Philadelphia Union added another young player to the roster this week, signing 2024 MLS Superdraft pick Stas Korzeniowski to a first team deal after a successful year with Union II.
Following his signing, Korzeniowski shared what this next step in the Union's pathway means to him and his hopes for what's to come.
How does it feel to sign as a first team player?
It feels great. I'm really honored and very happy to be at this club. Last year was a really important developmental year, and we did a lot of really great things at the second team level. I was always watching what was happening at the first team level, and I'm hoping to integrate swiftly and to be a part of that journey.
As a kid from Princeton, New Jersey, how familiar were you with the Union growing up?
I grew up playing rec soccer in my local town, and then I took the step towards joining an academy which was more serious level of soccer at Players Development Academy. There, I frequently play against the Union, played against some guys that are on the first team right now, which is always a funny thing to think about.
I'd always known that they were a big club, and their academy produced some of the best in the country, and that they would always do really well at the youth level. So, when I would compete against them, it was always something I wanted to do great in. I wanted to perform and and hopefully show myself that maybe at some point I could be a part of it.
You played collegiately at University of Pennsylvania -- what was the transition from college to MLS NEXT Pro soccer with Union II like for you?
I think the coaching staff at Union II was wonderful. They really helped me integrate into the style of play and they taught me the principles of what it means to be a Union player.
What happens at the second team is what happens at the first team. The principles are the same for both teams, and my soccer experience at college was wonderful, but it was also a different style of play and a different environment.Tthe adjustment was necessary, but it wasn't too difficult, and I'm very grateful for the staff in helping me with that.
Do you have a favorite moment from your time with the second team?
I think the win against Huntsville was huge. We had lost to them earlier in the season in penalty kicks, and we knew it was going to be a really tough game, and we just came out and we fought and we pressed tirelessly, and to win a penalty kick and to score it as well was just an all-time feeling. It was really thrilling, but it was a relentless effort from the team, and that's what you live for. Those those wins that you fight hard for, that's what you feel really good about. So that was definitely a high, but there was many, many along the way.
You hit the ground running with the first team this week, and obviously a lot of hard work on the horizon during training camp abroad in Spain and at preseason in Clearwater. What are you most excited about this opportunity?
I'm really excited to be a part of the group and to be more consistently around the group. The culture is phenomenal, as it showed last year. It's a really fun group of guys that are also extremely competitive, and that competitiveness translated into big wins and a Supporter Shield season. I just want to immerse myself as best as I can culturally, but also on the field.
What are your personal goals?
I want to show, the fans, the coaches, the staff, and my teammates, most importantly, that I'm at the level that I can help and contribute in my own way. Personally, I'd love to love to see the field, of course, and I'd love to score some goals and celebrate.
Are there any teammates of yours that have been helping you through the transition and leading the way?
Yeah, everyone is generally really helpful. I found that guys like Indy are very encouraging and positive. Milan as well. He plays up top, he's quite dynamic in his positions, and he has a very good feel for the defensive and offensive requirements of the striker, so he's been coaching me through moments in training. Those are just two names, but generally, everyone's super helpful.
During the Union II season last year, you had quite the contingent of friends supporting you at MLS NEXT Pro games at Subaru Park. How excited are you for them to be able to come support you in that way at a first team game?
Yeah, that was wonderful. I'm super lucky that Penn is so close by and that they were able to come. That's one of the reasons why I play, you know. I love to play in front of fans. I love to play in front of my family and to represent my community. To have those guys there for my first goal, to have them there for the Cincinnati game where I scored two goals, it's just wonderful. It's so great to share the joy of soccer with them. They enjoy it as much as I do. They derive joy from seeing me play. I mean, it's just truly wonderful. I hope I can invite them to more games, and that they can be there to witness some more first moments.Â
Building off of that, how special is it to you to be able to continue your professional career near home and your alma mater?
It's wonderful. It could not have worked out better. I was so fortunate to be drafted by the Union in 2024 and to be able to finish my degree while playing for the Union, and now to be at the first team still in Philadelphia, I love the city. I've grown to love it over my time at Penn, and even more so after I've graduated from Penn and playing for the Union.
It's a great place to be. It's fun, it's vibrant, and the soccer culture here is super strong, and you see that with the fans, and so when I step on the field here, I not only represent Union, but I also represent Penn and what it means to have come from the college pathway. I'm very proud of that, and very thankful for my coaches who, in those earlier parts of my soccer career, helped me get to where I am.
Do you have a message to share with the fans or to those who helped you to get to this point in yourcareer?
To those who have helped me get here, thank you so much. I'm indebted to you all for your support, and I hope to only continue making you more proud and more happy, especially my family, who have invested everything into this for me.
To the fans, I'm super excited to play in front of you. I hope I can bring you some great joy with some great goals, I'm very happy to be at the Union, and I can't wait to represent this badge. Let's get after it, and let's have another great season.
During the team's friendly on Tuesday against Sigma Olomouc, you scored a goal in your first half in the first team mix. How exciting was that for you, and does that build a little bit of extra confidence?
I mean, that's awesome. That's really what you want to do at the end of day as a striker. That's part of our job -- to score goals, but there are a bunch of different elements that we do that help contribute to the team's success.Â
But to be able to score and put us up ahead one zero. I mean, what a joy.
I'm super ecstatic for myself, but more importantly, for the group. I'm ecstatic for the group as much as I am for myself, because to go up one zero in a preseason match against a team that's in mid-season form, that's great. That's really good.
