On Tuesday, the Philadelphia Union announced that 18-year-old academy product Eddy Davis signed a professional contract, becoming the club's 28th Homegrown.
The deal comes on the heels of an outstanding Union II season -- in 2024, the young forward broke records with 13 regular season goals and became the first player in team history to earn MLS NEXT Pro Rising Star of the Month honors three times in a season.
Get to know the club's newest Homegrown and his Pathway to the Pros through his sit-down Q&A with Digital Club Reporter Sage Hurley.
How does it feel to be a Homegrown?
It's a dream come true. Philly's taken me in, and it's such a special place and such a special city to be in.
Let's go back to the very beginning. First, how did you get into soccer?
I grew up playing all different sports. My parents (Angela Manuel Davis and Jerome Davis) both ran track for Team USA in the Olympics.
I grew up playing basketball, soccer, and baseball -- pretty much everything. But I always stuck with soccer from about age four, and then around 12, I decided this is what I want to do. I moved across the country on my 15th birthday to play for the New York Red Bulls, and then after just a short season there, the Philadelphia Union gave me a call, and now I'm here.
You moved across the country from the West Coast to the East Coast at a very young age to pursue a sport. How did you know that you were willing to make that move to give yourself a shot?
I put a lot of work into it. I made a lot of sacrifices. Even from a young age, missing parties, missing hangouts to train. Also, having that trust in my family to allow me to even do that, that gave me all the faith I needed to know that this was the right move. My mom said 'I trust you' and I said ‘alright, let's do it then.’
You are a product of the Philadelphia Union Academy -- can you talk to me about your experience and your climb up the ranks from the academy, to Union II, and eventually, the first team?
During my U-17 year, I felt like I had a lot of high expectations on me, so I had some ups and downs. But when the winter hit, I started to finally hit my form, then the Union II season came around shortly after that. I wasn't getting much playing time at all – I think I played like four games, but I was stoll working hard and trusting the process. Then, this last season, I obviously had a pretty solid season for myself, but it just shows that I just trusted the process and I didn't listen to any outsiders. I was just focused on myself and kept running.
You put up some major numbers during this past MLS NEXT Pro season – what was it like for you to be earning league honors and breaking records throughout the year?
I mean, it was special, but I expected that for myself, honestly. I put in so much work in that offseason, and my goal was to get 15 goals. I ended up getting 14. But that's just the mindset that I had, that no one's gonna be able to stop me when I'm on the pitch. I was super happy throughout the season and super pleased.
You had many personal achievements in the MLS NEXT Pro Season, but as a team, Union II really flourished and made it to the final. What was your highlight throughout the entire year?
My personal highlight probably was winning the Eastern Conference Championship with those guys. I didn't think in the beginning of the season we're going to make it that far, just because you look at all the numbers and we're the youngest team, an average of like 18.1 years old, playing against all these older guys. But when it got to that moment, everything just clicked, and it was such a special moment. It was probably one of my favorite soccer moments so far in my career, honestly, winning that trophy and lifting it up with those guys.
You say you put in a ton of work in the offseason, what did that work look like for you?
Basically, right when we got off for our break, I think three days later, I started training. I was like, ‘I'm not about to take any time off. It's time to get started for this next season.’ Every single day I was doing something.
Your family flew across the country multiple times to come see you in action last year. What is it like to see your family, who’s home base is quite far away, come and be in Philadelphia Union's facilities and watch you achieve great things?
It means everything to me, having my family support. Scoring and then pointing at my mom in the stands – I could cry thinking about it right now, but it's so special to know that my family has my back, and they've been with me every single step of the way.
Now that you've made it to this level, you're at preseason training camp with the team, there's a lot of young guys here, and you guys have a really great connection. What has it been like to not only continue working together with guys that you've been playing with for the last couple years, but also integrate into the first team squad and get used to that high level play?
Yeah, it's a lot different than MLS NEXT Pro. I could see that in the first couple days, but I feel like I'm able to hang with the guys, and it's just super cool seeing the age difference. I'm 18, Cavan’s 15, and then some guys are 30. Ale is 37 – he has kids. I honestly love it. It's super cool to be a part of this.
I thought it would be a bit weirder, but every single player on the team is super cool, and they've been super encouraging and helping me try and figure this whole thing out with my first few weeks with the first team.
I noticed in the friendly against Slavia Prague that when you were on the pitch alongside some of the guys you played with in MLS NEXT Pro, there were some really good connections going on there. Do you think that familiarity helps with adjusting to the first team?
For sure. For example, Frankie Westfield, I already know what he's gonna do when he hits the ball, and he knows what I'm gonna do when he's on the ball. We just sort of click – same with Markus Anderson. It's cool to see the dynamic that we can bring when we're on the field together.
What do you think you bring to the table as a professional?
I'd say I bring a Philly spirit of relentless effort, always pressing, and then I score goals. That's what they pay me to do. So, that's what I'm gonna try and do day in and day out. And if I'm not, I'm gonna press hard, I'm gonna work hard for the team, and die for the badge.
You’re a pro athlete now, do you get any advice from your parents, who were pro athletes themselves?
They helped me realize that confidence doesn't come from everything I do on the field, but everything off the field. Just staying consistent in everything throughout my life, that'll start to bleed into the pitch. So, if I'm not doing well on the field, I have to look at my life off the field and get everything in check. I'd say that was the biggest thing that they've helped me with.
Do you have a goal going into the 2025 season as a first-teamer?
My same goal as last year – I want to score my first goal at Subaru Park and celebrate with the Sons of Ben. That's my goal for this 2025 season.
My message to the fans is, 'I'm grateful for you guys supporting me on my journey. The best is yet to come, and I'm super excited to see you guys on opening day.'
