Philadelphia Union Academy defender commits to Drexel

Philadelphia Union Academy defender Patrick Murphy is staying close to home to play college soccer.

Murphy, of Lansdale, Pa., announced his decision on Twitter earlier this week.

He’s made eight appearances this season for the Union U18 team, scoring a goal in their 2-1 win over Real So Cal at the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Winter Showcase in Florida on Thursday.

Murphy has been part of the Union Academy since the first season in the USSDA in 2013-14. He made 23 appearances that year for the U14 team and 26 appearances in two seasons with the U16 team from 2014-2016.

Drexel struggled this season with a 1-14-2 record after winning only three games in 2015. The Dragons’ last winning season was in 2013 when current Philadelphia Union defender Ken Tribbett was a senior. Midfielder Connor Ryan, who will be a senior in 2017, is the only current Drexel player with ties to the Union. The Horsham native spent time in the Union Academy in its “club and country” days as a member of Continental FC Delco.

Murphy is one of 11 Union Academy members who has made a verbal commitment to a college program for the fall 2017 season, the first to a local program. Frederick Gil committed to South Florida last month.