Notre Dame star Jon Gallagher training with Philadelphia Union

Notre Dame star forward Jon Gallagher is back in the area this week, training with the Philadelphia Union after leading his Irish to a 2-1 win over Bethlehem Steel FC in a friendly at YSC Sports back in March.

The Dundalk, Ireland native, who played in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy with Beachside SC, has 26 goals and 13 assists over three seasons with the Irish and has shown a flair for the dramatic with five of his team-leading 14 goals from last year standing up as game-winners.

He delivered a free kick goal and a late winner off the counter to lead the Irish in their friendly against Steel FC in March. He’s also scored goals against Mexican youth national teams in each of the last three spring exhibition games Notre Dame has played, including a brace against the Mexico U18 team in April.

Gallagher is no stranger to training with top flight clubs. Prior to college, he had trials with Juventus FC, Marseille, Newcastle United and Blackburn Rovers.

The Union currently do not have a first or second round pick in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft. They traded their first round pick for a third round pick in the Charlie Davies deal with New England Revolution and traded away their second round pick to acquire the homegrown rights for Adam Najem.

Gallagher was ranked No. 33 in the TopDrawerSoccer.com college player rankings following the 2016 season. Only 14 players ranked higher than Gallagher are returning to college this fall. Among those, four are homegrown eligible and likely won’t be in the draft pool.