Philadelphia Union and Bethlehem Steel FC have made it clear that the organization plans to focus on youth development for the future. A heavy emphasis has been placed on utilizing Philadelphia Union Academy’s system and getting those younger players experience on the field with seasoned veterans. So In their first eight matches of 2019, Steel FC has featured four players currently in the Union’s academy system, with the likes of Cole Turner and Jack de Vries earning starts for the club and Patrick Bohui becoming the youngest ever player to take the pitch for Steel. Eight-additional Union academy products -- including 2019 signings Ben Ofeimu, Issa Rayyan and Shanyder Borgelin – have also earned minutes.
“It has been a really big adjustment for everyone involved and the youngest guys in our group have been the biggest beneficiaries,” said Steel Head Coach Brendan Burke. “They are developing well collectively, all at different rates, but they are being stretched on a regular basis to try to compete at a higher level every few weeks.”
Many clubs talk the talk when it comes to youth development, but the Union has shown their young talent that there is a real route to the first team, and that it runs through Steel. In terms of the average age of all players on the club’s roster, the Steel are the youngest across all teams, with an average age of 20.578. The Tacoma Defiance (20.913) and Swope Park Rangers (20.885) are the only other clubs in the league to hit an average below 21 years of age.
“A lot of our young guys are gaining valuable experience with the minutes they are accumulating,” noted veteran midfielder and team captain James Chambers We are learning about ourselves as individuals and as a team all the time in a league where there are some really good teams and top players. The aim is that we are competitive every week. We want and have guys that have a winning mentality that can translate straight into our first team roster and can be assets to the coaching staff there come the end of the season.”
Focusing on development is a worthy aim for any club, but fans care about the final product. So far Steel FC has lived up to that aim. In the past three seasons, the club has seen nine players gain experience with the Steel at the USL level and progress on to the Union first team, including Mark McKenzie, Auston Trusty and, recently, Brenden Aaronson.
“The Steel have seen two or three players progressing to the first team each of the last few seasons and our role within the organization is a clear stepping stone into, and a general introduction to, the demands of a professional environment,” Burke stated when asked about the Steel’s purpose in the organization. “It involves identification of outside talent and exposing our own academy products to the next level beyond the Academy in the form of competitive-professional games and training sessions.”
Bethlehem Steel FC next travels to take on Loudoun United FC on Friday, May 3, at 7:30 p.m. ET at Audi Field. The match is set to be broadcast on ESPN+.
Meanwhile, Brenden Aaronson and the rest of the players Steel have elevated to the first team will take on FC Cincinnati on May 1 at Talen Energy Stadium before welcoming New England Revolution to town on Saturday, May 4. Both matches are set to kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET with tickets available here.
