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Neil Pierre

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Neil Pierre
Personal information
Date of birth (2007-10-19) October 19, 2007 (age 18)
Place of birth Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Height 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Position Center-back[1]
Team information
Current team
 Philadelphia Union
Number 44
Youth career
Philadelphia Union
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2023–2025 Philadelphia Union II 56 (6)
2025– Philadelphia Union 12 (4)
2026 → Lyngby (loan) 10 (4)
International career‡
2022 United States U15 2 (0)
2022 United States U16 6 (0)
2024–2025 United States U18 3 (0)
2024– United States U19 8 (0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 17 September 2026
‡ National team caps and goals as of 16:48, 24 January 2026 (UTC)

Neil Pierre (born October 19, 2007) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a center-back for Major League Soccer club Philadelphia Union. A physically imposing and athletic, ball-playing defender, he has been praised for combining exceptional size with speed, defensive strength, passing ability and has been described as perhaps the best center-back prospect in Union history.[2][3]

Early life

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Pierre was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to Haitian parents,[4] and raised in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, before moving to Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, as his brother had joined the Philadelphia Union Academy.[5] He later joined the Philadelphia Union Academy himself. In June 2023, he was named to the MLS Next All-Star Game.[6]

Club career

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In July 2023, Pierre signed a professional contract with Philadelphia Union II in MLS Next Pro.[7] He made his debut on July 23, 2023, in a 6–2 victory over Columbus Crew 2.[8] On August 19, 2023, he scored his first goal in a loss against Huntsville City FC.[9] In February 2025, Pierre signed a homegrown player contract with the Philadelphia Union first team, through the 2028 season, with an option for 2029, as an off-roster player for the 2025 season.[10][11] He signed a short-term loan with the first team in February 2025.[12] He signed additional short-term loans throughout the season.[13][14][15][16] He made his MLS debut on September 13, 2025 against the Vancouver Whitecaps FC.[17] For the 2025 season, he was named the MLS Next Pro Defender of the Year.[18]

In January 2026, Pierre joined Danish 1st Division club Lyngby on a 6-months loan deal.[19]

International career

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Pierre first represented the United States U15 at international level.[20] In 2023, Pierre was called up to the United States U16 team for the International Dream Cup, where he served as captain in a match against the Netherlands.[21] In March 2024, he was called up to the United States U19 team, ahead of a pair of friendlies.[21] In September 2024, he was called up to the United States U18, ahead of a friendly tournament in Japan, where he appeared in all three matches.[22][23]

Personal life

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He is the brother of fellow soccer player Nelson Pierre.[24]


Honors

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Philadelphia Union

Lyngby

References

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  1. ↑ Profile at Worldfootball, worldfootball.net
  2. ↑ "Philadelphia Union Sign Homegrown Defender Neil Pierre". Philadelphia Union. February 4, 2025. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  3. ↑ Tannenwald, Jonathan (February 4, 2025). "Neil Pierre, perhaps the best centerback prospect in Union history, signs a first-team deal". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  4. ↑ Hurley, Sage (February 4, 2025). "The Pathway: Academy standout Neil Pierre signs with the first team". Philadelphia Union.
  5. ↑ Tannenwald, Jonathan (February 4, 2025). "Neil Pierre, perhaps the best centerback prospect in Union history, signs a first-team deal". The Philadelphia Inquirer.
  6. ↑ "Union Academy's Neil Pierre selected for 2023 MLS NEXT All-Star Game Presented by Allstate". Philadelphia Union. June 29, 2023.
  7. ↑ "Philadelphia Union II Add Defender Neil Pierre to MLS NEXT Pro Roster". Philadelphia Union. July 20, 2023.
  8. ↑ Lewis, Todd (February 5, 2025). "Philadelphia Union Secure Young Talent: Neil Pierre Signs Homegrown Deal Through 2028". The Free Kick.
  9. ↑ "Recap: Union II falls to Huntsville City FC on the road". Philadelphia Union. August 19, 2023.
  10. ↑ Ralph, Matthew (February 4, 2025). "17-year-old center back Neil Pierre signed to first team deal". Philadelphia Soccer Now.
  11. ↑ Hurley, Sage (February 4, 2025). "The Pathway: Academy standout Neil Pierre signs with the first team". Philadelphia Union.
  12. ↑ "Philadelphia Union Add Frankie Westfield and Neil Pierre To Roster Ahead Of Match Against Orlando City SC". Philadelphia Union. February 22, 2025.
  13. ↑ "Philadelphia Union Add Neil Pierre To Roster Ahead Of Match Against New York City FC". Philadelphia Union. April 12, 2025.
  14. ↑ "Philadelphia Union Add Neil Pierre To Roster Ahead Of Match Against Atlanta United". Philadelphia Union. April 19, 2025.
  15. ↑ "Philadelphia Union Add Neil Pierre To Roster Ahead Of Match Against D.C. United". Philadelphia Union. April 26, 2025.
  16. ↑ "Philadelphia Union Add Homegrown Trio To Roster Ahead Of Match Against Columbus Crew". Philadelphia Union. June 29, 2025.
  17. ↑ "Neil Pierre Named 2025 MLS NEXT Pro Defender Of The Year". Philadelphia Union. October 16, 2025.
  18. ↑ Almoney, Jillian (October 17, 2025). "Neil Pierre Named Defender of the Year; Four Named to U-17 World Cup Squad". The One Team We Agree On.
  19. ↑ Pierre er på plads for Lyngby, lyngby-boldklub.dk, 22 January 2026
  20. ↑ Cosenza, Gina (February 10, 2025). "Philadelphia Union Sign 17-Year-Old Neil Pierre to Four-Year Contract". WPEN (FM).
  21. 1 2 "Union II's David Vazquez and Neil Pierre Earn First U-19 USMNT Call Up". Philadelphia Union. March 15, 2024.
  22. ↑ "Union II Defender Neil Pierre named to U.S. U-18 Men's Youth National Team". Philadelphia Union. September 6, 2024.
  23. ↑ "Union II Defender Neil Pierre called in for US U-19 Men's Youth National Team". Philadelphia Union. November 8, 2024.
  24. ↑ DeGeorge, Matthew (November 1, 2024). "With ascension of Neil Pierre, Union could continue trend of talented brothers". Delaware County Daily Times.
  25. ↑ "Philadelphia Union win 2025 Supporters' Shield". MLS Soccer. 4 October 2025. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
  26. ↑ "Casper 'Dani' Winther er Årets Profil i 1. division 2025/2026" [Casper ‘Dani’ Winther is the Player of the Year in the First Division for the 2025/2026 season]. SPFO — Spillerforeningen (in Danish). 25 May 2026. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
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