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Steel Standout Trusty Signs with Union

By USLSoccer.com Staff, 08/10/16, 11:17AM EDT

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Becomes second player to feature for Steel to sign as Homegrown Player


Photo courtesy Philadelphia Union

CHESTER, Pa. – The Philadelphia Union announced on Wednesday it had signed Bethlehem Steel FC standout Auston Trusty as a Homegrown Player. Trusty is the second player to sign as a HGP from the Steel this year, following the signing of Derrick Jones last month.

Trusty originally joined the Philadelphia Union as a member of the first group of Union Juniors in 2011. This year he joined the Steel for the club’s inaugural season as an Academy signing. Trusty has made 13 appearances for Bethlehem this season, and logged 1,170 minutes of action, which puts him seventh on the team.

“Auston has a really bright future ahead of him and it was important for us to keep him here, utilizing our professional pathway to the First Team,” Union Sporting Director Earnie Stewart said. “He has really benefitted from playing at the USL level this season, further showing just how valuable this process can be. He’s now proven himself at our Academy, at Bethlehem Steel FC and at various youth national teams throughout his young career. We believe he’s ready for the next step in his progression and couldn’t be happier to have him signed.”

The 17-year-old center back is the fifth Homegrown signing in Union history. Trusty has been with the Union’s Academy since 2013, during which time he has also competed internationally for the United States Youth National Teams. Trusty was most recently part of the U.S. U19 National Team that competed at the COTIF Tournament in Valencia, Spain earlier this month, having previously been part of the U.S. U20 National Team that claimed the 2016 NTC Invitational in California in July.

“Auston’s path through the Academy was anything but smooth. In his first season with the U16s, he barely played and struggled for consistency. However, in keeping with our philosophy, we were patient with Auston and we allowed him the time to flourish,” Union Academy Director Tommy Wilson said. “He grabbed this opportunity with both hands and never looked back. I’m particularly pleased for our Union Juniors staff led by Iain Munro, who nurtured him from a young age. Auston has matured both on and off the pitch and we are proud to have him sign as a homegrown.” 

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