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Christian Pulisic Joins Former Eastern Pennsylvania Players on October USMNT Camp Roster 

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U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Mauricio Pochettino has named 26 players to the roster for October training camp as the United States prepares for upcoming friendlies against Ecuador and Australia.  

Christian Pulisic, a Hershey native and product of PA Classics, headlines the group. He’s joined by Wayne-born goalkeeper Matt Freese, as well as Brenden Aaronson and Mark McKenzie, both products of the Philadelphia Union Academy.  

The October matches will see the USMNT face Ecuador at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas on October 10 before meeting Australia at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado on October 14. Both opponents have already qualified for next summer’s FIFA World Cup, providing an important test for the United States as preparations continue.  

Fans in our region will also have the chance to see the team in action this fall, when the USMNT plays New Zealand at Subaru Park on November 15 at 5 P.M. Tickets are available now.  

College Games of the Week: September 15-21

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College soccer is in full swing across Pennsylvania, with Division I, II, and III programs set for a bust week of action. From West Chester hosting Holy Family to Senior Day celebrations at Saint Joseph’s, Villanova, and Drexel later in the week, it’s a packed schedule across Eastern Pennsylvania.  

Whether you’re catching Temple under the lights on Tuesday, cheering on Kutztown’s Youth Soccer Night Wednesday, or tuning in for Ivy League rivalries on Friday, there’s plenty of games this week.  

Stay tuned for next week when we highlight the High School Games of the Week! 

  • D2: West Chester Men’s Soccer vs. Holy Family 
    • Monday, November 3 | 2 P.M. | John A. Rockwell Field 
  • D3: Delaware Valley Men’s Soccer vs. University of Valley Forge  
    • Monday, September 15 | 4 P.M. | Robert A. Lipinski Field at James Work Memorial Stadium   
  • D3: Eastern Men’s Soccer vs. Ursinus 
    • Tuesday, September 16 | 3:30 P.M. | Olson Field 
  • D1: Temple Men’s Soccer vs. Lafayette  
    • Tuesday, September 16 | 7 P.M. | Temple Sports Complex  
  • D1: Drexel Men’s Soccer vs. UPenn 
    • Tuesday, September 16 | 7 P.M. | Vidas Field 
  • D3: Widener Men’s Soccer vs. Swarthmore 
    • Tuesday, September 16 | 7 P.M. | Elizabeth J. Hirschmann Field at Leslie C. Quick Jr. Stadium 
  • D2: Thomas Jefferson Men’s Soccer vs. Bloomsburg  
    • Wednesday, September 17 | 4 P.M. | Ravenhill Field 
  • D2: Shippensburg University Women’s Soccer vs. Bloomsburg 
    • Wednesday, September 17 | 5:30 P.M. | David See Field 
  • D3: Kutztown Women’s Soccer vs. Shepherd – Youth Soccer Night 
    • Wednesday, September 17 | 7 P.M. | Keystone Field 
  • D3: University of Scranton Men’s Soccer vs. Penn State Abington 
    • Wednesday, September 17 | 7 P.M. | Weiss Field 
  • D1: University of Pennsylvania Women’s Soccer vs. Princeton 
    • Friday, September 19 | 6 P.M. | Rhodes Field 
  • D3: Franklin & Marshall Women’s Soccer vs. Muhlenberg 
    • Saturday, September 20 | 12 P.M. | Tylus Field (Kenny Gramas ‘88 Pavilion)  
  •  D1: Saint Joseph’s Women’s Soccer vs. Rhode Island – Senior Day 
    • Saturday, September 20 | 1 P.M.  | Sean Sweeney Field 
  • D3: Millersville Men’s Soccer vs. Lock Haven 
    • Saturday, September 20 | 2 P.M. | Pucillo Field   
  • D1: Villanova Women’s Soccer vs. Seton Hall – Senior Day 
    • Saturday, September 20 | 4 P.M.  | Higgins Soccer Complex   
  • D2: Bloomsburg University Women’s Soccer vs. West Chester 
    • Saturday, September 20 | 4 P.M.  | Steph Pettit Stadium 
  • D3: Penn State Harrisburg Men’s Soccer vs. Messiah 
    • Saturday, September 20 | 7 P.M. | Multipurpose Turf Field 
  • D1: Drexel Women’s Soccer vs. Hampton – Senior Day 
    • Sunday, September 21 | 1 P.M. | Vidas Field  

Christian Pulisic Wins Best Soccer Player at 2025 ESPY Awards, Alex Morgan Honored with Icon Award 

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U.S. Soccer was well represented at the 2025 ESPY Awards, with Christian Pulisic and Alex Morgan taking home awards.

Pulisic, a native of Hershey, Pennsylvania and a former Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer player, was named Best Soccer Player after a standout year with AC Milan and the U.S. Men’s National Team.  

Former U.S. Women’s National Team star Alex Morgan received the Icon Award, recognizing her legendary career and impact on and off the field. Morgan was honored alongside WNBA great Diana Taurasi.  

Pulisic’s win is a proud moment for Eastern Pennsylvania, where his soccer journey began.

SEPA Soccer Hall of Fame Celebrates 2025 Inductees and Award Winners 

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This past Saturday, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Soccer Hall of Fame held its annual banquet, honoring the 2025 Hall of Fame inductees and recognizing standout contributors from across the region’s soccer community. The event brought together players, coaches, referees, and leaders to celebrate excellence in the game.

