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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