Union 2 left back Anton Sorenson reportedly signing homegrown deal with first team

Philadelphia Union 2 left back Anthony “Anton” Sorenson is signing a first team homegrown deal with the Philadelphia Union, according to Ives Galarcep.

A U.S. youth international, the 18-year-old Sorenson joined the Union Academy in August 2019 and was one of the standouts for Union 2 in their last season in the USL Championship in 2020 when he had a goal and an assist in 12 appearances.

He’s part of the 2022 graduating class at YSC Academy.

Prior to joining the Union, he played for the Michigan Wolves and would be the first homegrown player from Michigan to sign a first team deal (former Union 2 players Issa Rayyan and Ben Ofeimu both turned pro with USL deals). He would also join a growing crop of players recruited from outside the region to sign homegrown deals. That includes current first team players Jack de Vries, Cole Turner, Nathan Harriel and Jack McGlynn.

Sorenson’s reported signing gives the Union three left backs with Kai Wagner as the everyday starter and Matt Real as the backup. The move to sign Sorenson, who was seen training with the first team last week, could signal a potential move for Real, who had the option year on his initial homegrown contract picked up for this season but hasn’t played since late June and has never been able to get consistent playing time.

Wagner, who was announced as a member of the MLS All-Star team on Wednesday, is also a potential transfer target.