Philadelphia Union U18s 0-2 Everton U18s

A brace from Chris Long (above) saw Everton's Academy side record a victory over their Philadelphia Union counterparts this evening, their second triumph of the US tour.

After beating the New York Red Bulls on Monday, Everton came up against the Union at PPL Park in a game billed as the appetiser for the later clash of the senior sides.

James Fitzgibbon was the man between the sticks, with a defence of Ben Heneghan, Eric Dier, Ryan Higgins and Ibou Touray. The midfield was Femi Orenuga, Tom Molyneux, Gethin Jones and Jasper Johns, with Adam Thomas and Chris Long starting in attack.

The game, split into three thirds to help the players cope with the 30+ degree heat, got off to a lively start, with Everton enjoying the lion's share of possession. Indeed, it was the visitors who took the lead when, on 13 minutes, forward Chris Long capitalised on a defensive error and finished clinically.

Long then doubled his and Everton's tally with another well-taken goal on 33 minutes, and the scores remained at 2-0 for the rest of the game.

NY Red Bulls U18s 1-3 Everton U18s

Everton's Academy side recorded an impressive victory over the New York Red Bulls in the first instalment of a two-game Stateside tour. The Everton goals came from Chris Long (above), Eric Dier and Jasper Johns.

The friendly match was held just outside Philadelphia, the city that Everton's senior squad had flown into hours previously. Academy graduate Chris Long gave Everton the lead after quarter of an hour, only for the hosts to draw level minutes later after a poorly-defended set-piece.

The ninety minutes were split into three thirds to allow the players to cope with searing 32 degree temperatures, and New York took control of the game in the second period.

Everton, however, did regain control of the match, with Femi Orenuga impressing on the wing and Eric Dier producing a goal-line clearance to keep the scores level.

In the third period Tom Molyneux's free kick was denied by the woodwork, before Eric Dier rose to power in a header and give the visitors the lead. Jasper Johns sealed the win with a brilliant long-range strike.

The Everton stars of tomorrow will now prepare for a game against their Philadelphia Union counterparts, which will take place before the senior sides meet on Wednesday.

Click here to read a full match report on evertonfc.com

Youngster Long In England Squad

Everton's academy striker Chris Long has been named in Kenny Swain's England U-17 squad for the upcoming Nordic tournament, which will see the Young Lions travel to Iceland.

Long was one of nine academy starlets who graduated into becoming full-time footballers at Everton earlier this month, and has now been named as part of the 18-man squad that will take part in the annual Summer friendly tournament.

England will face opposition from the Faroe Islands, Norway and Iceland before a final placing match against either Sweden, Denmark, Finland or a second Iceland team.

Long will follow in the footsteps of Jack Rodwell and Jake Bidwell, who both previously competed in the tournament, and Tyias Browning, Jasper Johns and John Lundstram, who were part of the England squad that took home last year's trophy.

Long has represented England at U-16 level during the 2010 Victory Shield, and also played for Everton at the 2010 Future Champions tournament in Brazil.

Academy Youngsters Graduate

Nine of Everton's Academy starlets have officially become full-time Everton players. Mason Springthorpe, Jasper Johns, Tom Molyneux, Mateusz Taudul (above), Ibou Touray, George Waring, Chris Long, Matthew Pennington and Connor Grant are now registered as Everton players and will work alongside the first team at Finch Farm.

Academy boss Ray Hall spoke to evertonfc.com, saying: "Today is an important day for the Academy. It is a long journey for these boys - for some of them it started at seven years old. This is the pinnacle of the first part if you will and the goal of one day playing for our first team is a big step closer.

"The manager came down and spoke to the boys and that was fantastic for them and you could see the impact his words had. They are fine young men but the hard work starts now."

The nine players include Mateusz Taudul (above), the Polish goalkeeper who you can find out more about here, and George Waring, who scored the winner as Everton defeated Fulham in the U18 National League final back in May.