From May 17 to June 7, it finally looked like Zach Pfeffer had found a spot in the Philadelphia Union’s rotation.
But after playing in four straight games – as many as he had played in the previous three seasons combined – the teenager lost his place in the lineup when former manager John Hackworth was fired and replaced by Jim Curtin.
And he didn’t get it back until he final 17 minutes of the season, when Pfeffer not only saw in his first action since the beginning of June but also scored his first career MLS goal.
“It was great – an awesome feeling,” Pfeffer told MLSsoccer.com on Wednesday, three days after scoring in Philly’s 2-1 loss at Columbus. “I’m very happy to finally get that first one. It definitely gives me a lot of confidence going forward for sure.”
Pfeffer, who was signed by the Union as a 15-year-old high school sophomore in late 2010, knows he’s very lucky to be a professional soccer player at such a young age. At the same time, biding his time on the bench hasn’t always been easy.
And after honing his skills on a year-long loan at Hoffenheim in 2013, Pfeffer firmly expected to make an impact in MLS this season – a belief that was confirmed when Hackworth got him into four straight games, capped by a start vs. Vancouver on June 7.
“I thought I was going to continue that run of games,” Pfeffer said. “I was hoping it would continue. I was confident. I was playing really well. Unfortunately, the run stopped there for a little while. That’s what happens sometimes when coaches get changed.”
Pfeffer, though, says he has a good relationship with Curtin, dating back to their time together at the Union Academy. And he was thankful that the interim manager brought him off the bench for Saturday’s finale, setting the stage for the first goal ever scored by a Union Homegrown signing.
“I’m very honored and grateful to score that first goal,” Pfeffer said. “It’s funny, I was the first Homegrown player for the club and also the first Homegrown player to score a goal. For me, it’s a big honor. I’m very happy about it. And hopefully there will be many more. Hopefully that’s not where it ends.”
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Considering he’s played just 238 minutes in three full MLS seasons, some might question Pfeffer’s place with the Philly franchise moving forward. But the midfielder, who turns 20 next year, made it clear he doesn’t want to be anywhere else.
“I definitely want to be here,” he said. “I want to continue to be here in Philly. I want to continue to keep taking steps forward. I want to continue to make an impact and be here with my hometown team.
“I think next year is going to be big for me.”
Dave Zeitlin covers the Union for MLSsoccer.com. Email him at djzeitlin@gmail.com.
