Philly Soccer Notebook: Pluck announces retirement, PIAAs moving to Pittsburgh & More

North Wales, Pa. native Mackenzie Pluck is hanging up the boots on her professional career, announcing her retirement from the game earlier this week. Pluck, who starred at Duke and spent time in the NWSL with Angel City FC and in the USL Super League with Brooklyn FC and Tampa Bay Sun, shared this on her Instagram:

“To the sport that brought me so much joy over the years — thank you. I feel incredibly lucky that this game became not just a vehicle to amazing places, but also an outlet to express myself, lean into my faith, and grow along the way. But more than anything, it introduced me to some of the most incredible people — roommates, teammates, coaches, staff, mentors, and friends — who shaped me far beyond the field. I’ll carry those relationships with me forever. My dreams are evolving, and I’m excited to step into what’s next. So much love and gratitude for all the support over the years.”

Pluck starred at Germantown Academy and with FC Bucks and PDA before a successful five-season career at Duke.

PIAA Soccer Championships Move to Highmark Stadium
Area high school soccer teams will have to travel further to win a state championship but the payoff will be playing a final in the home of the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. PIAA recently announced that Highmark Stadium will host the PIAA state finals through 2029.

Founder of Shawnee Girls Soccer Dies at Age 85
Michael Bacon founded the Shawnee High School girls soccer program in 1981 and coached for 16 seasons, compiling an outstanding 204-88-26 career record. He guided Shawnee to three South Jersey Group 4 titles, five Burlington County League Liberty Division championships, and an Olympic Conference American Division championship. Read his Obituary.

Another York Standout Transfers to Division 1 Program
A second player from York College has transferred to Division 1 with Colin Findlay (Selinsgrove, Pa.) making the move to Bucknell. He joins defender Dylan Marco making the jump to Division 1 with UMass.

College Soccer Signing Tracker

Deus Scores Again
Deus Stanislaus (Fort Washington, Pa.) scored another goal for the U.S. Under-17s, this time in a 3-0 win over Denmark.

Jack de Vries Returns
Former Philadelphia Union forward Jack De Vries returned to the field for the first time in 739 days last week with a cameo off the bench for FC Den Bosch against PSV in a cup match and then came off the bench to play 45 minutes in a league match a few days later for the second division side in the Netherlands.

Patrick Bohui Signs with New York Cosmos
In more Philadelphia Union Academy alumni news, Patrick Bohui recently signed with the New York Cosmos ahead of their inaugural season in USL League One. He joins fellow Union Academy alum Massimo Morabito on the team.

Stojanovic Reuniting with Former Coach in Brooklyn
Stefan Stojanovic is reuniting with former Philadelphia Union II coach Marlon LeBlanc ahead of Brooklyn FC’s inaugural season in the USL Championship. Stojanovic played for FC Tulsa and Las Vegas Lights over two seasons since his tenure in Chester ended.

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