From the Academy to the Pros: Andrew Rick's Inspiring Path with the Philadelphia Union
From Academy Triumphs to Signing with the Philadelphia Union
On May 4th, the Philadelphia Union announced the addition of Andrew Rick through a Homegrown deal, marking their 23rd ever. Rick is no stranger to the club, having been a product of the Academy and joining the system at the age of nine. This year has been one to remember for the young American from Berwyn.
I sat with Andrew for 45 minutes to talk about his path with the Academy, his time with Union II, and his experience with the senior team so far.
A common misconception among youth-level players and parents is thinking that players need to focus solely on one sport to become a professional. In reality, cross-training allows for different skills to develop. For Andrew, this was the case, as he focused on a variety of sports growing up, though he humbly denied being “good” at any of them:
“I played basketball, baseball, and lacrosse. I played all sports. My parents encouraged sports because they are fun. As a kid, I wanted to run around and move, not sit around. I wasn’t good at them, but I wanted to play them. Basketball and baseball were integral to my position, helping with hand-eye coordination. I did not play them at a high level, just recreationally, but they helped me work on skills that I wouldn’t have developed by just playing soccer.”
Being part of the Philadelphia Union Academy holds some weight and is certainly something to be proud of, as it is a dream for many and the start of something special for even fewer young players. Andrew did not take any of it for granted, considering the level of coaching and the different experiences that he was able to take advantage of while being part of one of the premier academies on the continent:
“I have been part of the Academy basically my whole life. It has been a great experience for me personally, with incredible teammates and coaches. There were some rough moments, but I knew how to fix them, and the coaches were great in supporting me and the other players, pushing us to reach the next level. As one of the better academies in the US, we emphasize bigger tournaments. Those experiences were great and helped me a lot - I got to play against international competition.”
In 2023, Andrew officially signed his MLS Next Pro contract thanks to his incredible resume, which includes a U-13 CONCACAF Champions League trophy, MLS NEXT Cup, and Generation Adidas Cup trophies with the Academy, among others. This contract meant an opportunity to work with head coach for the Philadelphia Union II, Marlon LeBlanc. LeBlanc, renowned for his time with West Virginia, where he coached eventual professionals like Jack Elliott and Ray Gaddis, is well-regarded as a coach who pushes players to the next level. When asked about Marlon, Andrew shared:
“I remember the first session I had with him when I was 14. I was scared, but he helped get me settled and comfortable. He is a great guy, and sure, we have moments where we disagree, but ultimately, he wants the best for me and my teammates. He is very clear about what he wants from me and has helped me build momentum. There is never any confusion about what he is asking from us. I really appreciate it.”
LeBlanc is not the only coach Andrew has thanked for his development. Phil Wheddon, a coach with an impressive resume as long as a receipt from CVS, has been another formative part of Andrew’s development. Over the past decade, Wheddon has been a keystone of goalkeeping education across the nation due to his involvement in both the men’s and women's games. When asked to share about his relationship and respect for Wheddon, Rick shared:
“When you say Phil goes under the radar, you are so right. His leadership and what we do in training really help us improve. He gives me advice all the time. We, the goalkeepers, have a group that works really well. Being around Phil and just listening has really helped me a lot. I believe that Phil’s background is at such a high level, and I want to get there, too.”
Another figure Andrew is thankful for in his development is Andre Blake, the longtime Union star and Jamaican International captain. Blake, who holds many records within the organization, has been a stalwart for the team over the years, anchoring a record-setting defense and, on a personal level, being the only goalkeeper in MLS history to win three Goalkeeper of the Year awards. When speaking about his experience learning from one of the best to ever play in MLS, never mind the Union, Andrew mentioned:
“It has been amazing. He is quite literally the best possible role model I could ask for. Unfortunately, he has been experiencing injuries as of late, but over the past year, training with him has been great. He shares advice and is willing to let me learn from him. I couldn’t ask for anyone better to work and train with on a daily basis.”
Andrew's rise this year was anything but conventional. As a player that the Union trusts, the team allotted him the opportunity to join the squad a total of four times via the short-term loan mechanism that the league has. However, per Jim Curtin, it was only a matter of time until Andrew signed a first-team contract, finally doing so in 2024, just a year after earning his contract with the second team. When asked about the timing of the loans, how early he knew he'd be part of the squad, and what he thinks about the timing of the contract, he said:
“The first two that I got called for, I knew pretty early on. Dre was away on international duty, and Holden was hurt. For the last two, I did not know until the day before the game. It was to the point that I was carrying a senior kit and a Union kit in my bag. I believe that I am ready. I bet on myself, and if there is a chance for me to get in the game, I’m going to take it. If and when I get the opportunity, I will be ready to take it and do my best. When my time comes, I will do the best that I can for the club.”
Twenty-two other homegrown deals were signed ahead of Andrew, including the likes of the Aaronson brothers, Mark McKenzie, Quinn Sullivan, and Auston Trusty, to name a few. This is an incredible achievement, something that any young player would dream of. For Andrew, the feeling is still sinking in, though he is aware that he did not do this alone:
“It feels great and it means a lot to me. My dream has been to play for the club and earn a homegrown deal, so to finally accomplish that is a dream come true. Whether the circumstances are fortunate or not, I appreciate everything that the coaches have done for me and the trust they have put in me. If the Union did not believe in me, I would not have earned the deal. It is surreal and amazing.”
Andrew and the Philadelphia Union first team face off against Charlotte FC tonight, May 25, 2024. Though it is not clear when his first-team debut will occur, it feels like a matter of time until the young American is given a chance to shine.
Video Courtesy: Philadelphia Union