For Cristhian Hernandez an impressive youth career fueled his hunger to be the best. That drive also caught the attention of Philadelphia Union to make him the club's third homegrown signing on March 5, 2012.
A graduate from the Union Academy, the 18-year-old had made an impressive youth resume that not many still today have. The previous year he had garnered the US Soccer DA Player of the Year Award for U-18 players with 16 goals in 26 appearances for Player Development Academy along with a national championship down the road with St. Benedict's Prep in Newark, New Jersey.
The national championship was the biggest moment of his senior season however, as Hernandez scored the game-winner against Premier League team Everton. It was a moment that he never forgot and always eyed toward repeating that moment.
Hernandez made his MLS debut two weeks after signing his pro contract, coming on in the 71st minute against the Colorado Rapids and then a month later against San Jose Earthquakes. While most of his time was spent in the USL with Harrisburg City Islanders.
While the Union success didn't come unfortunately, Hernandez is a player that shouldn't be forgotten for Union fans. He served as a key piece that proved that the talent was being development in the Union Academy, something the first two Union homegrowns weren't fully a part of and it set the stage for much bigger things to come in Union history.
