Ryan Hirschorn '27 Recruiting Profile

My name is Ryan Hirschorn and I am a 2009 MLSNext soccer player.  Starting in the Fall of 2023, I will be playing with the Philadelphia Union Academy U15 team.  Previously, I played at Players Development Academy in New Jersey. I played for PDA for 3 years. For the last two years, I had the opportunity to train and play with the 2008 MLS NEXT team.  

I also have been invited to train and play with the New York Red Bulls Academy the last two years through their Pathway to the Pros Program.  In January, I was invited to participate in US Club Soccer’s ID2 National Camp in Florida with 36 of the best 2009 soccer players in the East. I received a tremendous amount of positive feedback from my coaches at the camp and learned a lot about myself and the game of soccer from that experience.

My coaches with both the 2008 and 2009 PDA teams play me in a number of positions around the field.  Although I operate primarily as a center midfielder, I have been asked to play outside back, center back, wing and even striker when the team has needed me in a different spot to try to get a result.  

I train weekly at AP2t with a wonderful trainer, Matt Nigro. Coach Nigro has allowed me to train weekly with U19, U17 and U16 MLS NEXT players, National team players, D1 college players and current and former professional soccer players. I also compete against these older elite players in small sided games inside the facility.  The skills I have learned from these older players has been invaluable to my development as a player.  At AP2T I also do strength, conditioning and speed work with trainers in their weight room. 

Although I haven’t been able to compete recently, I am a national level cross country and track runner. In the winter of 2021, I placed 5th in the New Jersey State meet, 3rd at the Eastbay NorthEast regional meet and 36th in the USATF Junior Olympics National Championship in cross country.  My relay team also placed 2nd in States in the 4 x 400 on the track. 

Outside of soccer, I am a straight A student at Readington Middle School and I am excited to start High School in September at The Pingry School in Basking Ridge, New Jersey.  When I am not playing soccer I enjoy running track and cross country, playing rugby, playing video games with my younger brother and friends and cheering on my favorite professional sports teams.