Another Independence Blue Cross Achievement Unlock took place on Sunday evening as the Philadelphia Union battled the Columbus Crew.
Just past the hour mark with the Boys in Blue trailing by a goal, Head Coach Bradley Carnell sent on David Vazquez for his MLS debut in place of midfielder Indiana Vassilev.
Vazquez, 19, was signed to a homegrown contract in 2024 after joining the Union Academy in 2022. In 2024 became Union II’s sixth academy player to sign an MLS NEXT Pro professional contract. In 2023, Vazquez started 18 of his 22 appearances in league play for Union II, scoring five goals and registering two assists. On April 16, 2023, Vazquez earned MLS NEXT Pro Rising Star of the Matchday honors after scoring the game winning goal against Chicago Fire FC II. The goal marked his MLS NEXT Pro goal and MLS NEXT Pro’s 1,000th regular season goal in league history.
