Chester—It was a day full of news for young stars of the Philadelphia Union and Union II. It is no secret that the Union as an organization boasts one of the best academies in the United States and has a strong pipeline to the pros, brimming with talent.
Homegrown center back Neil Pierre, a native of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, was announced as MLS Next Pro Defender of the Year and one of the season’s “Best XI” for the league. He is the first recipient of the newly-established award, and the third Union II player to receive a year-end award from MLS Next Pro.
In his 20 games that he started for Union II in 2025, Pierre was a crucial piece of the back line that helped the squad have a league-best goal differential (+30) and second fewest goals allowed (34). He contributed four goals himself, including a brace in the most recent match. He also made his MLS debut in the match against Vancouver on September 13.
Pierre found out the news during a team meeting, when Richter played a video of Nelson Pierre, Neil’s brother, informing him of the honor. Richter offered congratulations, but touted how the team all contributed. He said to Pierre, “But really thank your teammates, because this award doesn’t happen for a defender without great goalkeeping, without great pressure in front of you, and even from our strikers, from leading that to make it that there’s less chance against. And of course, though you deserve this for your actual performances this year, for being a great member of the team, for leading us in the position we are.”
Pierre thanked his team and said, “Obviously, without, like Richter said, without you guys, this would not be possible at all, from the pressing to bullying me in the locker room, I think this is a team effort.”
From signing a homegrown contract, to making his MLS debut, to MLS Next Pro Defender of the Year, it has been quite the year for Pierre, and he will be one to watch amongst many young stars in the Union’s pathway.
Four Union standouts named to U-17 FIFA World Cup roster
After attending the U-17 Men’s National Team camp during the past week, four players from Philadelphia were selected by Gonzalo Segares for the United States U-17 men’s squad at the upcoming FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar November 3-27: Jordan Griffin, Jamir Johnson, Kellan LeBlanc, and Cavan Sullivan. The Union has more selections than any other team. Notably, Griffin, Johnson, and LeBlanc were part of the World Cup-qualifying roster back in February.
From the press release by U.S. Soccer:
“We’re excited to bring together this group of young men that have worked so hard to get to this point,” Segares said. “Representing our country at the World Cup is an honor and a privilege and will be an experience they will never forget. We are very thankful to all the clubs who worked with us to allow the players this important opportunity. I know for them this is a dream come true and we head to Qatar with the goal of making our country proud and to compete for our flag.”
The squad will report to a pre-camp in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on October 21. They will play in Group I, and kick off on November 5 against Burkina Faso (10:15 a.m. ET; FS2, Universo, Peacock), Tajikistan on November 8 (9:45 a.m. ET; FS2, Telemundo, Peacock) and finish against Czechia on November 11 (9:45 a.m. ET; FS2, Universo Peacock). This does mean that those players could potentially miss playoff games for both Union II and the Union, however it is a tremendous honor to compete for one’s country on the International stage. All should be available for selection for Union II’s playoff match on Sunday, October 19, though Sullivan could feature with the first team against Charlotte on Saturday night as well.
Main article photo courtesy of Philadelphia Union II
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