Matthew Real
American soccer player (born 1999)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Matthew Joseph Real (born July 10, 1999) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a left-back for Hartford Athletic in the USL Championship.[3]
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Real with Bethlehem Steel in 2018 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Matthew Joseph Real[1] | ||
| Date of birth | July 10, 1999 | ||
| Place of birth | Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, United States | ||
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[2] | ||
| Position | Left-back | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Hartford Athletic | ||
| Number | 3 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2013–2016 | Philadelphia Union | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2016–2019 | Bethlehem Steel | 57 | (2) |
| 2018–2024 | Philadelphia Union | 52 | (2) |
| 2022–2024 | Philadelphia Union II | 10 | (4) |
| 2024 | → Colorado Springs Switchbacks (loan) | 26 | (1) |
| 2025 | Colorado Springs Switchbacks | 22 | (1) |
| 2026– | Hartford Athletic | 8 | (0) |
| International career | |||
| 2017 | United States U18 | 8 | (0) |
| 2018–2019 | United States U20 | 11 | (0) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of July 12, 2026 | |||
Club career
Bethlehem Steel FC
Real signed an amateur deal to play with United Soccer League side Bethlehem Steel FC for their 2016 season. He had committed to play college soccer at Wake Forest University,[4] before opting to sign a professional contract with Bethlehem Steel FC on January 17, 2017.[5]
Philadelphia Union
Real signed a homegrown contract with Bethlehem Steel's MLS parent club Philadelphia Union on January 18, 2018.[6] Real made his MLS debut in the Union's 3–0 loss to the Colorado Rapids on March 31, 2018. Putting forth a solid 75-minute performance, saving a goal on the line to keep the Rapids scoreless heading into the half. In September 2020, Real scored his first goal for the Union as a substitute in a 3–0 victory over New York Red Bulls.[7]
Colorado Springs Switchbacks
In April 2024, Real joined USL Championship club Colorado Springs Switchbacks on loan for the 2024 season.[8]
Real signed with the Switchbacks on a permanent deal in January 2025.[9]
Hartford Athletic
He transferred to Hartford Athletic in December 2025.[10]
Personal life
Real was born in the United States to a Brazilian father and an Italian American mother.[11]
Career statistics
- As of match played November 21, 2021[12]
| Club | Season | League | National cup | Continental | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Bethlehem Steel | 2016 | USL Championship | 2 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||
| 2017 | 18 | 1 | — | — | 1[a] | 0 | 19 | 1 | ||||
| 2018 | 21 | 1 | — | — | 1[a] | 0 | 22 | 1 | ||||
| 2019 | 18 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 18 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 59 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 61 | 2 | ||
| Philadelphia Union | 2018 | Major League Soccer | 3 | 0 | 1[b] | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |
| 2019 | 3 | 0 | 1[b] | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |||
| 2020 | 15 | 1 | — | — | 1[c] | 0 | 16 | 1 | ||||
| 2021 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3[d] | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 | ||
| Total | 29 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 35 | 1 | ||
| Career total | 88 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 96 | 3 | ||
- Appearances in USL Cup Playoffs
- Appearances in U.S. Open Cup
- Appearances in MLS is Back Tournament
- Appearances in CONCACAF Champions League
Honors
Philadelphia Union
United States U20
