Anthony Fontana

Anthony Fontana (born October 14, 1999) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for Eredivisie side PEC Zwolle.

Not to be confused with Anthony Fantano.

Anthony Fontana
Fontana with Philadelphia Union in 2019
Personal information
Date of birth (1999-10-14) October 14, 1999
Place of birth Newark, Delaware, U.S.
Height 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 PEC Zwolle
Number 17
Youth career
2013–2016 Philadelphia Union
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2016–2019 Bethlehem Steel 48 (1)
2018–2021 Philadelphia Union 42 (8)
2022–2023 Ascoli 2 (0)
2023– PEC Zwolle 10 (0)
International career
2018 United States U20 2 (4)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 24 June 2023

Youth soccer

Fontana began his recreational youth league development with Kirkwood Soccer Club in New Castle, Delaware at age 4.[1] By age 10, Fontana had his first participation with the Philadelphia Union Academy and became a full-time participant in 2014.[1]

Professional career

Bethlehem Steel

Fontana developed at the Philadelphia Union Academy and made his way through to Bethlehem Steel FC, the Philadelphia Union's second team as an academy player. He made his professional debut against FC Cincinnati in July 2016 at 16 years of age.[2] He would go on to make 8 appearances for Steel during their inaugural season.

The next season, Fontana saw an additional 11 appearances for Steel FC, and even earned an appearance for the Union during their summer friendly against Swansea City.[3]

Philadelphia Union

On July 17, 2017, Fontana signed a homegrown player contract with Philadelphia Union. Fontana became an active Union player on January 1, 2018.[4]

On March 3, 2018, Fontana made his debut for Philadelphia Union, starting in the season opener against New England Revolution. He scored the opening goal of the season against the Revolution which was ultimately the game-winner.[5] Fontana became the first Union homegrown player to score a brace when he came into the match as a substitute against the New England Revolution in September 2020.[6][7] Fontana became a standout in the substitution role and finishing the 2020 season scoring six goals in 523 minutes of play, contributing the Union's first major trophy in the 2020 Supporters' Shield.[8][9]

In the Union's debut season in the CONCACAF Champions League, Fontana became the first homegrown player to score a Champions League goal in a 4–0 home victory over Deportivo Saprissa, advancing to the quarterfinals.[10] Despite being a starter at the beginning of the 2021 season, Fontana missed nearly two months due to concussion protocol. Fontana's contract concluded at the end of the 2021 season finishing with 51 appearances and 12 goals for the Union.[11]

Ascoli

In February 2022, Fontana officially signed for Serie B club, Ascoli.[12] On January 31, 2023, Fontana's contract with Ascoli was terminated by mutual consent.[13]

PEC Zwolle

On March 8, 2023, Fontana signed with Eerste Divisie side PEC Zwolle on a deal until the end of the season.[14]

International

Fontana was born in the United States and is of Italian descent.[15] Fontana has appeared in the 2018 CONCACAF U-20 Championship representing United States.

Career statistics

Club
As of match played February 12, 2022[16]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Bethlehem Steel FC 2016 USL Championship 80———80
2017 110———110
Bethlehem Steel FC (loan) 2018 151——1[lower-alpha 1]0161
Philadelphia Union II (loan) 2019 140———140
Total 481——10491
Philadelphia Union 2018 Major League Soccer 5111——62
2019 8111——92
2020 176——2[lower-alpha 2][lower-alpha 3]0196
2021 120—4[lower-alpha 4]21[lower-alpha 3]0172
Total 4282242305112
Ascoli 2021–22 Serie B 10———10
Career total 91922424010113
  1. Appearance in USL Cup Playoffs
  2. Appearances in the MLS is Back Tournament
  3. Appearances in the MLS Cup Playoffs
  4. Appearances in the CONCACAF Champions League

Honors

Philadelphia Union

References
  1. Kevin Tresolini (August 3, 2017). "Delaware prodigy Fontana signs contract with Philadelphia Union". Delaware Online. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  2. "Steel FC's Unbeaten Road Streak Snapped, Fall to FC Cincinnati". Bethlehem Steel FC. July 2, 2016. Archived from the original on March 5, 2018. Retrieved December 10, 2016.
  3. "Anthony Fontana | Philadelphia Union Profile". Philadelphia Union. Retrieved March 4, 2018.
  4. "Philadelphia Union Sign Midfielder Anthony Fontana As A Homegrown Player". philadelphiaunion.com. MLS. July 17, 2017. Archived from the original on October 4, 2017. Retrieved January 31, 2018.
  5. Tresolini, Kevin (March 3, 2018). "Newark's Fontana starts, scores for Union in Major League Soccer debut". The News Journal. Delaware Online. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
  6. Mood, Abbie (September 12, 2020). "Philadelphia Union 2, New England Revolution 1". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  7. Tannenwald, Jonathan (September 13, 2020). "Anthony Fontana did more than just score in Union's win over New England". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  8. Henry Jr., Larry (April 6, 2021). "MLS Preview Spotlight: Fontana ready to build on breakout 2020 with Union". sbisoccer.com. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
  9. Tom Bogert (November 8, 2020). "How the Philadelphia Union built a Supporters' Shield-contending team in two years". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
  10. Lobasso, Zach (April 15, 2021). "Philadelphia Union Dominate Saprissa & Advance to Champions League Quarterfinals". phillysportsnetwork.com. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
  11. Tannenwald, Jonathan (February 11, 2022). "Former Union midfielder Anthony Fontana joins Italy's Ascoli, and the Union will profit from it". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
  12. "Ascoli, ecco l'ultimo acquisto Anthony Fontana". calcioascoli.it (in Italian). February 4, 2022. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
  13. "#CALCIOMERCATO: RISOLUZIONE PER FONTANA" (in Italian). Ascoli Calcio 1898 F.C. January 31, 2023. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  14. "PEC Zwolle contracteert Anthony Fontana". PEC Zwolle.
  15. Lewis, Michael (August 8, 2018). "Philly's Next Biggest Star Anthony Fontana Understands The Game Behind The Game". EDP Soccer. Archived from the original on November 30, 2020. Retrieved July 10, 2019.
  16. Anthony Fontana at Soccerway. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
  17. "Philadelphia Union win 2020 MLS Supporters' Shield on regular season's final day". Major League Soccer. November 8, 2020. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
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