Neil Pierre

Neil Pierre
Personal information
Date of birth (2007-10-19) October 19, 2007 (age 19)
Place of birth Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Height 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Position Center-back
Team information
Current team
 Philadelphia Union
Number 44
Youth career
Philadelphia Union
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2023–2025 Philadelphia Union II 56 (6)
2025– Philadelphia Union 12 (4)
2026 → Lyngby (loan) 10 (4)
International career‡
2022 United States U15 2 (0)
2022 United States U16 6 (0)
2024–2025 United States U18 3 (0)
2024– United States U19 8 (0)
2026– United States 3 (0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 17 September 2026
‡ National team caps and goals as of October 6, 2026

Neil Pierre (born October 19, 2007) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a center-back for the Philadelphia Union of Major League Soccer and the United States national team. A physically imposing and athletic, ball-playing defender, he has been praised for combining exceptional size with speed, defensive strength, passing ability and has been described as perhaps the best center-back prospect in Union history.

Early life

Pierre was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to Haitian parents, and raised in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, before moving to Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, as his brother had joined the Philadelphia Union Academy. He later joined the Philadelphia Union Academy himself. In June 2023, he was named to the MLS Next All-Star Game.

Club career

In July 2023, Pierre signed a professional contract with Philadelphia Union II in MLS Next Pro. He made his debut on July 23, 2023, in a 6–2 victory over Columbus Crew 2. On August 19, 2023, he scored his first goal in a loss against Huntsville City FC. In February 2025, Pierre signed a homegrown player contract with the Philadelphia Union first team, through the 2028 season, with an option for 2029, as an off-roster player for the 2025 season. He signed a short-term loan with the first team in February 2025. He signed additional short-term loans throughout the season. He made his MLS debut on September 13, 2025 against the Vancouver Whitecaps FC. For the 2025 season, he was named the MLS Next Pro Defender of the Year.

In January 2026, Pierre joined Danish 1st Division club Lyngby on a 6-months loan deal.

International career

Pierre first represented the United States U15 at international level. In 2023, Pierre was called up to the United States U16 team for the International Dream Cup, where he served as captain in a match against the Netherlands. In March 2024, he was called up to the United States U19 team, ahead of a pair of friendlies. In September 2024, he was called up to the United States U18, ahead of a friendly tournament in Japan, where he appeared in all three matches.

Personal life

He is the brother of fellow soccer player Nelson Pierre.

Career statistics

Club

International

As of match played October 6, 2026
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
United States 202630
Total30

Honors

Philadelphia Union

Lyngby

References

  1. ↑ Profile at Worldfootball, worldfootball.net
  2. ↑ "Philadelphia Union Sign Homegrown Defender Neil Pierre". Philadelphia Union. February 4, 2025. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  3. ↑ Tannenwald, Jonathan (February 4, 2025). "Neil Pierre, perhaps the best centerback prospect in Union history, signs a first-team deal". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  4. ↑ Hurley, Sage (February 4, 2025). "The Pathway: Academy standout Neil Pierre signs with the first team". Philadelphia Union.
  5. ↑ Tannenwald, Jonathan (February 4, 2025). "Neil Pierre, perhaps the best centerback prospect in Union history, signs a first-team deal". The Philadelphia Inquirer.
  6. ↑ "Union Academy's Neil Pierre selected for 2023 MLS NEXT All-Star Game Presented by Allstate". Philadelphia Union. June 29, 2023.
  7. ↑ "Philadelphia Union II Add Defender Neil Pierre to MLS NEXT Pro Roster". Philadelphia Union. July 20, 2023.
  8. ↑ Lewis, Todd (February 5, 2025). "Philadelphia Union Secure Young Talent: Neil Pierre Signs Homegrown Deal Through 2028". The Free Kick.
  9. ↑ "Recap: Union II falls to Huntsville City FC on the road". Philadelphia Union. August 19, 2023.
  10. ↑ Ralph, Matthew (February 4, 2025). "17-year-old center back Neil Pierre signed to first team deal". Philadelphia Soccer Now.
  11. ↑ Hurley, Sage (February 4, 2025). "The Pathway: Academy standout Neil Pierre signs with the first team". Philadelphia Union.
  12. ↑ "Philadelphia Union Add Frankie Westfield and Neil Pierre To Roster Ahead Of Match Against Orlando City SC". Philadelphia Union. February 22, 2025.
  13. ↑ "Philadelphia Union Add Neil Pierre To Roster Ahead Of Match Against New York City FC". Philadelphia Union. April 12, 2025.
  14. ↑ "Philadelphia Union Add Neil Pierre To Roster Ahead Of Match Against Atlanta United". Philadelphia Union. April 19, 2025.
  15. ↑ "Philadelphia Union Add Neil Pierre To Roster Ahead Of Match Against D.C. United". Philadelphia Union. April 26, 2025.
  16. ↑ "Philadelphia Union Add Homegrown Trio To Roster Ahead Of Match Against Columbus Crew". Philadelphia Union. June 29, 2025.
  17. ↑ "Neil Pierre Named 2025 MLS NEXT Pro Defender Of The Year". Philadelphia Union. October 16, 2025.
  18. ↑ Almoney, Jillian (October 17, 2025). "Neil Pierre Named Defender of the Year; Four Named to U-17 World Cup Squad". The One Team We Agree On.
  19. ↑ Pierre er på plads for Lyngby, lyngby-boldklub.dk, 22 January 2026
  20. ↑ Cosenza, Gina (February 10, 2025). "Philadelphia Union Sign 17-Year-Old Neil Pierre to Four-Year Contract". WPEN (FM).
  21. 1 2 "Union II's David Vazquez and Neil Pierre Earn First U-19 USMNT Call Up". Philadelphia Union. March 15, 2024.
  22. ↑ "Union II Defender Neil Pierre named to U.S. U-18 Men's Youth National Team". Philadelphia Union. September 6, 2024.
  23. ↑ "Union II Defender Neil Pierre called in for US U-19 Men's Youth National Team". Philadelphia Union. November 8, 2024.
  24. ↑ DeGeorge, Matthew (November 1, 2024). "With ascension of Neil Pierre, Union could continue trend of talented brothers". Delaware County Daily Times.
  25. ↑ "Philadelphia Union win 2025 Supporters' Shield". MLS Soccer. 4 October 2025. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
  26. ↑ "Casper 'Dani' Winther er Årets Profil i 1. division 2025/2026" [Casper ‘Dani’ Winther is the Player of the Year in the First Division for the 2025/2026 season]. SPFO — Spillerforeningen (in Danish). 25 May 2026. Retrieved 9 August 2026.