To face out within the Philadelphia Union academy, you must be fairly particular.
One of many rising hotbeds of American soccer, the Union have been liable for the event of Leeds United Star Brenden Aaronson and Genk center-back Mark McKenzie in the previous couple of years alone. Additional again, Arsenal defender Auston Trusty, now on mortgage at Birmingham Metropolis, additionally minimize his enamel at Subaru Park.
The newest participant trying to joint that listing of extremely gifted alumni is Jack McGlynn.
Born in Center Village, New York, in July 2003, McGlynn began out with native facet BW Gottschee earlier than being picked up by the Union academy in 2019. Since then, McGlynn’s profession has gathered tempo at a exceptional price.
5 targets and three assists in 14 USL appearances with Philadelphia Union II shortly earned him a homegrown cope with the senior staff and though he has featured in MLS NEXT Professional since then, McGlynn’s soccer has primarily been performed underneath Jim Curtin, who has been left in awe on the teenager’s expertise.
“I’ve talked about how particular his left foot is. You’ll be able to’t educate that. It’s God-given and it’s a expertise that not many individuals possess,” Curtin mentioned following McGlynn’s first senior purpose in July – a shocking free-kick in a 6-0 thrashing of the Houston Dynamo.
That purpose got here on the finish of a run of three begins for McGlynn, who went on to increase his season whole to 23 appearances through the common season, 9 of which got here from the beginning, whereas offering three assists to go along with his purpose.
The shadow of Aaronson’s success within the Premier League or McKenzie making waves for the facet at the moment topping the Belgian prime flight would not appear to be weighing too closely on McGlynn. In reality, it is one thing of an inspiration.
“I am good pals with each of them they usually’re like function fashions to us,” McGlynn mentioned of Aaronson and McKenzie throughout an unique interview with 90min again in August. “They have been on the identical path as us they usually present that something’s actually attainable once you carry out right here. So it is simply that they are good function fashions to look as much as as a result of we’re good pals. We all know them, so it is attainable for us.”
Nonetheless, for McGlynn to emulate the Union’s earlier graduates, he should proceed to develop. After serving to Philadelphia end prime of the Japanese Convention, his subsequent problem comes towards an in-form FC Cincinnati facet within the MLS Cup Playoffs.
The stress of the Playoffs is exclusive in itself and may weigh closely on probably the most skilled gamers, not to mention a teenager firstly of his profession.
However McGlynn is fabricated from stern stuff and confidence flows by his veins. The newest star of the Philadelphia Union has risen and is prepared for the MLS Cup Playoffs.
