The Philadelphia Union returned Major League Soccer action following the World Cup with a 3-1 win over rival Red Bull New York.
The match was highlighted by anticipated returns from Kai Wagner and Quinn Sullivan, plus goals from Milan Iloski, Indiana Vassilev, and Neil Pierre who made his Subaru Park debut.
The six-foot-seven, 18-year-old Homegrown centerback made his second-ever appearance for the club in his first match back from a loan in Denmark at Lyngby Boldklub.
After the final whistle, Pierre, who has been part of the club since joining Union juniors at age 11, reflected on the momentous night and what it means to him to suceed on the MLS stage with his hometown club.
Neil Pierre, tonight you scored your first MLS goal in your second-ever appearance for the first team, your Subaru Park debut. Can you describe what this moment was like for you?
Honestly, I have no words. It was a dream, to be honest. In the shower today, I was like, if I come on, I'm gonna score. To be honest, like, everything came true. So, I'm obviously excited. Being here since I was 11, it's it's a dream I always saw. Every time I come into a game, I'm like, I want to be on this field. So to finally do it, and then also score, it's just it's amazing.
What was Ryan Richter's message to you when he sent you on early in the second half?
To just enjoy and be yourself. I think he's had me for a very long time, so he knows what I'm capable of, and I'm honored that he trusted me to put me in the game.
This was your first shift since returning from Lyngby on loan. How impactful was that experience for you, and how did it help you succeed tonight?
I think it helped me succeed because it made me grow not as only as a player but also as a person. I think me going away by myself for the first time since being here, it was a big learning curve, and then also I got to develop my game a lot. I think, especially on the ball, especially with my header, that scored a lot of over there, it translated right back here.
You mentioned earlier that you joined this club at 11 years old. You rose through the ranks in the Pathway to the Pros with the Philadelphia Union Academy, MLS Next Pro. Just how much does it mean to you to make an impact for the first team?
It means everything. Since I was a kid joining the club, that was always my goal, like I said. I think even when joining YSC Academy and seeing all these players on the wall -- Mark McKenzie, Brendan Aaronson, I thought okay, this is something I can do.
Then everyone, the whole organization, trusted me to do that, and then tonight, I showed it to them.