The 2025 Hall of Fame class includes 11 distinguished individuals from various levels and roles within soccer:

  • Bridgette Alexander
  • Bobby Andrews
  • Johnson Bowie
  • Amber Brooks
  • Tom Carlin
  • Ed Decker
  • Dennis Drumm
  • John Lavelle
  • Tom McDonald
  • Kevin McNally
  • Jim Wilkinson

In addition to the inductees, several annual awards were presented to recognize standout performances and contributions across all areas of the game:

2025 Award Winners

  • Tom Paton Award – Female Player of the Year: Kylie Maxwell, Ukrainian Nationals
  • Bill Peterman Award – Male Player of the Year: Finn Murray, LaSalle HS
  • Charlotte Moran Award – Coach of the Year (Female Team): Brigid Sullivan Kelley
  • John (Jukey) Nanoski Award – Coach of the Year (Male Team): Joe Caruolo
  • Ned Potts Award – Club of the Year: Ukrainian Nationals
  • Harry Rodgers Award – Referee of the Year: Tim Shaw and Shawn Schneider
  • Nick Cinquanto Award – Young Referee of the Year: Drew Boligitz
  • Paul Stilley/Little Club Administrator of the Year: Michelle Ganley, Bridesburg Cougars
  • Chick Fallon Award – Service to Soccer: Tom Keenan

This year’s banquet also featured a special tribute to referees. All active and retired referees in attendance were recognized for their dedication to the game.

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer congratulates all of this year’s honorees and thanks them for their continued contributions to the sport and our soccer community.

Four Former Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Members Set to Represent U.S. in Concacaf Nations League

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Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer is proud to celebrate the former members selected for the U.S. Men’s National Team ahead of the 2025 Concacaf Nations League Finals. Head coach Mauricio Pochettino has named a 23-player roster, with the U.S. set to take on Panama in the semifinal on March 20 at 7 p.m. ET at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. The match will air live on Paramount and Univision.

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer will be well represented on the international stage, as Christian Pulisic, Mark McKenzie, Zack Steffen, and Auston Trusty all earned a spot on the squad. Developing their skills at PA Classics, Philadelphia Union Academy, FC DELCO, and Nether United, these players continue Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer’s tradition of producing top-level talent.

Pulisic, a Hershey native, rose through PA Classics before launching a professional career that has made him one of the USMNT’s most dynamic attackers. Now with 76 caps and 32 goals, he remains a key leader for the team.

McKenzie, a Philadelphia Union Academy product, has proven himself as a strong defensive presence. The Bear, Del. native has earned 17 caps, solidifying his role in the backline.

Steffen, from Coatesville, developed at West Chester United and FC DELCO before becoming one of the country’s top goalkeepers. With 30 caps, he brings experience and composure in goal.

Trusty, a Media native, got his start with Nether United and the Eastern Pennsylvania Olympic Development Program before advancing to the Philadelphia Union Academy. He now has 4 caps and continues to showcase his defensive versatility.

The USMNT will begin camp on March 16, setting their sights on a fourth consecutive Nations League title. Best of luck to Christian, Mark, Zack, Auston, and the entire U.S. team!

DETAILED ROSTER BY POSITION (Club/Country; Caps/Goals)

GOALKEEPERS (3): Patrick Schulte (Columbus Crew; 3/0), Zack Steffen (Colorado Rapids; 30/0), Matt Turner (Crystal Palace/ENG; 49/0)

DEFENDERS (8): Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic/SCO; 18/0), Marlon Fossey (Standard Liege/BEL; 1/0), Mark McKenzie (Toulouse/FRA; 17/0), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC; 67/1), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace/ENG; 23/1), Antonee Robinson (Fulham/ENG; 50/4), Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach/GER; 19/0), Auston Trusty (Celtic/SCO; 4/0)

MIDFIELDERS (6): Tyler Adams (Bournemouth/ENG; 42/2), Johnny Cardoso (Real Betis/ESP; 18/0), Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake; 3/0), Weston McKennie (Juventus/ITA; 58/11), Gio Reyna (Borussia Dortmund/GER; 31/8), Tanner Tessmann (Olympique Lyon/FRA; 6/0)

FORWARDS (6): Patrick Agyemang (Charlotte FC; 2/2), Yunus Musah (AC Milan/ITA; 45/1), Christian Pulisic (AC Milan/ITA; 76/32), Josh Sargent (Norwich City/ENG; 27/5), Timothy Weah (Juventus/ITA; 42/7), Brian White (Vancouver Whitecaps/CAN; 3/1)

Former ODP Player Ramzi Qawasmy Signs with Philadelphia Union II

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Philadelphia Union II announced the signing of defender Ramzi Qawasmy to an MLS NEXT Pro contract ahead of the 2025 season. Qawasmy, a former standout player in the Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program (ODP), returns to the Union system where his professional journey began. He will join Union II’s active roster immediately, adding valuable experience and leadership to the back line.

Qawasmy’s professional career has seen him play for multiple clubs, including Atlanta United 2, where he made 18 appearances in the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro season. Prior to that, he played for USL Championship side Louisville City FC in 2023, and USL League Two clubs West Chester United and Reading United in 2022 and 2021, respectively.

His soccer journey began at Ukrainian Nationals, coached by our Technical Director, Gary Stephenson, before he joined the Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer ODP program, where he honed his skills and grew into a standout player. In 2017, he moved to the Union Academy and later played college soccer at Providence College, starting 88 matches and contributing seven goals from his position as a defender.

Qawasmy’s return to the Union system underscores the success of Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer’s development programs in shaping talented players who continue to thrive in professional soccer.

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer wishes Ramzi the best of luck as he embarks on this exciting new chapter with Philadelphia Union II. We are proud to have played a part in his journey and look forward to watching his continued success both on and off the field.