Pierce Holbrook’s summer internship has paid dividends in the form of a full-time job.
Holbrook, the starting goalkeeper for the Navy men’s soccer team, spent some time training with the Philadelphia Union last July. It was a chance for Holbrook to get a feel for the caliber of Major League Soccer and for the Union staff to evaluate the talented netminder.
This week, it was announced that Holbrook has signed a two-year contract with the Philadelphia Union II of the MLS Next Pro league. The second team All-Patriot League goalie officially turned professional on June 1 and is now awaiting his first appearance in a game with Union II.
“This is a great opportunity for Pierce to continue his playing career while representing the Naval Academy and U.S. Marine Corps,” Navy coach Tim O’Donohue said. “The Union are one of the best organizations in MLS. I know Pierce is very thankful for this opportunity and will do very well with such a first-class club.”
Holbrook graduated from the Naval Academy and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps on May 23. He is eligible to pursue pro soccer immediately because of a new policy recently put in place by Congress.
Second 557 of the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2025 amended the statutes defining the agreement signed by midshipmen and cadets attending a service academy and their resulting military obligations.
These amendments authorize the secretaries of the military departments to transfer not more than three cadets or midshipmen from each service academy who obtain employment in professional sports.
This transfer to the selected reserves as commissioned officers enables those athletes to participate in professional sports while fulfilling their service obligation through efforts to recruit and retain members of the armed forces.
“I’m so grateful for this opportunity to play for the Philadelphia Union organization and take this next step in my journey,” Holbrook said. “I want to thank my family, teammates, coaches and everyone at the Naval Academy for their constant support. I’m excited to get started with the Union II while being able to serve as a Marine Corps officer.”
Holbrook has been assigned to the Marine Corps Selected Reserves and owes a 10-year service commitment. If his professional soccer career falls short of 10 years, Holbrook can apply for active duty.
Holbrook joins former Navy football player Rayuan Lane III as 2025 academy graduates taking advantage of the new policy. Lane was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the sixth round of the NFL Draft and recently signed a contract.
“I didn’t come to the Naval Academy looking to play pro soccer. I came to the academy to serve my country,” Holbrook said. “I’m very fortunate to get the best of both worlds — to be able to pursue my dream of playing pro soccer while still serving in the Marine Corps.”
Holbrook is a three-year starter for Navy and enjoyed a strong senior season, leading the Patriot League in total saves (75) for the third straight season. He also topped the conference in saves per game (4.69).
Holbrook completed his collegiate career with 208 saves in 54 games while posting a .756 save percentage and 1.24 goals-against average. His 18 career shutouts were the second-most by a Navy goalkeeper since 1983 and two shy of Brian Steckroth’s record of 20 set from 1998 to 2001. He and Steckroth are the only players in program history to register 60 saves or more in three straight seasons.
Holbrook trained with the Union for a second stint in December in what was essentially a tryout. Paul Killian, head of scouting for the Union, watched Holbrook play in-person several times this past season.
MLS Next Pro is the equivalent of Triple-A baseball with players routinely moving back-and-forth between the first and second team rosters.
Andre Blake, one of the best goalkeepers in Major League Soccer history, is the primary starter for the Philadelphia Union. However, the two-time MLS Goalkeeper of the Year is 34 years old and often misses parts of seasons due to commitments with the Jamaican national team.
Andrew Rick and Oliver Semmle are the other goalkeepers on the Union roster. However, both Rick and Semmle have played in a combined eight games with Union II this season.
Holbrook will be competing with those two and Mike Sheridan, who signed a Next Pro contract in 2024 after graduating from St. Joseph’s, for the starting job with Union II. JoJo Elliott, an amateur member of Philadelphia Union Academy club, is also in the mix.
O’Donohue has been told the 6-foot-4, 185-pound Holbrook will get plenty of playing time as the Union looks to develop its young goaltenders.
“Pierce has great size, excellent reactions and strong hands. He’s got all the physical tools and characteristics they’re looking for at that level,” O’Donohue said. “Pierce already operates like a real pro, training on his own all spring. He really loves the game and cannot get enough of playing soccer. That passion for the sport is what sets Pierce apart.”
Killian spent five seasons on the Navy men’s soccer staff, holding the title of associate head coach under O’Donohue. He recruited Holbrook — a Littleton, Colorado, native who played for the prestigious Real Colorado club program while in high school.
Killian called the signing of Holbrook a “full-circle moment” since he first scouted the goalie when he was 17 years old.
“It’s been fun to watch Pierce’s growth as a player at the Naval Academy for the past four years. He’s grown and improved substantially as both a goalkeeper and a person,” Killian said. “From a scouting perspective, one of the main items on our checklist is character and mentality, courage and bravery. There is no doubt a commissioned officer in the Marine Corps is a tremendous leader with great presence.”
Killian has watched Holbrook evolve from a technical standpoint in all areas that scouts evaluate goalies. He described Holbrook as a “strong shot-stopper whose aerial ability is among the best of any college keeper this past season.” An ability to make timely saves in important moments was on display throughout his career, Killian noted.
While Killian acknowledged there will be an acclimation period as Holbrook makes the jump from college to professional level, the Union staff believes Holbrook has the tools and ability to make that adaptation quickly.
“You can’t coach physical profile and athleticism. Pierce has a pro level frame, pro level size and pro level mobility. Those are elements you cannot develop,” Killian said. “I think Pierce’s mentality is that of a pro player. He’s hyperfocused, diligent and resilient. He’s hungry to grow and develop.
“I think Pierce has so much upside and training in a professional atmosphere day-in and day-out with the resources the club provides will enable him to reach that full potential.”
Holbrook believes the two training stints with the Philadelphia Union, working with both the first and second teams, were invaluable to adjusting to the speed of the pro game. He was impressed with the culture of the club and appreciates the approach Union leadership takes to developing players.
Holbrook wants to continue to work on footwork and consistency, but believes the biggest element of becoming a pro is the mentality involved. In that regard, spending four years at a service academy as a varsity athlete also managing the academic and military requirements has prepared him well.
“It’s a job now and you have to earn your way every single day. Obviously, this level is unbelievably higher than the college game. Everything you do has to be just about perfect,” he said. “There is not much room for error, so you need to be sharp and focused at all times.”
Holbrook’s father was a standout goalkeeper at Southern New Hampshire University and anchored the defense for the 1989 Division II national championship team. Trevor Holbrook coached his son with the Colorado Rush up until the under-11 age group.
“My dad has been my biggest mentor on and off the field. I definitely would not be where I am without his guidance,” Holbrook said.
Holbrook follows in the footsteps of former teammate Matt Nocita, a center back who was selected in the 2022 MLS Super Draft by the New York Red Bulls. Nocita spent two seasons with Red Bulls II before being cut. He is currently attempting to get commissioned as an officer.
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