Zach Zandi

Zachary Zandi (born July 18, 1996) is an American soccer player who plays as a midfielder for Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC in the USL Championship.[1]

Zach Zandi
Personal information
Full name Zachary Zandi
Date of birth (1996-07-18) July 18, 1996
Place of birth West Chester, Pennsylvania, United States
Height 1.67 m (5 ft 6 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Colorado Springs Switchbacks
Number 10
Youth career
West Chester United
Penn Fusion SA
Philadelphia Union
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2015–2018 Villanova Wildcats 63 (14)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2016–2018 Reading United AC 24 (2)
2019–2020 Philadelphia Union II 34 (3)
2021– Colorado Springs Switchbacks 35 (7)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of October 21, 2023

Early life

Zandi played youth soccer for West Chester United and Penn Fusion Soccer Academy before joining the Philadelphia Union Academy, and attended Henderson High School.[2][3] Zandi was a part of Philadelphia Union's under-17 team that won the 2012 Generation Adidas Cup.[4]

College career

Zandi played college soccer for Villanova University, where in four seasons he made 63 appearances, scored 14 goals and provided 10 assists, leading the team with seven goals scored in 2018 and receiving Big East honors throughout his collegiate career.[2] In 2016, Zandi notably helped the Wildcats reach their first NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Tournament in program history.[5]

Club career

Early career

Zandi joined Reading United AC in 2016 while in college where he made 24 appearances, scored two goals and provided five assists in three seasons, while also making three appearances in the U.S. Open Cup.[2]

Philadelphia Union II

Zandi was acquired by Philadelphia Union II on January 8, 2019, and made his club debut for the then Bethlehem Steel in their season opener on March 10, 2019, scoring a goal in his debut and earning USL Championship Team-of-the-Week honors for his performance.[2]

Colorado Springs Switchbacks

On December 21, 2020, Zandi joined the Colorado Springs Switchbacks ahead of the 2021 USL Championship season.[6] He scored his first goal for the club on July 17, 2021, in a league match against San Antonio FC.[7] The following season, Zandi scored five goals during the regular season and provided an assist in the conference semifinal to help lead the Switchbacks to their first-ever conference final.[8] Zandi received the number 10 jersey ahead of the 2023 season and scored a goal in their home opener on March 18, 2023, against Hartford Athletic.[9]

International career

Youth

Zandi was a pool player for the US Soccer national training center since 2010.[4]

Style of play

Zandi has been praised for his attacking movement, combinations, and ability to create scoring chances.[3]

Personal life

His sister, Sydney Zandi, played college soccer for the University of Virginia and has played for the United States women's national under-17, under-18 and under-19 soccer teams, including representing the United States at the 2016 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup.[4][10] His father Karl Zandi played college soccer for West Chester University and his uncle Peter played college soccer for the University of Pennsylvania.[3]

Honors

Individual

References
  1. "USA – Z. Zandi – Profile with news, career statistics and history – Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved March 11, 2019.
  2. Union, Philadelphia. "Zach Zandi". Philadelphia Union.
  3. Ralph, Matthew (August 25, 2017). "'Basically brothers,' the Zandi cousins teammates at last at Villanova". Brotherly Game.
  4. "Zach Zandi - Men's Soccer". Villanova University Athletics.
  5. Tannenwald, Jonathan. "Villanova midfielder Zach Zandi signs with Bethlehem Steel". www.inquirer.com.
  6. @SwitchbacksFC (December 22, 2020). "Say hello 👋 to our newest attacking midfielder!@zachzandiMore Info ⤵️" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  7. "Matchday Report: San Antonio Snaps Streak in Colorado Springs". July 17, 2021.
  8. brent.briggeman@gazette.com, BRENT BRIGGEMAN. "Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC win again, continuing club's record playoff run". Colorado Springs Gazette.
  9. "Match Center | USLChampionship.com". www.uslchampionship.com.
  10. "HS: All-America Games have a family twist | High School Soccer News". TopDrawerSoccer.com.
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