CHESTER, Pa. — Major League Soccer’s 22 under 22 list recognized three Philadelphia Union players this week, but to the young talents on the club’s roster, it’s just another accolade.
Centerbacks Auston Trusty and Mark McKenzie were ranked 10th and 21st, respectively, while midfielder Derrick Jones came in at No. 22.
“It shows the club is doing something right,” McKenzie said. “They put a lot of resources into us at a young age and it’s paying off. To be recognized like that is an honor and a blessing, but at the same time, it’s just an accolade.”
While it’s seen as just another bit of praise heaped on the Union Homegrown players, the list also provides more motivation for the group.
“It’s definitely very humbling, but in a sense, you don’t really get too high or too low on it,” Trusty said. “If you’re not No. 1, that makes you more motivated. At least in the way I think, if I’m not No. 1, I’m busting my butt to be No. 1 very soon. I’m grateful for it, but I don’t really care. It’s not really affecting the way I think because I’m not getting myself too high or too low.”
If anything, the inclusion of the trio on the 22 under 22 list is a statement for the club that its process of developing young players from its academy is paying off.
“It also shows a lot about the organization playing young guys and believing in them,” Trusty said. “It shows a lot about them trusting me every game to get the job done. It’s very humbling and I’m very thankful for it, but that job’s not done and I have to keep that mindset.”
No matter who recognizes them for what, the Union players are focused on closing out the regular season and clinching a playoff berth with a win over Minnesota United on Saturday at Talen Energy Stadium.
“We just put the Open Cup game behind us and we just focused on the league and trying to get into the playoffs,” Jones said. “Try to get a home game (in the playoffs). We’re just going to keep working hard and get three wins in the next three games.”
Trusty’s been the standout performer of the collection of Union Homegrowns, which is now up to six after Brenden Aaronson was inked for the start of the 2019 season.
Trusty’s played every minute of the Union’s 31 regular-season games, and he’s on track to play a full 3,060 minutes.
“It shows a lot with me growing and that’s what I set out to do every single day,” Trusty said.
“(The playing time is) only going to make us grow better,” Trusty said. “And with us growing, it helps our organization grow as well. With us getting better and better every single day, it brings more attention to the organization. Developing us and having us getting better every day is only going to help everybody from MLS to the academy.”
McKenzie’s featured in 1,359 minutes, while Jones has played 385 minutes in a reserve role behind Haris Medunjanin and Alejandro Bedoya in defensive midfield.
“It’s important in order to grow and in order to progress in this game you have to play,” McKenzie said. “You have to be thrown into the fire and learn different situations and how to react accordingly. I’m blessed and lucky enough to play over 1,000 minutes this season. I’ve learned a lot. I’ve had mistakes and bumps in the road, but it’s a matter of learning from those mistakes and growing.”
With the Union surging toward the postseason with young players featuring in crucial situations, it sets the tone for the future of the club, and with the Homegrowns carrying immense potential, there’s reason to believe the 22 under 22 list will be crowded with more Union players in a year’s time.
“We still have a long ways to go,” McKenzie said. “We’re only 19, 20 and 21 so there’s still a long career ahead of us.”
“Maybe next year all six of us can be on there,” Jones said.