Last year was a banner year in youth development for the Philadelphia Union, as the long promised impact of the team’s investment in youth development was finally felt with a pair of homegrown signings.
Auston Trusty and Derrick Jones still have a long way to go to be considered success stories, but their signings both ushered in a new era for the Philadelphia Union Academy. The Academy had previously only produced three homegrown players, all of whom spent the bulk of their time at local youth club affiliates.
The founding of USL club Bethlehem Steel FC played a key role in both Trusty and Jones making it to the first team - Trusty played there most of the season as an amateur and Jones was the club’s first signing - and will continue to be the bridge between the academy and the first team for many, but not all players.