Marcos Zambrano

Updated March 27, 2026

MARCOS ZAMBRANO AT A GLANCE:

• United States youth international owns 33 professional appearances in the United States and Portugal.
• Signed first MLS contract with Real Salt Lake in July 2025, scoring five goals in 10 appearances with the club’s MLS NEXT Pro side, Real Monarchs.
• Selected to Marko Mitrović’s roster for the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, starting five matches and scoring one goal.
• Owns eight goals in 27 youth caps for the United States across the U-19 and U-20 levels, having previously represented Ecuador on the international stage.
• Spent two-and-a-half seasons in Portugal, playing in the Benfica Academy system before seeing time with Vitória Guimarães B.
• Earned professional debut with Philadelphia Union 2 in MLS NEXT Pro, logging two appearances during the 2022 campaign.

MLS CAREER: United States youth international still awaiting MLS debut…Owns 13 MLS NEXT Pro appearances, tallying seven goals…Acquired on loan from Real Salt Lake through Dec. 31, 2026 in exchange for New England's natural third-round selection in the 2027 MLS SuperDraft, on March 27, 2026…In 2026, scored two goals in two MLS NEXT Pro appearances…Signed with Real Salt Lake to an MLS contract through the 2025 season, with club options for 2026, 2027 and 2028 MLS campaigns…Appeared in nine matches for Real Monarchs in MLS NEXT Pro across the regular season and playoffs, scoring five goals…Spent 2022 season with Philadelphia Union 2 in MLS NEXT Pro while developing in the club’s Academy…Appeared in two matches, starting one, during the 2022 season.

2026 (with Real Salt Lake & New England): Acquired on loan from Real Salt Lake through Dec. 31, 2026 in exchange for New England's natural third-round selection in the 2027 MLS SuperDraft, on March 27, 2026…Scored two goals in two MLS NEXT Pro appearances…(3/1) vs. NTX: Made season debut off the bench, converting attempt in penalty shootout…(3/8) at SKCII: Scored two goals, including the game-winner, in a road shutout victory.

2025 (with Real Salt Lake): Signed with Real Salt Lake to an MLS contract through the 2025 season, with club options for 2026, 2027 and 2028 MLS campaigns…Appeared in nine matches for Real Monarchs in MLS NEXT Pro across the regular season and playoffs, scoring five goals…(8/3) at POR2: Made club debut for Real Monarchs, starting and playing 70 minutes…(8/9) at HOU2: Scored first two MLS NEXT Pro goals…(8/24) vs. MIN2: Tallied third goal in four games for Real Monarchs…(9/14) vs. VCFC: Notched fourth goal of the MLS NEXT Pro campaign…(9/19) at LAFC2: Tallied goals in consecutive matches for first time in career…Postseason: Appeared in lone playoff match…(10/19) vs. MIN2: Started and played 80 minutes in postseason debut after returning from the U-20 World Cup.

2022 (with Philadelphia Union): Spent season with Philadelphia Union 2 in MLS NEXT Pro while developing in the club’s Academy…Appeared in two matches, starting one, during the 2022 MLS NEXT Pro season…(8/27) at CLB2: Made professional debut, logging 45 minutes off the bench…(9/4) vs. RNY: Made first professional start at center forward, playing 59 minutes.

CLUB CAREER OUTSIDE MLS: Joined Portuguese side SL Benfica in January 2023…Played mainly for the Benfica Under-23 side, with one appearance for Benfica B from 2023-24…Departed Benfica in January 2024 and signed a contract until 2027 with Vitória de Guimarães…Scored one goal in six appearances for Vitória B.

Vitória Guimarães B: Departed Benfica in January 2024 and signed a contract until 2027 with Vitória de Guimarães…Scored one goal in six appearances for Vitória B…Also saw action with the Vitoria U-18 side…Scored lone goal for the club on April 13, 2025 against Vianense.

Benfica B: Joined Portuguese side SL Benfica in January 2023…Played mainly for the Benfica Under-23 side, with one appearance for Benfica B from 2023-24…Made club debut for the U-23 level on Feb. 1, 2023 vs. Estoril Praia U-23s…Tallied first assist on April 25, 2023 at Vizela U-23…Scored first goal in U-23 Cup play at Estoril Praia U-23…Recorded second assist on Aug. 29, 2023 at Santa Clara U-23…Made Benfica B debut on Dec. 6, 2023 in U-21 Premier League International Cup action at Crystal Palace U-21.

INTERNATIONAL (ECUADOR & UNITED STATES): Has collected 29 total youth caps between Ecuador and the United States, tallying eight goals…Made youth international debut for the Ecuador U-15 team on April 16, 2019…Switched allegiances to the United States in 2021…Earned first call-up to the U.S. U-19 National Team in April 2022…Scored in his U-19 debut Sept. 27, 2022 vs. Scotland…Scored second international goal against the England U-19s on March 24, 2024…Made U.S. U-20 debut on July 20, 2024 in Concacaf U-20 Championship play against Jamaica, tallying a goal and an assist…Scored one goal in five appearances at the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

PERSONAL: Full name is Marcos Alberto Zambrano Delgado…Fluent in English and Spanish...Born in Guayaquil, Ecuador to an American father and Ecuadorian mother…Began youth career with Club Sport Norte America in native Guayaquil…Moved to the United States to join the Philadelphia Union Academy in 2021…Moved to the Benfica Academy in Portugal in 2023…Hails from Parkland, Florida…Has one brother, Matteo, currently in the Real Salt Lake Academy.