Zach Pfeffer
Zach Pfeffer | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 6, 1995 Dresher, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Occupation(s) | Former professional soccer player, investment banking analyst |
| Years active | 2010–2016 (soccer) |
| Known for | Fourth-youngest MLS signee; Philadelphia Union homegrown player |
Zachary "Zach" Pfeffer (born January 6, 1995) is a retired American professional soccer athlete. At just 15 years old, he became the fourth-youngest individual to secure a contract in Major League Soccer. Pfeffer concluded his playing career in 2016 at the age of 21.
Early life
Born in Dresher, Pennsylvania, Pfeffer, who is Jewish, attended Upper Dublin High School, balancing his education while competing for the Philadelphia Union. During his youth, he played for several Pennsylvania clubs including YMS Celtics, FC Delco Academy, and Montgomery Maniacs before joining the U-17 national residency program at IMG Soccer Academy in 2010.
Following his retirement from professional soccer, Pfeffer enrolled at the Fox School of Business and Management at Temple University and subsequently embarked on a career in investment banking.
Philadelphia Union
Pfeffer trained alongside the Philadelphia Union senior squad and featured in a friendly match against C.D. Guadalajara on September 1, 2010. He also competed with Philadelphia’s U-17 team during the MLS U-17 SUM Cup.
On December 22, 2010, at age 15, Pfeffer became the first-ever homegrown player signed by the Union, ranking as the fourth-youngest MLS signee after Freddy Adu, Fuad Ibrahim, and Diego Fagundez. He netted his inaugural goal for Philadelphia in a preseason match against UCF on February 14, 2011. Pfeffer made his official league debut on September 17 versus Columbus Crew when he was 16. In the 2015 season, he appeared in 21 matches, starting 11 times, contributing two goals and one assist. By the time of his exit, he was among the Union’s longest-serving players.
TSG 1899 Hoffenheim (loan)
Beginning January 7, Pfeffer spent the full 2013 season on loan with German club TSG 1899 Hoffenheim. During the 2012–2013 season, he tallied two goals across nine appearances for Hoffenheim’s U-19 squad.
Colorado Rapids
In January 2016, Pfeffer was traded to the Colorado Rapids in exchange for the second overall pick in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft, which was utilized to select defender Josh Yaro. He also took part in the Major League Soccer Homegrown Game during both 2014 and 2015.
Opting to step away from professional soccer, Pfeffer decided to focus on higher education and a career in finance. He explained: "I evaluated where my true interests lay... there was a strong desire to pursue this next chapter of my life." Former Philadelphia Union coach Jim Curtin acknowledged Pfeffer’s abilities and noted the early conclusion of his playing career.
International
Pfeffer represented the United States at U-14 and U-15 levels and attended training at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida as part of the U.S. Soccer U-17 residency program. On April 18, 2011, he received a call-up to the U-17 National Team for participation in France’s Mondial Minimes Montaigu Tournament, held from April 18 to April 26.
In 2012, Pfeffer joined the inaugural camp for the U-18 National Team under Manager Richie Williams, attending several camps that year and scoring during a November friendly against Canada.
Club
| Club record | League | Cup | League Cup | Continental | Overall | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | Competition | Appearances | Goals | Appearances | Goals | Appearances | Goals | Appearances | Goals | Appearances | Goals |
| United States | League matches | U.S. Open Cup | League Cup matches | North American competition | Total matches | |||||||
| 2011 | Philadelphia Union | Major League Soccer | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 3 | 0 | |
| 2012 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 1 | 0 | ||||
| 2013 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 2014 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 5 | 1 | ||||
| 2015 | 21 | 2 | 2 | 0 | – | – | 23 | 2 | ||||
| Total | United States | 30 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 3 | |
| Career total | 30 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 32 | 3 | ||
Statistics current as of January 15, 2016
Post-soccer career
While still active as a player, Pfeffer completed more than three semesters of online coursework through Penn State. By the year 2020, he had shifted his professional focus to finance, securing a role as an investment banking analyst at Goldman Sachs.
See also
External links
- 1995 births
- Living people
- Jewish American soccer players
- American men's soccer players
- American expatriate men's soccer players
- Philadelphia Union players
- TSG 1899 Hoffenheim players
- Penn FC players
- Colorado Rapids players
- Charlotte Independence players
- Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC players
- Men's association football midfielders
- American expatriate men's soccer players in Germany
- Major League Soccer players
- USL Championship players
- United States men's youth international soccer players
- United States men's under-20 international soccer players
- United States men's under-23 international soccer players
- Fox School of Business and Management alumni
- People from Upper Dublin Township, Pennsylvania
- Soccer players from Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
- Homegrown Players (MLS)
- Goldman Sachs people
- 21st-century American Jews
- 21st-century American sportsmen