Matthew Real

Matthew Real
Real with Bethlehem Steel in 2018
Personal information
Full name Matthew Joseph Real
Date of birth (1999-07-10) July 10, 1999 (age 27)
Place of birth Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, United States
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Position Left-back
Team information
Current team
 Hartford Athletic
Number 3
Youth career
2013–2016 Philadelphia Union
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2016–2019 Bethlehem Steel 57 (2)
2018–2024 Philadelphia Union 52 (2)
2022–2024 Philadelphia Union II 10 (4)
2024 → Colorado Springs Switchbacks (loan) 26 (1)
2025 Colorado Springs Switchbacks 22 (1)
2026– Hartford Athletic 8 (0)
International career
2017 United States U18 8 (0)
2018–2019 United States U20 11 (0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of July 12, 2026

Matthew Joseph Real (born July 10, 1999) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a left-back for Hartford Athletic in the USL Championship.

Club career

Bethlehem Steel FC

Real signed an amateur deal to play with United Soccer League side Bethlehem Steel FC for their 2016 season. He had committed to play college soccer at Wake Forest University, before opting to sign a professional contract with Bethlehem Steel FC on January 17, 2017.

Philadelphia Union

Real signed a homegrown contract with Bethlehem Steel's MLS parent club Philadelphia Union on January 18, 2018. Real made his MLS debut in the Union's 3–0 loss to the Colorado Rapids on March 31, 2018. Putting forth a solid 75-minute performance, saving a goal on the line to keep the Rapids scoreless heading into the half. In September 2020, Real scored his first goal for the Union as a substitute in a 3–0 victory over New York Red Bulls.

Colorado Springs Switchbacks

In April 2024, Real joined USL Championship club Colorado Springs Switchbacks on loan for the 2024 season.

Real signed with the Switchbacks on a permanent deal in January 2025.

Hartford Athletic

He transferred to Hartford Athletic in December 2025.

Personal life

Real was born in the United States to a Brazilian father and an Italian American mother.

Career statistics

As of match played November 21, 2021
Club Season League National cup Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Bethlehem Steel 2016 USL Championship 20——0020
2017 181——10191
2018 211——10221
2019 180——00180
Total 592000020612
Philadelphia Union 2018 Major League Soccer 3010—0040
2019 3010—0040
2020 151——10161
2021 80003000110
Total 291203010351
Career total 883203030963
  1. 1 2 Appearances in USL Cup Playoffs
  2. 1 2 Appearances in U.S. Open Cup
  3. ↑ Appearances in MLS is Back Tournament
  4. ↑ Appearances in CONCACAF Champions League

Honors

Philadelphia Union

United States U20

References

  1. ↑ "FIFA U-20 World Cup Poland 2019: List of Players: USA" (PDF). FIFA. June 13, 2019. p. 24. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 6, 2020.
  2. ↑ "Matthew Real". Philadelphia Union. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
  3. ↑ "Matthew Real | Philadelphia Union Profile". philadelphiaunion.com. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  4. ↑ "Matthew Real verbally commits to Wake Forest". December 3, 2015.
  5. ↑ "Bethlehem Steel FC signs defender Matthew Real | Philadelphia Union".
  6. ↑ "Philadelphia Union Sign Homegrown Defender Matthew Real".
  7. ↑ Matthew Ralph (September 7, 2020). "'Angry' about not starting, Matt Real chips in first MLS goal off the bench". Brotherly Game. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  8. ↑ "Switchbacks FC Acquire Defender Matt Real On Loan From Philadelphia Union For 2024". www.switchbacksfc.com. April 18, 2024. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  9. ↑ Purslow, Ashley. "Switchbacks FC Announce Matt Real's Signing for 2025 Season!". SwitchbacksFC.com. Colorado Springs Switchbacks. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  10. ↑ https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/1351438
  11. ↑ "AAA Start Your Journey: Matt Real | Philadelphia Union". Archived from the original on November 22, 2018. Retrieved November 22, 2018.
  12. ↑ "Matthew Real". Soccerway. Playmaker Stats. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  13. ↑ Major League Soccer [@MLS] (November 8, 2020). "SUPPORTERS' SHIELD WINNERS @PhilaUnion win their first trophy in club history! #DOOP" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  14. ↑ Sigal, Jonathan (November 5, 2022). "Hollywood ending! LAFC win legendary MLS Cup 2022 over Philadelphia Union". Major League Soccer. Retrieved April 27, 2023.