Photo courtesy of Philadelphia Union
CHESTER, Pa. (May 9, 2025) – Philadelphia Union announced today that they have signed midfielder Ben Bender through the end of the 2025 season. A former Union Academy player, and 2022 MLS SuperDraft first overall pick, Bender returns to Philadelphia and will be added to the Union’s active roster immediately.
“We’ve been following Ben’s development since he joined the Union Academy in 2015 and have watched him become a highly productive young player,” said Ernst Tanner, Philadelphia Union Sporting Director. “He had a standout inaugural professional season and has the ability to be a great finisher. He adds a goal-scoring threat to our midfield, and we look forward to seeing his contributions.”
A native of Baltimore, Maryland, Bender played collegiate soccer at the University of Maryland, where he made an immediate impact as a freshman. In 2021, he was a First Team All-American and unanimous Big Ten Midfielder of the Year. He signed a Generation adidas contract ahead of the 2022 MLS SuperDraft, allowing early entry into the league, and was selected first overall by Charlotte FC. He became the third player in Maryland program history to be taken first overall and the first since Maurice Edu in 2007.
Bender went on to make 51 MLS appearances for Charlotte, recording seven goals and one assist. He also spent time on loan with Crown Legacy FC in 2023 and the Tampa Bay Rowdies in 2024.
Bender began his youth career with Fewster FC (2009-2015) before joining the Philadelphia Union Academy for the 2015-16 season. He then spent four years with Baltimore Armour prior to his collegiate career at Maryland.
Doesn’t seem like a great signing. He was waved by Charlotte and doesn’t seem to really fill a position of need given that the Union went over 60 minutes Wednesday night playing midfielders at outside back.
Or he could be the next Julian Carranza like pick up. Promising young talent struggles a MLS club and revives career in Chester. Certainly not the pedigree of Carranza but maybe worth a flyer
Being a Maryland Alum, I remember watching Ben in college and following him a little in Charlotte as well. I recall high energy, aggressiveness, and an ability to press cover and score. Hmmm….not a sexy signing but one that could fit in well.
I’m fine with this move. Seems low cost, low risk. Bring him him for the rest of the season, see what he’s got, and decide whether or not to offer him a longer term deal.
Appears to be 24 years old. Not that the article tells you.
Seems like a low risk low ceiling type signing, but sometimes that’s how you end up with reliable depth pieces. Not expecting much, but if Bender ends up being a guy Carnell can call on for mop up minutes and emergency starts then that’s great. Otherwise, doubt the club spent much more than a minimum salary to check out Ben Bender.
Hope it goes well, but if it doesn’t that’s also fine.
Great signing, very low risk. He is a former MLS starter. He’s a year younger than Rafanello, and in my opinion, much much better than JR. Bender should pick up any minutes formerly allocated to Rafanello.
Something that is missed here in why he was playing in USL last year is he was still recovering from a meniscus tear and knee surgery from late 2023-2024, and was getting rehab minutes. I guess he lost favor in Charlotte after that and was waived. Agree with what most others are saying, this is a low risk signing that could pay off if he’s fully healthy now, and doesn’t cost much if it doesn’t pan out.