Westfield, 19, was co-captain of the 2024 MLS Next Pro Eastern Conference Champion Union II
The Philadelphia Union have announced that defender Frankie Westfield, a YSC Academy graduate and Northeast Philly native has inked a homegrown contract through 2028 with an option for 2029. Westfield was a force with Union II in 2024 with versatility that should give added value as he has played left, right, and center back positions, though his natural position is right back.
From the Union’s press release:
“Frankie is a talented and versatile young defender,” said Philadelphia Union Sporting Director, Ernst Tanner. “His ability to use both feet effectively allows him to impact the game on both sides of the field, and his role as Union II’s vice-captain last season makes us confident in his maturity and leadership potential on and off the field. We’re excited to see the contribution he’ll bring to the first team.
Westfield joined the Union Academy in 2021. He had committed to play at Penn State in fall 2024, however he opted to sign a professional contract with Union II in July 2024. At the time of the signing, Union II head coach Marlon LeBlanc spoke highly of Westfield:
“He has proven himself to be a leader as one of our captains and has made great strides in developing into a two-way player who’s aggressive and impactful on the field.”
In October 2024, Westfield was called up to the US U-20 Men’s Youth National Team and featured in two international friendlies in Santiago, Chile, starting one.
While Westfield was called up on short-term deals to the first team during Leagues Cup in 2024 and was on the bench for three matches, he did not get any minutes. He had the most minutes of any player on Union II in 2024 at 2,313 and had six goals and six assists in the regular season, and a goal in the post season. He surpassed current Union II head coach Ryan Richter for most goals by a defender on Union II. He was named to MLS Next Pro’s Best XI for 2024.
This writer’s opinion: I am really excited for Union fans who haven’t paid attention to Union II to see what Frankie can offer. He’s young, but he is tenacious and the kind of player Philly loves. He was a big part of Union II going as far as they did in 2024 and should he get opportunities to prove himself with the first team, I think he will deliver. He reminds me a bit of Nathan Harriel with how he came up and improved. I think he has a bright future and is only going to keep raising his value.
Interested in learning more about Frankie? In case you missed it, we had him on our podcast in 2024- check it out for a great conversation.
Main article photo courtesy of Philadelphia Union II.
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