Chester—What a season it has been for Frankie Westfield, and it’s not over yet. The 19 year old from Northeast Philly went from an off-roster homegrown to a consistent starter with the Union, and has been steadily making his name known at the international level as part of the United States Men’s U-20 squad. After impressing with his play at the MLS Next Pro level with Union II in 2024, he has thrived at the MLS level in 2025 and was named to the U-20 MNT squad for the U-20 World Cup in Rancagua, Chile.

Not only did he start four out of the five matches, but he had a goal and an assist in the opening match, as well as highly-rated play throughout the tournament. Though the team ultimately lost to Morocco in the Quarterfinals, it was a great showcase for the young defender’s talent and got him a lot of praise. He has since returned and will be available for selection at the match in Charlotte.

“I think every time you get to put on the USA shirt it’s a special moment, and this one is even more special,” Westfield shared after training on Thursday. “Just playing at the World Cup at the youth level and a big tournament. 
I think the experience overall was amazing, with the crowds, the fans, and just the team we had overall was a good group, and I just think that made it even better, so very happy with how it went other than the loss, but I’m very happy with how we played, how I played individually, and it’s a good overall experience.”

With having covered Union II in 2024 and seeing Westfield as vice-captain and a force in their run to the MLS Next Pro Cup, it came as no surprise to the The One Team We Agree On team that he would be successful, but how is Westfield himself processing the notice he is getting, and his name being mentioned at the national team level?

“Yeah, I think just taking it day by day, you know, just not worrying about what’s going on, just worrying about performing, playing well in training, playing well in games, and just taking it day by day,” Westfield related. “And knowing those things could come and just, like I said, performance on and off the field, just doing that day by day, staying humble, staying true to who I want to be, and just enjoying every single day.”

In the very first match he played in during the U-17 World Cup, Westfield scored a goal and had an assist. When asked how it felt to accomplish that, he said, “Yeah, it was a good way to start. The New Caledonia team was new. I just think it was a good way to start for us, to start off on the front foot, scored some good goals, and for me to get a goal and assist, a good way to start the tournament with some good confidence.”

The process to getting to that international stage began with Westfield’s first call up in October 2024 to the U-20 camp in Chile. He described what it was like and his communications with coach Marko Mitrović:

“Yeah, I think my first camp was like, a year ago, like this month, maybe. And that was, like, my first ever national team call up. And after that, I got a few more, but right after the camp in Chile, I missed the camp and coach was just kind of telling me just to keep doing what I’m doing, keep playing well. 
He liked the way I performed in my first camp, and he told me that there’s going to be other opportunities and just be able to take those opportunities. And I think at the next few camps, I was just willing to play the way I like to play and got some call ups from there.”

That perseverance led to playing against European powerhouses like France and Italy. “Yeah, I mean, it was a good experience,” Westfield shared. “Building up to the game and just kind of wanted to get in there and play. I was so anxious, knowing that there could be a big crowd there. 
And I just think seeing the different levels of other leagues and different players, I think it was just kind of humbling in a way, knowing that there’s there’s a lot of different levels out there, and I think just the way we played and the way we approached the game, like we want to just want to go out there and win, and I think that helped us a lot just to come up with the win.”

While Westfield was away in Chile, a lot happened back home. The Union won the Supporters’ Shield in front of the fans at home, a moment that he would have liked to have shared in, but he was proud of the team.

“Yeah, of course I was a little bummed not to be there, but I always knew, like, I was there in spirit kind of just watching on my phone,” he said. “I sent the guys a message before the game and after the game, they kind of all messaged me back, and they missed me and stuff. 
So that kind of kind of showed my value. Ale [Bedoya] sent me a nice message after the game as well, which kind of helped me out and get through the moment of not being there, but I was super proud for the guys, super proud for the team, and just looking for more. I wasn’t nervous at all. I knew my guys would get it done. 
I believe in them from the start of the game.”

Westfield also received individual honors a few days later when he was named to the MLS 22 Under 22 at number 18, one of three Union players on the list.

“Yeah, it was a good feeling,” Westfield said of finding out the news of the honor. “
It was kind of weird. I got a text from one of the players on the team, and that’s how I found out. I didn’t really know before or anything like that. 
But it was a great feeling for sure. It was what I’ve been working for and what I strive to do every single day, is be one of the best young players in the world, maybe, and just seeing things like that kind of makes you feel good, you know, make you feel worth it.”

Now that he is back, Westfield’s focus is on helping the Union in the playoffs as they hope to make a run for the MLS Cup. On what he expects, he said, “Yeah, I think we’re ready to bring the energy in the playoffs. Just a big moment for us, and we want to shine in the brightest spot. So I think we’re ready to put our best foot forward, ready to go out there and give it our all like we’re always ready to do. 
And I think, just be ready for that energy.”

The Union face Charlotte on Saturday, October 18th in Charlotte at 6:00 PM, and can be viewed on MLS Season Pass on AppleTV. Their first round opponent for the playoffs will be determined following Decision Day and the winner of the play-in game that follows.

Kyle Almoney contributed to this article.

Main article photo credit: Philadelphia Union