Philly MLS 25
Twenty-five players from greater Philadelphia who have made a mark in MLS 25 years after the first ball was kicked.
Philly MLS 25: From obscurity to U.S. Open Cup glory, Jeff Parke carved out a fantastic career
Downintown native and Drexel University alum made 267 appearances over 11 seasons
Philly MLS 25: Indoor/outdoor star Matt Knowles was first Philadelphia-born player in MLS
While he made a bigger impact in his career indoors, Knowles still left an impression in his injury-shortened time in MLS
Philly MLS 25: Goalkeeper Bill Gaudette saved his biggest performances for Concacaf Champions League
The former MLS GK helped anchor the Puerto Rico Islanders for multiple Champions League victories
Philly MLS 25: Best XI defender at 21, Mark McKenzie’s Philadelphia Union contributions won’t soon be forgotten
The Bear, Del. native is a rising star in the USMNT
Philly MLS 25: Stephen King was the original Medford Messi
A legend in South Jersey, King played five seasons in MLS with the Chicago Fire, Seattle Sounders and DC United
Philly MLS 25: From Lancaster to Germany and back, Russell Canouse blazed unique trail to MLS mainstay
A pro in Germany at 18, Canouse has become a mainstay in DC United’s midfield
Philly MLS 25: Overlooked in draft, Dan Gargan proved he belonged in memorable MLS career
The Olney native and Chestnut Hill Academy graduate played in 185 regular season games, logging over 13,000 minutes, with another 389 playoff minutes
Philly MLS 25: Chester County native Zack Steffen launched international career with Columbus Crew
Now one of the best keepers to emerge from the United States, Steffen got his start on the fields at United Sports in Downingtown
Philly MLS 25: Luzerne County high school star Brian Kelly made headlines in journey to MLS
Kelly was the PARADE Magazine national high school player of the year, a U.S. youth international and a top five pick in the MLS SuperDraft
Philly MLS 25: Auston Trusty’s 2018 season shifted the Union’s development narrative
The Media native became the youngest field player in MLS to play every minute of a 34-game season
Philly MLS 25: Steve Rammel, the first MLS hat trick hero from West Deptford
Steve Rammel scored the league’s first ever hat trick for DC United in May 1996
Philly MLS 25: Discovered in a friendly, Derrick Jones made the most of Union Academy opportunity
The Ghana-born midfielder blazed a trail to MLS that has produced major dividends for the Philadelphia Union
Philly MLS 25: Columbus Crew original and Delaware Olympian Rob Smith
The Wilmington, Del. native made over 100 appearances for the Crew and was part of the U.S. Olympic team in 1996