Co-written by Jillian and Kyle Almoney
Houston – When a beloved player who came up through the academy, stood tall in big moments even at a young age, and impressed with his skills (especially that left foot) gets abruptly traded, fans can be understandably confused and upset. Such was the case with Jack McGlynn, the 22-year-old former Philadelphia Union homegrown who at just 18 memorably stepped up to the penalty spot to bury the decisive kick against Nashville in a 2021 playoff game shootout and was a part of the beloved 2022 team that narrowly missed winning the MLS Cup Final. He had many big moments with the Union, including a spectacular goal against DC United in 2024 that could have (should have?) been named goal of the year.
On February 3, 2025 it was announced that he had been traded to the Houston Dynamo as part of the new cash for player trade rule. While few may have been surprised to have seen him go off to Europe as the young midfielder was getting a lot of attention with having been on the 2024 United States Olympic team and part of the U.S. Men’s National Team camp in January, being traded to another MLS club caught some off guard, including Jack himself. The move was seen as a win-win for the two clubs as Jack could go to a system that fit his playing style better, and the Union would benefit monetarily, including a sell-on clause. Emotions, of course, can still overrule any pragmatism, which is perfectly natural and understandable.
A family reunion in Houston
As it so happened, the Union would be traveling to Houston to play the Dynamo on July 19, which naturally led to the big storyline of Jack versus his former team. The One Team We Agree On team traveled to Houston to cover the match, which ended in a 1-1 draw. The match was marked by excessive play stoppages and cards, controversial referee calls, and a lot of talk about goal celebrations. The Union would get on the board early courtesy of Alejandro Bedoya, who, with several teammates, celebrated in the corner in the same manner in which Jack does when he scores.
As first half stoppage time was running out, Houston earned a penalty kick and to absolutely no one’s surprise, Jack would step up to be the penalty taker, and buried his shot to tie the game. During his celebration, he kissed the badge on his jersey multiple times and made some gestures in an apparent jab at his former club, but he mentioned in his post-game presser that he has a lot of love for everyone in Philly and it was all in good fun, and joked that he “couldn’t let it slide” with the Union players doing his celebration.
“I obviously have a lot of love for everything Philly did for me,” Jack shared when asked about his celebration. “It’s kind of the club that raised me, gave me a chance to be a pro, so I love that club. I love all the people there. So, yeah, kissing the badge is nothing against them. Trust me. I love everything there. And I love all the fans, too, ’cause I know I know they’re all talking about it. I saw that. But, yeah, I love them.”
Post-game interview with Jack McGlynn
The One Team We Agree On team had the chance to talk to Jack after the match and catch up with him about the emotions involved and the overall transition to the Dynamo, playing under a new coaching staff, and his national team time amongst other things. We met with him in the “mixed zone” area that is outside the teams’ locker rooms, so players and staff would be coming and going. The interview would be interrupted several times by his former Union teammates and Union staff joking with him or greeting him (which you can hear some of within the audio) and one could see the love and appreciation between all involved. Jack meant a lot, and still means a lot, to Philly, and the feeling is reciprocated.
The trade to Houston…so kind of just take us back to that whole thing, the emotions.
JM: Yeah, it was just more shocking anything, you know. It’s you know, Philly was like, my boyhood club, kind of gave me a chance to become professional, so I have a lot of love and appreciation for everything they did. But yeah, it was more shocked than anything at the time, but I’m glad that’s worked out for both sides. You see they’re doing well, and I’m so happy for them. But yeah, I’m doing well, too, so I’m happy that it worked out for both sides.
How was that transition to moving from Philly to Houston and what were some of the adjustments for you?
JM: Yeah, it was definitely different, I think… new style of play, new system, but I think they helped me develop so much and, like, kind of just, like, centered a lot of their folks around me to help me adjust. So I think it’s been great so far, and I hope we make a playoff push now.
Ben Olsen’s been around MLS for a bit. Talk about him as a coach and how you feel his tactical styles benefit your development.
JM: Yeah, he’s been great so far, from day one, he’s kind of took me under his wing and kind of done a lot of one on one with me, a lot of video, a lot of on the field adjustments. So, yeah, it’s been great so far. I’ve developed a lot since I’ve been here playing in a new role, a new system, so he’s been great so far.
And how’s it been with Aurélien Collin? You guys played together in 2021, what’s it been like to reconnect?
JM: Yeah, it was cool. You know, I didn’t really know that he was here, honestly, when I came here, so to see a kind of familiar face in a room, like, maybe didn’t know too many people. It was really nice to see him when I first got here. And yeah, off the field, he’s been such a good help, on the field too. He does so much for the club. So it’s been great so far.
Then what have been your thoughts on the team’s season so far at this point- just you guys fighting for a playoff spot? What’s been the message there?
JM: I think today was probably a much better showing of us. I think our fight today was great. We knew that Philly, the way they play, they’d want to come in and kind of out-physical you, out-duel you, so we weren’t gonna let that happen. I think we did that well, and we gotta keep doing that for the rest of the season and hopefully make a playoff push.
What was your assessment with the Gold Cup time? What was your assessment of your performance and the overall team’s performance?
JM: I think it was such a great experience. I think being there for a month with some of the players there, some of the coaching staff, you learned so much under them, and it was definitely a great month. I think when I got the chance, I think I did my best to show well, so hopefully can perform here and keep getting called up and just give my all for the country.
And then having all those other former Union/Union Academy players there, what was that like with Brenden [Aaronson], Paxten [Aaronson], and Mark [McKenzie] and all those guys… Matt [Freese]…
JM: Yeah, just seeing those guys, it was amazing. It was… you kind of see the Union Academy shine, you know, it’s such a great development place, and they trust so much in young guys, and that kind of pays off with experience down the road. It was definitely great seeing all familiar faces the there.
And then looking ahead, what are your personal goals for this season moving forward?
JM: Well, number one is make playoffs for this team. You know, I want to do that, I want to move this team and make a deep run in the playoffs, you know, we’re capable of it. And I think maybe more goals and assists and another national team call up, that’s on my mind.
Jack McGlynn will certainly be one to watch as he progresses through his career, wherever that takes him. With the World Cup coming in 2026, he could have a big opportunity on the world stage should he make the USMNT roster. He made his mark in Philly, showing off that tremendous left foot and endearing himself to the fans, and like the Aaronsons, Matt Freese, and others, will have plenty of fans cheering him on and following his journey, no matter which jersey he is wearing.
Main article photo credit: Philadelphia Union
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