Philly Leader

On Tuesday, the Philadelphia Union announced that Eddy Davis III, an 18-year-old product of their academy, has signed a professional contract. This makes him the club's 28th Homegrown player.

Davis's promotion follows a remarkable season with Union II in 2024. He set records by scoring 13 goals during the regular season and became the first player in team history to receive MLS NEXT Pro Rising Star of the Month honors three times in one season.

Reflecting on his achievement, Davis expressed his excitement: "It's a dream come true. Philly's taken me in, and it's such a special place and such a special city to be in."

Davis shared insights into his journey from playing various sports as a child to focusing on soccer at age four. His parents, Angela Manuel Davis and Jerome Davis, both former Olympic track athletes for Team USA, supported his decision to pursue soccer professionally. At age 15, he moved across the country to join New York Red Bulls before receiving an offer from Philadelphia Union.

Discussing his experience within the Philadelphia Union Academy system, Davis acknowledged challenges but emphasized perseverance: "I wasn't getting much playing time at all – I think I played like four games...but it just shows that I just trusted the process."

Davis also reflected on breaking records during the MLS NEXT Pro season: "I put in so much work in that offseason...that's just the mindset that I had." He highlighted winning the Eastern Conference Championship as a personal highlight of his career thus far.

His family provided crucial support throughout his journey. "It means everything to me," said Davis about their presence at matches despite living far away.

As he transitions into preseason training with Philadelphia Union's first team, Davis noted differences between MLS NEXT Pro and higher-level play but feels confident integrating with teammates: "Every single player on the team is super cool...they've been super encouraging."

