Philadelphia Union homegrown players Jack De Vries and Cole Turner did not have to wait long to get their first test of top-tier Major League Soccer action in the preseason.
Due to injuries, international absences and players finalizing green cards and visas, the pair of teenagers started the club’s first preseason friendly Wednesday against Atlanta United.
“It was a great experience for some of our younger players. I think they learned a lot from it,” Union head coach Jim Curtin said in call with reporters Thursday.
With Mark McKenzie away with the United States men’s national team and Jack Elliott obtaining his green card, Turner was slotted into a start on the back line next to Aurelien Collin.