Tucker and Westfield named Philadelphia Union II captains

Kyle Tucker and Frankie Westfield have been named Philadelphia Union II captains for the upcoming MLS Next Pro season.

Tucker, 24, was signed to the team last season after a successful college career at Drexel and with West Chester United. The Phoenixville native played locally at Penn Fusion and FC Delco growing up. Westfield, 18, enters his third season as an amateur academy player in the squad. The Philadelphia native, who played at Philadelphia SC before joining the academy, is committed to play college soccer at Penn State but already has an impressive pro resume with 46 appearances in Next Pro over the last two seasons.

“Kyle and Frankie both embody a lot of the values that we have as a club,” Union II Head Coach Marlon LeBlanc said in a news release. “They are two local kids who understand the culture and nature of the club. When you watch them at training every single day, they roll up their sleeves, put their heads down and outwork everyone. When it came time to decide who should set examples for the young first team players that will get minutes with us along with the Union II signed players and members from Philadelphia Union Academy, Kyle and Frankie were no doubt players that everyone should look to embody.”

Tucker becomes the first official captain of Union II in the Next Pro era.

“It’s a great honor to represent Union II as captain for this upcoming season and to lead so many young, talented players that have bright futures ahead of them,” Tucker said. “Being a local kid who grew up watching the Union and even attending the first Union match to where I am today is just a dream. First and foremost, you have to lead by example and as a leader in order to push others, you need to show the level that is expected here at the club. Holding high standards first for myself and for everyone else around me will help us grow together as a team.”

Philadelphia Union II opens its 2024 MLS Next Pro season on Sunday, March 17 against Toronto FC II. Kick off from Subaru Park is set for 3 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.