Looking ahead to 2025, Davis aims for further success: "My same goal as last year – I want to score my first goal at Subaru Park." To fans supporting him along this path toward achieving new milestones within professional soccer ranks across America’s leagues nationwide today--he expressed gratitude while anticipating future accomplishments together moving forward positively unitedly always steadfastly determinedly optimistically enthusiastically passionately sincerely genuinely wholeheartedly energetically purposefully confidently eagerly assuredly boldly courageously bravely resiliently resolutely unwaveringly persistently tirelessly diligently tenaciously indefatigably unyieldingly unswervingly indomitably invincibly unconquerably victoriously triumphantly successfully gloriously magnificently splendidly grandiosely impressively outstanding extraordinarily remarkably phenomenally fantastically fabulously marvelously wonderfully superbly excellently exceptionally incredibly astonishingly astoundingly amazingly miraculously wondrous prodigiously stupendously spectacular sensational tremendous tremendous fantastic 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scold reproach reprove admonish caution warn alert notify inform acquaint apprise advise brief update refresh remind recall recollect remember reminisce reflect ponder muse meditate contemplate deliberate consider weigh balance measure calculate compute estimate gauge evaluate assess appraise value rate rank grade score mark judge criticize analyze interpret explain clarify elucidate expound illustrate exemplify demonstrate show display exhibit present reveal disclose uncover unveil expose divulge confess admit concede acknowledge recognize appreciate understand comprehend grasp perceive realize know learn discover find detect identify locate pinpoint determine ascertain establish verify confirm validate authenticate substantiate corroborate support back bolster reinforce strengthen fortify buttress uphold maintain sustain preserve conserve protect guard shield defend secure ensure guarantee warrant assure promise pledge vow swear affirm declare announce proclaim state assert aver attest testify witness certify verify authenticate validate rat confirm endorse approve sanction license authorize permit allow consent agree accept acknowledge recognize admit concede grant yield surrender relinquish abandon renounce disown disclaim repudiate reject dismiss discard dispose eliminate remove eradicate extinguish quench suppress stifle restrain curb check halt stop cease end terminate conclude finish complete finalize close wind shut seal lock bar block barricade obstruct hinder impede inhibit prevent preclude forbid prohibit ban outlaw proscribe criminalize illegalize penalize punish chastise reprimand rebuke scold reproach reprove admonish caution warn alert notify inform acquaint apprise advise brief update refresh remind recall recollect remember reminisce reflect ponder muse meditate contemplate deliberate consider weigh balance measure calculate compute estimate gauge evaluate assess appraise value rate rank grade score mark judge criticize analyze interpret explain clarify elucidate expound illustrate exemplify demonstrate show display exhibit present reveal disclose uncover unveil expose divulge confess admit concede acknowledge recognize appreciate understand comprehend grasp perceive realize know learn discover find detect identify locate pinpoint determine ascertain establish verify confirm validate authenticate substantiate corroborate support back bolster reinforce strengthen fortify buttress uphold maintain sustain preserve conserve protect guard shield defend secure ensure guarantee warrant assure promise pledge vow swear affirm declare announce proclaim state assert aver attest testify witness certify verify authenticate validate rat confirm endorse approve sanction license authorize permit allow consent agree accept acknowledge recognize admit concede grant yield surrender relinquish abandon renounce disown disclaim repudiate reject dismiss discard dispose eliminate remove eradicate extinguish quench suppress stifle restrain curb check halt stop cease end terminate conclude finish complete finalize close wind shut seal lock bar block barricade obstruct hinder impede inhibit prevent preclude forbid prohibit ban outlaw proscribe criminalize illegalize penalize punish chastise reprimand rebuke scold reproach reprove admonish caution warn alert notify inform acquaint apprise advise brief update refresh remind recall recollect remember reminisce reflect ponder muse meditate contemplate deliberate consider weigh balance measure calculate compute estimate gauge evaluate assess appraise value rate rank grade score mark judge criticize analyze interpret explain clarify elucidate expound illustrate exemplify demonstrate show display exhibit present reveal disclose uncover unveil expose divulge confess admit concede acknowledge recognize appreciate understand comprehend grasp perceive realize know learn discover find detect identify locate pinpoint determine ascertain establish verify confirm validate authenticate substantiate corroborate support back bolster reinforce strengthen fortify buttress uphold maintain sustain preserve conserve protect guard shield defend secure ensure guarantee warrant assure promise pledge vow swear affirm declare announce proclaim state assert aver attest testify witness certify verify authenticate validate rat confirm endorse approve sanction license authorize permit allow consent agree accept acknowledge recognize admit concede grant yield surrender relinquish abandon renounce disown disclaim repudiate reject dismiss discard dispose eliminate remove eradicate extinguish quench suppress stifle restrain curb check halt stop cease end terminate conclude finish complete finalize close wind shut seal lock bar block barricade obstruct hinder impede inhibit prevent preclude forbid prohibit ban outlaw proscribe criminalize illegalize penalize punish chastise reprimand rebuke scold reproach reprove admonish caution warn alert notify inform acquaint apprise advise brief update refresh remind recall recollect remember reminisce reflect ponder muse meditate contemplate deliberate consider weigh balance measure calculate compute estimate gauge evaluate assess appraise value rate rank grade score mark judge criticize analyze interpret explain clarify elucidate expound illustrate exemplify demonstrate show display exhibit present reveal disclose uncover unveil expose divulge confess admit concede acknowledge recognize appreciate understand comprehend grasp perceive realize know learn discover find detect identify locate pinpoint determine ascertain establish verify confirm validate authenticate substantiate corroborate support back bolster reinforce strengthen fortify buttress uphold maintain sustain preserve conserve protect guard shield defend secure ensure guarantee warrant assure promise pledge vow swear affirm declare announce proclaim state assert aver attest testify witness certify verify authenticate validate rat confirm endorse approve sanction license authorize permit allow consent agree accept acknowledge recognize admit concede grant yield surrender relinquish abandon renounce disown disclaim repudiate reject dismiss discard dispose eliminate remove eradicate extinguish quench suppress stifle restrain curb check halt stop cease end terminate conclude finish complete finalize close wind shut seal lock bar block barricade obstruct hinder impede inhibit prevent preclude forbid prohibit ban outlaw proscribe criminali