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Philadelphia Union

Philadelphia Union Sign Homegrown Defender Matthew Real

January 20, 2018 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Philadelphia Union News Release


CHESTER, Pa. - Philadelphia Union today announced that defender Matthew Real (pronounced: REE-al) has signed with the First Team, becoming a Homegrown Player. An 18-year-old defender from Drexel Hill, PA, Real is the seventh Homegrown Player in Union history.

Real joins the Union after playing for Bethlehem Steel FC last season on a USL contract. He becomes the fourth Union Homegrown Player under contract for the 2018 MLS season, joining Derrick Jones, Auston Trusty and Anthony Fontana.

"We couldn't be prouder to welcome Matt to our First Team as a Homegrown Player," said Union Sporting Director Earnie Stewart. "Matt has truly earned this contract through his outstanding work along our Path to the Pros, first in our Academy and then in the USL as an 18 year old. Leftback is a difficult position, and Matt was exceptional against good competition for Steel FC last year. He brings an attacking-minded outlook to our fullback corps. We look forward to seeing him take the next step here in Philadelphia."

Stewart, Real, and Union Head Coach Jim Curtin are set to be available in-person to members of the media to discuss the signing tomorrow, Friday, January 19, following the 2018 MLS SuperDraft at the Pennsylvania Convention Center (1101 Arch St, Philadelphia PA 19107). Availability is expected to be held at approximately 4:00 p.m. ET, pending the duration of the SuperDraft.

Members of the media interested in attending are encouraged to apply for MLS SuperDraft credentials at the link here, if not completed already, as well as RSVP with Ryan Schwepfinger and Matt Bodiford in order to receive timing and location updates within the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

Real debuted as a professional last season, signing with Bethlehem Steel FC on January 17, 2017. He scored one goal and added one assist in 17 appearances, all starts, seeing the field for 1,607 minutes.

He made his season debut at leftback at Toronto FC II on May 13. He tallied his first professional assist against Tampa Bay on September 27 and scored his first goal in the regular season finale against Saint Louis FC on October 15. He also started in the club's USL Eastern Conference Quarterfinal at Louisville City FC, playing the full 90 minutes. He made a pair of appearances with Steel FC as an amateur in 2016.

Prior to signing with Steel FC, Real first caught the attention of coaches at age nine when he played with the Union Juniors. He joined the Academy ahead of the 2013-14 season, appearing in 26 matches with the U-14s. He rose through the Union's Academy system, appearing in 46 matches across the U-16 and U-18 teams. In his youth career, he also played for FC Delco and Lower Merion Soccer Club.

Internationally, Real recently returned from the inaugural United States Youth National Team Summit Camp in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, where he was with the United States Under-20 National Team. Previously, he was with the U.S. U-18s, including for the 2017 U-18 Lisbon International Tournament, where he started all three matches against Japan, Norway and Portugal.

TRANSACTION : Philadelphia Union sign defender Matt Real as a Homegrown Player on January 18, 2018. Name: Matt Real (pronounced: REE-al). Position: Defender. Height: 5'11". Weight: 162. Born: July 10, 1999 in Drexel Hill, PA. Hometown: Drexel Hill, PA. Citizenship : United States. Acquired: Signed by Philadelphia Union as a Homegrown Player on January 18, 2018. Previous Experience: Bethlehem Steel FC (2017).

ABOUT PHILADELPHIA UNION: Philadelphia was awarded the 16th Major League Soccer franchise on Feb. 28, 2008 and the Union were officially named on May 11, 2009. Owned and operated by Keystone Sports and Entertainment, LLC, the group launched the Philadelphia Union's inaugural season on March 25, 2010 and opened Talen Energy Stadium on June 27. Throughout the club's history, the Union have reached the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final in 2014 and 2015, and have also reached the MLS Cup Playoffs in 2011 and 2016. In 2018, Philadelphia Union will celebrate nine years of top-flight action at Talen Energy Stadium, a soccer-specific stadium that has hosted internationally known clubs Celtic, Chivas de Guadalajara, Everton, Schalke 04, Aston Villa, Pumas UNAM, Stoke City, Crystal Palace, AFC Bournemouth and Swansea City AFC. Philadelphia Union Corporate Headquarters2501 Seaport DriveSuite 500Chester, PA 19013.

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