Anthony Fontana

Anthony Fontana (born 1999) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for the Philadelphia Union in Major League Soccer.[1][2]

Not to be confused with Anthony Fantano.
Anthony Fontana
Fontana with the Philadelphia Union in 2019
Personal information
Full name Anthony Fontana
Date of birth (1999-10-14) October 14, 1999
Place of birth Newark, Delaware, United States
Height 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Philadelphia Union
Number 21
Youth career
2013–2016 Philadelphia Union
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2016–2019 Bethlehem Steel 48 (1)
2018– Philadelphia Union 42 (8)
National team
2018 United States U20 2 (4)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of November 21, 2021

Youth soccer

Fontana began his recreational youth league development with Kirkwood Soccer Club in New Castle, Delaware at age 4.[3] By age 10, Fontana had his first participation with the Philadelphia Union Academy and became a full-time participant in 2014.[3]

Professional career

Bethlehem Steel

Fontana developed at the Philadelphia Union Academy and made his way through to Bethlehem Steel FC, the Philadelphia Union's second team as an academy player. He made his professional debut against FC Cincinnati in July 2016 at 16 years of age.[4] He would go on to make 8 appearances for Steel during their inaugural season.

The next season, Fontana saw an additional 11 appearances for Steel FC, and even earned an appearance for the Union during their summer friendly against Swansea City.[2]

Philadelphia Union

On July 17, 2017, Fontana signed a homegrown player contract with Philadelphia Union. Fontana became an active Union player on January 1, 2018.[5]

On March 3, 2018, Fontana made his debut for Philadelphia Union, starting in the season opener against New England Revolution. He scored the opening goal of the season against the Revolution which was ultimately the game-winner.[6] Fontana became the first Union homegrown player to score a brace when he came into the match as a substitute against the New England Revolution in September 2020.[7][8] Fontana became a standout in the substitution role and finishing the 2020 season scoring six goals in 523 minutes of play, contributing the Union's first major trophy in the 2020 Supporters' Shield.[9][10]

In the Union's debut season in the CONCACAF Champions League, Fontana became the first homegrown player to score a Champions League goal in a 4–0 home victory over Deportivo Saprissa, advancing to the quarterfinals.[11]

International

Fontana was born in the United States and is of Italian descent.[12] Fontana has appeared in the 2018 CONCACAF U-20 Championship representing United States.

Career statistics

Club
As of match played 1 May 2021[13]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Bethlehem Steel FC 2016 USL Championship 80——0080
2017 110——00110
Bethlehem Steel FC (loan) 2018 161——00161
Philadelphia Union II (loan) 2019 140——00140
Total 491000000491
Philadelphia Union 2018 Major League Soccer 5110—0061
2019 8111—0092
2020 196——2[lower-alpha 1][lower-alpha 2]0216
2021 20003[lower-alpha 3]20052
Total 3482132204111
Career total 8392132209012
  1. Appearances in the MLS is Back Tournament
  2. Appearances in the MLS Cup Playoffs
  3. Appearances in the CONCACAF Champions League

Honors

Philadelphia Union

References
  1. "Roster". Philadelphia Union. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
  2. "Anthony Fontana | Philadelphia Union Profile". Philadelphia Union. Retrieved 4 March 2018.
  3. Kevin Tresolini (3 August 2017). "Delaware prodigy Fontana signs contract with Philadelphia Union". Delaware Online. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  4. "Steel FC's Unbeaten Road Streak Snapped, Fall to FC Cincinnati". Bethlehem Steel FC. 2 July 2016. Archived from the original on 5 March 2018. Retrieved 10 December 2016.
  5. "Philadelphia Union Sign Midfielder Anthony Fontana As A Homegrown Player". philadelphiaunion.com. MLS. July 17, 2017. Retrieved January 31, 2018.
  6. Tresolini, Kevin (March 3, 2018). "Newark's Fontana starts, scores for Union in Major League Soccer debut". The News Journal. Delaware Online. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
  7. Mood, Abbie (September 12, 2020). "Philadelphia Union 2, New England Revolution 1". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  8. Tannenwald, Jonathan (September 13, 2020). "Anthony Fontana did more than just score in Union's win over New England". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  9. Henry Jr., Larry (April 6, 2021). "MLS Preview Spotlight: Fontana ready to build on breakout 2020 with Union". sbisoccer.com. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
  10. Tom Bogert (8 November 2020). "How the Philadelphia Union built a Supporters' Shield-contending team in two years". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  11. Lobasso, Zach (April 15, 2021). "Philadelphia Union Dominate Saprissa & Advance to Champions League Quarterfinals". phillysportsnetwork.com. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
  12. Lewis, Michael (August 8, 2018). "Philly's Next Biggest Star Anthony Fontana Understands The Game Behind The Game". EDP Soccer.
  13. Anthony Fontana at Soccerway. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
  14. "Philadelphia Union win 2020 MLS Supporters' Shield on regular season's final day". Major League Soccer. November 8, 2020. Retrieved November 9, 2020.


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