From strength to strength, Stas Korzeniowski ready to star with Union II

Stas Korzeniowski scores goals. Lots of them.

So when he suits up for Philadelphia Union II there’s no reason to believe he won’t keep scoring. Like he did at UPenn over the last four years and did before that with PDA in MLS Next. The 6-foot-4 target man had 32 goals for the Quakers over four seasons and helped lead them to three straight Ivy League titles.

He’s set to graduate this May but in the meantime, he’s already begun his pro career with the Union, which liked him enough to draft him in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft and even more after his senior season extending an opportunity to play with the first team in a preseason that resulted in a contract offer.

“I’ve been super happy to come in and to be part of this organization,” Korzeniowski said. “Everyone here has been very helpful, very kind and caring and investing in my development and growth. I can already tell there is a pathway for me here that I just want to build on and I want to do my best and represent this club in the best way.”

Korzeniowski wouldn’t be the first player from the area to take MLS Next Pro by storm after a successful college career at a Philly Soccer 6 school. Chris Donovan followed that path to the first team and Jamaican international Cory Burke blazed that trail from the old Bethlehem Steel FC days to a successful stint as a reserve first team striker.

The Skillman, N.J. native will immediately have competition from younger strikers and a responsibility to serve as a role model for a team with few other players under the age of 21. Nick Pariano, 21, is on a season-long loan with the second team and goalkeeper Mike Sheridan, 23, is back to give new head coach Ryan Richter a trio of older players to lead the way. A couple other players that fit that profile have been in camp but have not yet been announced as signings.

Korzeniowski thrived at Penn using his size and strength to hold the ball and set up teammates – he had 17 assists over his time in West Philly – and power in goals.

“I was honored to be heavily decorated as an individual but that was only because of the success of the team,” he said. “We made something special out of it and I like to say not only did we make history but we created a legacy.”

For Union II – a team that made it all the way to the MLS Next Pro final last year – Korzeniowski hopes to replicate what both Penn and Union II were able to accomplish last year reaching new heights of success. Penn opened their fall season with a win over top-seeded Pitt and after winning the Ivy League title for a third straight year earned a national seed and hosting privilege for the NCAA tournament.

“I like to score goals and that’s my job as a striker but I also want to be a playmaker and an assist man and work hard defensively and help in whatever way that works,” he said. “And hopefully get Union II a championship.”

Richter said his ability to adapt to the style of play that is played from the first team on down was key in him sticking with the organization. The Union have of course become well known across the league for trading draft picks or opting out altogether but have also been consistent in giving extended looks to players with notable upsides who have starred at local college programs.

“His size, strength, and quality provide an invaluable asset, as he’s able to challenge defenders physically and provide a strong presence in the box,” Richter said.

Richter won’t have a shortage of forwards or decisions to make when filling out the lineup card. Last year’s leading goal scorer Eddy Davis and striking partner Sal Olivas both signed first team deals but are back with Union II and Malik Jakupovic is one of the top forward prospects in his age group (2009).

Stas acknowledges that the goal is ultimately to make the jump to MLS but is focused like he’s always been on doing the best job he can do right where he is, not getting ahead of himself on a journey that can be far less forgiving for players entering the pro game at 22.

“That’s the dream (MLS), that’s the goal so it’s nice to know there’s something to work toward,” he said. “But that doesn’t take away the effort or the focus while I’m here.”