The Philadelphia Union are on a roll, currently boasting a 10-match unbeaten streak coming out of the World Cup break. In that span, nine different players have hit the back of the net for a league-best total of 28 goals scored.
That makes it 46 on the season – 67% of which were scored or assisted by Union Homegrowns.
That percentage has been boosted by a recent surge of success from Philadelphia Union Academy products – in each of the team's last 11 games, the Union have had atleast one teenager tally an assist or score, which is the longest streak in MLS history. The next-closest was only four games.
Development has been a long-standing pillar of the Philadelphia Union’s competitive strategy, and that commitment has been on full display as of late.
The team’s recent turnaround from last in the league to playoff contention in less than two-months time has deservedly earned eyes both around the world and stateside, including those of United States Men's National Team Head Coach Mauricio Pochettino, who selected his roster for the upcoming September/October FIFA Window this week.
US Soccer officially dropped Pochettino's 28-player list on Thursday, and it included three current Philadelphia Union players – 16-year-old Cavan Sullivan, 18-year-old Neil Pierre, and 20-year-old Frankie Westfield.
For the Homegrown trio, there’s been anticipation in the air amidst their team’s recent resurgence on the MLS stage.
They had known they were on the provisional roster, but it wasn’t until a second email populated in their inboxes that they learned they’d each earned the opportunity to represent the Stars and Stripes at the highest level of US Soccer’s system.
For all three, this call-up is their very first for the Senior Team.
On Thursday, after their matchday -2 training session in preparation for this weekend’s Western Conference road trip to Kansas City, the trio shared just how much it means to them.
Sullivan continues to shine
Sullivan has consistently made headlines over the past two years, but more than ever as of late, and for good reason.
The young player that so many expressed high expectations for when he signed the largest MLS Homegrown deal with the Union as a 14-year-old in May 2024, then again when he became the youngest-ever debutant among the top North American professional sports leagues later that year in July, has taken form this year, especially over the past two months.
Since he’s claimed a starting role in the Union’s midfield under the leadership of interim Head Coach Ryan Richter, the 16-year-old has delivered, recording five goals and seven assists since the World Cup break. His season stats are up to six goals and 11 assists, and over the weekend in the team's 5-0 win against San Diego, he added his first Major League Soccer brace to his growing resume in awe-inspiring fashion, scoring one back-heeled, then another between-the-legs.
He now leads the league with 12 goal contributions since MLS play resumed, tied with only one player – Leo Messi, who made 209 appearances for club and country before Sullivan was even born.
For Sullivan, 2026 has brought both success on the pitch and incredible opportunities off of it. From attending World Cup matches in Philly and Seattle and appearing at star-studedd events alongside soccer legends like David Beckham and Aitana Bonmatí, to sporting pairs of custom and exclusive cleats with adidas, and getting his first-ever EA rating, it’s been a year to remember, to say the least, and it’s only September.
But for Sullivan, what has ‘made his year’ is his first senior team call-up.
“It's definitely exciting to finally get the invite. I don't think it was necessarily expected. In all honesty, I never really like to think about what may come,” Sullivan said on Thursday.
“Obviously, it's something every kid works towards and dreams of, but to finally get it…truly it made my year, in all honesty.”
Neil Pierre
Similarly to Sullivan, the latter portion of the 2026 season has been Pierre’s MLS breakout. The towering 6-foot-6 -and-a-half (without shoes on) centerback has made his presence known on both sides of the field.
He has four goals and an assist since July 22nd, when he came in off the bench for his second MLS appearance, his first at Subaru Park. By the end of that shift, he’d scored his first MLS goal, and earned a starting role in each of his team’s matches thereafter.
Since he’s been in Richter’s XI, the team has posted four shutouts.
Pierre joins a list of Philadelphia Union Academy-produced defenders who have made the Senior Team for the United States, including Mark McKenzie and Auston Trusty, who contribute to the team's FIFA World Cup campaign to the Round of 16 this summer.
“I'll say it was a great feeling seeing those guys play in the World Cup and be a part of that, with the whole nation supporting them. I think that was obviously us seeing, ‘all right, we can do this',” Pierre said.
“We want to be a part of that next World Cup cycle, and to start off like this is, it’s special.”
Pierre watched what could be his future this summer, but the goal to get there has been one he’s harboured for far longer.
Pierre’s been a longtime standout at the US Youth National Team level, most recently making 17 appearances with the U-17s and nine with the U-19s. Throughout it all, this moment has been one he’s dreamt of.
“We've been talking about this since we were what – 14-15? Starting to go to national team camps. How would it feel for all of us to go at the same time? And just individually going to the Mens’? That's what you dream for and try to get to,” Pierre said.
“To do it is a great accomplishment, and then also to do it with your brothers is just another level."
Frankie Westfield
In the summer of 2024, Frankie Westfield was midway through an MLS NEXT Pro season with Union II after graduating from YSC Academy. The Northeast Philly native was days away from leaving town to play college soccer at Penn State when he was given the opportunity to sign a second team contract with Union II.
In the two years following his putting pen to paper, Westfield led that Union II team to MLS NEXT Pro Cup, signed a Homegrown deal the following February, then became a first-team starter by the Union’s MLS season opener. He went on to contribute one goal and five assists over 1724 minutes in the Union’s Supporters’ Shield-winning campaign – an outstanding first season on the first-team stage that earned him MLS 22 under 22 honors. This year, he’s already surpassed his goal contribution total from 2025, up to eight assists as the starting right back on the team’s backline.
Now, he’s headed to USMNT camp.
“I’m very glad to see the hard work's paying off, but I also don't want to stop here. Always, the final goal is to make the roster for your national team, but I know I don't want to stop. I want to keep going, keep trying for more. Stay there and produce there,” Westfield said.
He’ll go with Pierre and Sullivan, two players also from the Philadelphia area – Lebanon and Bridesburg, respectively.
“Once I received that second email of the main roster, the final roster, it was nothing but happiness for me and happiness for those guys as well. So, I'm glad to go celebrate with them and enjoy this time with them. But also just go out there and do everything I can,” Westfield said.
The Union have the most call-ups of any team, but the trio won’t be the only players with Philly ties at camp. A pair of former Homegrowns with World Cup caps in centerback Trusty and goalkeeper Matt Freese were also called up to join the Stars and Stripes.
Sullivan, Pierre, and Westfield will depart on Sunday following the team’s return from their Western Conference match against Sporting Kansas City. Then, they’ll integrate into the USMNT’s Senior Team for the very first time, as part of the squad set to take Peru, Chile, Mexico, and Canada in friendlies.
