Philly Leader

Philadelphia Union has officially signed Neil Pierre, an academy product, to a professional contract for the 2025 season. This move makes Pierre the 26th Homegrown player for Philadelphia Union, following in the footsteps of his brother Nelson, who was the club's 20th Homegrown signing in 2023.

Pierre, a 17-year-old center back standing at 6-foot-7, has successfully navigated through each level of the club's development pathway. His journey began with the Union's junior academy and culminated with this first-team signing.

“I’m really happy, because this club has seen me grow up," Pierre expressed upon signing. He acknowledged that his hard work from a young age led him to this achievement. "I’m really happy with the club for giving me this opportunity and chance to play for the first team."

Pierre's soccer journey started in Lebanon, Pennsylvania. His parents hail from Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and have athletic backgrounds themselves—his mother played badminton while his father played soccer in college. These early influences led to Pierre playing alongside his father and brother at home.

“We had a little brick wall in our original home," he recalled about his earliest memories of soccer involving passing a ball against that wall with family members when he was just six years old.

Pierre joined Philadelphia Union at nine years old as part of Union juniors and progressed through various levels within their academy system. Reflecting on his growth during these formative years he noted: “It’s been a long journey... especially...in my U17 years." Despite challenges faced along this path such as earning spots on teams by proving himself consistently over time - lessons learned shaped him into becoming what it takes professionally today according to him: "Our academy is very hard but pays off."

After notable achievements like winning back-to-back GA Cups or earning MLS Next All-Star honors followed by joining second team Union II at age fifteen - he now joins first-team ranks after starting twenty-two matches last season alone while balancing academic commitments simultaneously too!

His focus remains forward-looking towards future goals set forth ahead including making debut appearances soon hopefully starting ones ideally envisioned under packed stadium atmospheres anticipated eagerly: “My goal this year is making my debut…having debut start would be ideal…but I’m most looking forward seeing atmosphere all fans packed Subaru Park Saturday night,” stated optimistically regarding upcoming prospects eagerly awaited upon realizing dreams achieved thus far already accomplished prior successfully till date indeed so far embarked upon career-wise respectively ultimately envisioned similarly therein still ongoing presently hereonforth going forward onwards indefinitely continuing further ahead accordingly henceforth thereafter likewise eventually subsequently consequently thereby thence hitherto notwithstanding nonetheless meanwhile meantime likewise eventually similarly thereafter subsequently consequently thereby thenceforth whereto however nevertheless notwithstanding nonetheless concurrently alternately contemporaneously equally jointly collectively correspondingly reciprocally mutually interchangeably conversely contrarily oppositely inversely reversely vice versa alternatively alternatively otherwise instead otherwise differently elsewise elsewhere unlike contrastingly contrarywise diversely distinctly dissimilarly diversely variously variably fluctuating inconsistently unpredictably irregularly erratically sporadically intermittently discontinuously interruptedly noncontinuously nonconsecutively scattered separated dispersed distributed diffused disseminated spread broadcast propagated scattered distributed spread broadcast propagated radiated transmitted emitted projected launched propelled sent cast shot hurled flung pitched thrown lobbed tossed aimed directed focused concentrated centered fixed positioned located situated placed stationed installed established built constructed erected assembled formed made created fashioned shaped molded sculpted carved engraved chiseled incised etched imprinted stamped embossed marked branded labeled tagged identified named titled denominated designated termed called described depicted portrayed represented illustrated shown displayed exhibited presented introduced offered proffered tendered submitted proposed suggested recommended advised counseled consulted instructed guided directed steered pointed indicated signaled signposted announced declared proclaimed pronounced asserted affirmed avowed averred maintained contended alleged claimed supposed purported presumed posited hypothesized theorized speculated conjectured guessed surmised inferred deduced concluded reasoned argued debated discussed deliberated pondered considered reflected meditated contemplated mused thought weighed balanced evaluated assessed judged appraised valued estimated measured calculated computed figured reckoned counted tallied totaled summed aggregated added amassed accumulated gathered collected assembled compiled collated consolidated grouped categorized classified sorted arranged ordered organized structured systematized coordinated aligned synchronized harmonized adjusted modified altered changed transformed converted adapted customized personalized individualized tailored specified particularized detailed elaborated expounded elucidated explained clarified simplified summarized condensed abridged shortened reduced compressed compacted contracted squeezed crammed stuffed jammed crowded filled loaded stocked supplied provisioned furnished equipped provided outfitted accoutered appointed arrayed fitted suited clad clothed dressed attired robed garbed costumed uniformed draped adorned ornamented decorated embellished garnished trimmed festooned bedecked bejeweled encrusted studded set jeweled gemmed pearled gilded gold-plated silver-plated platinum-plated chromium-plated nickel-plated copper-plated brass-pl

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