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Season in Review: Matt Real developing at key position

2018 MLS

Games: 3

Starts: 3

Mins: 236

Games: 21

Starts: 21

Mins: 1,836

Goals: 1

Key Passes: 16

The story of Matt Real's 2018 season must be viewed in the proper context: Philadelphia Union were committed to Auston Trusty in the center and, over time, they were able to integrate Mark McKenzie as a calm, ball-moving presence alongside Trusty, creating a center back pairing so young as to be almost unimaginable at the MLS level. Trusty and McKenzie went through their ups and downs during the season, and when Real was given an opportunity in the back line early in the season, he flashed a similar mix of culture and naivete.