Union beats Everton, 1-0, in friendly

It was a chance for young players to gain some experience and for veterans to get a breather in this long season for the Union, and

Roger Torres took advantage of his extended time.

The 20-year-old midfielder played the entire game in the Union's 1-0 win over English Premier League club Everton during Wednesday's friendly at PPL Park before a sellout crowd of 18,582.

Christian Hernandez's blast from just inside the box in the 88th minute was the game's lone goal.

Torres, who was the Union's most impressive player, hit teammates with long pinpoint passes and constantly pushed the ball on the attack. He has appeared in 12 Major League Soccer games this season, making two starts.

His ability to break down defenders is among the best on the team, but at 5-foot-5 and 140 pounds, Torres is still getting used to the physical side of the game.

"I feel this is an opportunity for me and I tried to do everything I could do," Torres said.

Torres seems like a grizzled veteran compared to Hernandez, who will be entering his senior season at New Jersey's St. Benedict's High School. Hernandez is considered an academy player for the Union - one who is part of the system, but doesn't have a professional contract.

"It is just shocking, getting my chance and putting it in is just amazing," Hernandez said.

Another of the young players who received a chance was 16-year-old Zach Pfeffer of Upper Dublin High, who entered the match for the Union in the 63d minute. He appeared in a friendly last season and has also played in reserve league games this year.

Pfeffer had some scoring chances, none greater than in the 87th minute, when he was stopped on a point-blank shot.

"I am not going to sleep for a week," Pfeffer said. "I got myself in a good position and got off a few chances and, unfortunately, they didn't go in the net. But I will get confidence from this experience."

This is a friendly week for the Union, who will meet Spanish titans Real Madrid at 9 p.m. Saturday at Lincoln Financial Field.

Everton played without U.S. national team goalkeeper Tim Howard, who has been given time off after  the Gold Cup. The U.S. lost the Gold Cup final on June 25 to Mexico.

Howard will rejoin Everton on Sunday, when the team returns to England. In his place was Jan Mucha, who was kept busy by an attacking Union squad.

On the other side, rookie Zac MacMath, who has yet to appear in a Major League Soccer game, started in goal for the Union. All-star Faryd Mondragon, who has played every minute of the 19 MLS games, got the night off.

The Union's starting lineup consisted of a mix of regular starters and reserves. Three-fourths of the starting defense was in the opening lineup - Carlos Valdes, Gabriel Farfan, and Sheanon Williams. Only Danny Califf didn't start.

Sebastien Le Toux, Carlos Ruiz, and Brian Carroll were among the other Union regulars who got the night off.

Union keeper Thorne Holder, who played the second half, kept the game scoreless after making a save of a dangerous deflection in the 74th minute.

Chat live during Saturday's match at philly.com/tgk

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