Blackpool as a free agent after enjoying a stellar World Cup for the Black Stars, including a quality performance in the victory against the United States.
ARTETA INELIGIBLE FOR ENGLAND
After spending years playing in England with Everton, Mikel Arteta has long been believed to be a foreign-born player who might be able to give the English national team a boost if he were ever naturalized as an English citizen.
That scenario won't be happening.
According to a FIFA source, Arteta would not be eligible to play for England if he applied because he represented Spain on the youth national team level and was not already eligible for England at the time of that representation.
With Spain loaded in midfield, Arteta's national team chances are slim with his native country, but he had been considered a possible option for England. Even with the new development, there were already questions about whether Arteta would be allowed to play for England.
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What do you think of these developments? Suprised to see Philly field a 15-year old? Think Kingson can be a starter in the Premier League? Disappointed that Arteta won't be able to play for England?
Share your thoughts below.