COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC announced on Thursday it had acquired defender Matt Real on loan from the Philadelphia Union of Major League Soccer for the 2024 USL Championship season. The transaction is pending league and federation approval.

Real has competed for the Union since signing with the club as a Homegrown Player in 2018. Over that span he has made 50 regular season appearances in MLS, recording two goals and four assists in 1,735 minutes. In the 2020 season Real helped the Union earn the MLS Supporters’ Shield for the best regular season record in the league.

“I want to thank the Switchbacks organization for believing in my ability and trusting me to contribute to this team," said Real. "I'm looking forward to coming in and helping the team to the best of my ability in whatever way possible."

Prior to signing with the Union, Real had competed for reserve team the Philadelphia Union II, then a part of the USL Championship where he played alongside current Switchbacks captain Matt Mahoney and Switchbacks Head Coach James Chambers. During his time with the Union II, the 24-year-old recorded 59 appearances and 5,146 minutes of action and helped the side reach the USL Championship Playoffs in both the 2017 and 2018 seasons.  

“We are delighted to get Matt on loan from Philadelphia. He is an exciting defender and we have known him throughout his development into the pros,” said Switchbacks Sporting Director Stephen Hogan. “He's an aggressive player and his ability to understand the defensive aspect will help this group throughout the season. We are excited to welcome Matt and Seidy to Colorado.”

Real also competed at the international level for the United States at the U16, U18, and U20 levels, making 21 total appearances. The 24-year-old was part of the United States squad for the FIFA 2019 U-20 World Cup having helped the side win the 2018 Concacaf U-20 Championship the previous summer.