It has been a little over month since Union II signed goalkeeper and Naval Academy graduate Pierce Holbrook to the squad, and he has already been an important piece for the surging second team as they have climbed to second place in the East and third overall in MLS Next Pro. So far, Holbrook has started four games for Union II, attaining two clean sheets and making the decisive penalty shot save in the June 26 match against New England Revolution that helped Union II secure the extra point in that draw.
Union II has had four different goalkeepers this season so far, with Andrew Rick, Oliver Semmle, and Mike Sheridan all featuring in matches, but the story has been how all have been solid and helped Union II have the fewest goals allowed and best goal differential in MLS Next Pro. This probably comes as no surprise to some with the likes of Phil Wheddon and Ross Cain coaching them, and three-time MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Andre Blake as a teammate and mentor.
Holbrook, a towering 6’4″ 22-year-old and Littleton, Colorado native, joined Union II after a standout college career at Navy. From Union II’s press release:
“In 2024, Holbrook earned Second-Team All-Patriot League honors and led the league in saves (75) for the third straight year. He recorded three shutouts and had seven games with five or more saves. Over 54 games at Navy, he finished with 208 saves, 18 shutouts, a .756 save percentage, and a 1.24 GAA. He also helped Navy win the Patriot League title in 2022, earning a spot on the All-Tournament Team. He is also serving as a Marine Corps officer in the Selected Reserves.”
Holbrook’s arrival at Union II was a little more unique than most who join the squad. Normally, he would have gone on to complete his service obligation, however as explained by Union II’s press release:
“Section 557 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2025 amended the statutes defining the agreement signed by midshipmen and cadets attending a Military Service Academy and their resulting service obligations. These amendments authorize the Secretaries of the Military Departments to transfer not more than three cadets or midshipmen from each Military Service Academy who obtain employment in professional sports, to the Selected Reserves as commissioned officers to participate in efforts to recruit and retain members of the armed forces.”
I caught up with Holbrook at training this week to talk about his background and time so far with Union II. From watching training and speaking with him, I could tell he was fitting in quite nicely with the squad, and his affable personality seems to mesh well with the players and coaches there.
So first off, can you share what got you into soccer in the first place?
Pierce Holbrook: Yeah, so my dad’s from England, so I didn’t really have a choice, right? When I was born, and I could walk, I had a ball on my feet. So that’s where it all started, and he played soccer. He’s a goalkeeper, so he was my biggest inspiration growing up.
So what made you decide to go to the Naval Academy?
PH: Yeah, it was kind of a whirlwind of options, but at the end of the day, it was like an opportunity I couldn’t turn down as a place that not very many kids get the opportunity to go to, so I figured, why not give it a shot? And I showed up and it was the best thing I’ve ever done.
Can you share about your decision to sign with Philadelphia Union II?
PH: I think the Union invested a lot in me. Obviously, with my situation at the Naval Academy, it was a long process to get it all approved and end up here, but they are a team that invested in me and they wanted me and they’re willing to wait until I graduated to sign me, so just having that connection with them was huge and it’s nice when you’re welcomed into a club.
What have been the biggest adjustments going from the college level to the professional level?
PH: The speed of play definitely has changed and the intensity, like you’re training just about every day. The level’s high. Mentally, you have to be dialed in every second, you can’t take time off. That’s been the biggest adjustment- just the speed and the mental capacity that you have to go into training and games with every day.
So talk about working with Ross Cain and Phil Wheddon. What have been the biggest takeaways you’ve had working with them?
PH: Yeah, they’re just great coaches. They’re willing to work with you and they’re not there to yell at you. They’re there to develop you, and ask you your perspective on things. Like, they’re not getting mad if you don’t make a save. They’re trying to fix it, and ask what you saw and they’re just great, like coaching you instead of being dictators and telling you what they want. They’re willing to work and adjust to your style.
And then also training with the other Union goalkeepers, can you share what it’s like being around that group and anything you’ve learned from them at this point?
PH: They’re a great group of guys, obviously. They’ve all been here for some time now, so it’s been great to learn from them, and they’ve taken me under their wing to, like, just the whole environment, and obviously, you guys got Andre Blake, who’s a 15 year pro or however long he’s been playing, but he’s like one of the most experienced goalkeepers in the MLS and he’s out like, you’re training with him every day, so it’s great to learn from him and then the guys that are backing him, and Mike Sheridan, have been great guys to learn from. They’re great characters and good guys off the field.
Working with Ryan Richter, the short time you’ve been with him- talk about what your thoughts are on him as a coach and any wisdom he’s given you?
PH: As a coach, he pushes me every day, and he’s honest with you. If you make a mistake or you’re not sharp enough, he’ll let you know. And I think that’s the biggest thing that keeps you honest, keeps you focused and keeps you out a high level- which is good.
When you look at the overall team, can you talk about the culture and what excites you about this group?
PH: Yeah, the culture’s awesome. It’s like you walk into the locker room, everyone says “what’s up,” there’s music playing- usually Spanish music with the Latin American guys. But everyone wants to be in the locker room. Everyone wants to play. So it’s just like a great culture to be a part of, and everyone’s pushing each other every day on the field, off the field. So when you’re winning, it’s easy, but we haven’t had many setbacks, but it’s fun when you’re winning and everyone kind of bonds over that.
And you face a tough test on Sunday against Chattanooga. What do you think the keys to the match will be for the squad?
PH: I think just keeping the momentum that we have. We’ve, like- since I’ve shown up, we’ve gone five games unbeaten, so just keeping the momentum, just run them off the ground. That’s been our biggest success- is being fit, being ready, and being on our front foot, so just don’t let up and don’t let them have the ball, and just press them and don’t give them the time of day- just go.
What are your personal goals for the season?
PH: Obviously, keep playing. It’s good, but just learn as much as I can. I’m new to this environment, so learning as much as I can, learning from the guys that have been here longer than I have, learning from the players. I think that’s my biggest goal, to just take it all in for my first year, push myself and just try and, like- I don’t know if I have any specific things because I’m so new, but just take it all in and learn as much as I can from the guys that are here.
Main article photo credit: Philadelphia Union II
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