Photo courtesy Philadelphia Union Communications

On December 21, 2022, the Philadelphia Union selected goalkeeper Holden Trent of High Point University, North Carolina, as their first-round draft pick. He was the first-ever Philadelphia draft pick since Ernst Tanner began leading the club in September 2018.

On February 16, 2023, Philadelphia signed Trent to a one-year MLS contract with options for 2024, 2025, and 2026. In 2023, he earned the supplemental reserve roster minimum salary, which was approximately $67,000. His option for 2024 was exercised, and due to his age, he received a raise to the supplemental senior roster minimum salary of approximately $89,000.

During his two seasons, Trent only played for the first team during preseason. He started once and came on as a substitute twice. The highlight of his appearances was in the second half of the 2024 preseason opener against Brazilian powerhouse Flamengo in St. Petersburg, FL, on January 21. His performance sparked the idea that he might become Andre Blake’s backup. However, by February 9, Trent had injured his thumb and never played in a first-team match again, only sitting on the bench.

In his nearly two years with the club, Trent dressed in official matches for both professional teams 32 times without playing. He started five matches for Union II; however, he only made one start in 2024, on June 26 against NY Red Bull II at home. Unfortunately, that match ended in a 4-1 loss with a short-handed defense in front of him. His last appearance on the bench was during the third-place game of the 2024 Leagues Cup in Chester on August 25.

His obituary in the Greensboro Record suggests he may have been home in North Carolina for the last few weeks of his life.

Sometimes, a cliché holds truth, even if it feels trite. These five pictures tell a compelling story thanks to social media soccer columnist Jose Nunez, @Jose Nunez91. Clockwise from the top left:

• Former Union striker Julian Carranza after scoring his first goal for Dutch side Feyenoord.
• Crown Legacy FC standing in silence at Subaru Park, honoring the Carolinian’s memory.
• Union II holding their teammate’s jersey before the Crown Legacy match.
• High Point University men’s soccer honoring their former goalkeeper in its 2-1 win over Presbyterian in Big South Conference men’s soccer on October 26.
• Subaru Park scoreboard during the pregame moment of remembrance.

This link takes you to his detailed obituary (click here), and this link takes you to the YouTube video of the preseason match with Flamengo last January (in Portuguese) in which Trent played the second half (click here).