Philadelphia Union: In Major League Soccer, a “homegrown” player is someone who has resided in the club’s home territory and participated in the club’s youth development system for at least one year. Homegrown players are important.

The program allows MLS teams to sign local players from their development academies directly to the MLS first team rosters. These players don’t count against the salary budget if they are registered using supplemental roster slots. The Union have produced over 14 homegrown players in in the MLS.

The club has been incredible at developing young talent and it has paid off. The Union have a record of 10-3-4 and are currently in second place in the Eastern Conference. Much of their success this year has come at the hands of their homegrown players.

The Union are currently ranked second in MLS and have produced over 14 Homegrown players, with Jack McGlynn being the newest player to join that list.

The homegrown players are young, budding stars like Brenden Aaronson of Medford, New Jersey; Mark McKenzie of Bear, Delaware; Anthony Fontana of Newark, Delaware; and Matt Real of Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania.

All came up through the Union Academy and are now making a difference with the top team.

• Brendan Aaronson has 4 goals and 5 assists in 17 games played this season.
• Anthony Fontana has been incredible off the bench notching 4 goals during a span in September where he only logged 131 minutes on the field. 
• Mark McKenzie is heady defender who smoothly distributes out of the back, McKenzie is a rising star in MLS in defense. McKenzie was named a finalist for the league’s Rookie of the Year award his first season.

The Union will travel to D.C United Wednesday night as they are pushing for first place in the Eastern Conference standings. They are currently 10-3-4 with 6 games remaining. They are in 2nd place with 34 points in the standings, 3 points behind Toronto FC for 1st place in the Eastern Conference.

Mandatory Credit: MLS Soccer