The pathway to the pros is valued and emphasized throughout the entire Philadelphia Union organization. As a youth development-focused club, the Union wants its identity to be closely tied to local talent grows and thrives internally.
That pathway bore fruit Wednesday night when Bethlehem Steel FC midfielder Zach Zandi stepped onto the field for the Union in their US Open Cup 4th round match against DC United. Zandi is now the first player in history to have ‘completed the cycle,’ that is, playing competitively for all four levels of the Philadelphia Union organization: the Union Academy, Reading United AC, Bethlehem Steel FC, and the Union first team.