Penalties are always a difficult way for a tournament to come to an end, and that’s just what happened to U.S. youth international Konrad de la Fuente last week.

The Barcelona Academy winger and his side lost on spot kicks against Chelsea, after the two sides drew 2-2 over 90 minutes. De la Fuente left his mark on the game by setting up the game’s first goal. After the two sides exchanged second half tallies, Barcelona was three minutes away from progressing to the final.

However, Luke McCormick popped up to convert the equalizing goal, and the English Premier League side advanced with a 5-4 win on penalties.

Ferri signs pro contract with Gruther Furth

Last week, another young American made it official: he’s staying in Germany. The central midfielder helped Furth’s U19 side to another Bayernliga win, defeating FC Deisenhofen by a 3-1 score.

Ferri announced last week that he signed a professional contract with the 2.Bundesliga side. As a 2000, he won’t be eligible for the U19 team next season, as the team nears promotion to the A-Junioren league.

So honored to sing my first professional contract with @kleeblattfuerth thank you to @SpencrWadsworth David and @Wasserman for helping so much to get here. Can’t wait for what’s next🤩 pic.twitter.com/9WMQQRMBD5

— Blaine (@BlaineFerri) April 24, 2019

Two Americans were in the starting lineup for Bayern Munich, which fell by a 1-0 score to Karlsruher SC. Taylor Booth and Christopher Richards played the full match, as the away side tallied in the second half. Ian Hoffmann entered the match in the 79th minute.

Isaiah Young continued to feature in the starting lineup for Werder Bremen II, playing the entire match of a 2-1 loss against BSV S-W Rehden.

Also on the losing side of action was Alex Mendez, whose SC Freiburg side conceded an injury-time goal, falling 2-1 against VfB Stuttgart.

Center back Michael Edwards flipped the script for Americans in the A-Junioren league, as his Wolfsburg outfit picked up a 2-0 win over VFL Osnabruck. It continued to success for the former D.C. United Academy defender.

Ajax U17s drop match against FC Groningen

U.S. forward Joshua Pynadath earned a mid-week start against FC Groningen in a critical Dutch youth league clash. Level on points heading into the match, Ajax U17s needed a win to capture the league crown at that age group. Unfortunately, the team fell behind 4-1 in the game’s first 16 minutes, eventually coming up short by a 5-2 score. Pynadath played for the first half before getting subbed off, receiving treatment for an injury during the first half.

While the result was disappointing, Ajax was a bit shorthanded after hosting the Ajax Cup over the weekend, with a handful of players absent through injury or illness.

Sergino Dest, competing with the Ajax Under-19s on Monday, fell by a 5-3 score against fierce rivals 90 minutes, with the American right back playing the full shift at his usual spot.

Harper loses Cup final in Scotland

Cameron Harper found the back of the net again in Scotland, as Celtic FC U18 fell 3-2 in the Scottish FA Youth Cup final. Trailing 2-0 at the break against Glasgow rivals Rangers, Harper scored shortly into the second half as his side eventually drew level 2-2 four minutes after play resumed. However, a late goal meant that the day would end with the Rangers youth side capturing the trophy.

Vassilev starts for Villa U23s

Midfielder Indiana Vassielv continued to see minutes for Aston Villa's Under-23 side, which played to a 0-0 draw against West Bromich Albion in Premier League 2 action. The central midfielder logged 81 minutes before getting subbed off.