Field Level Media
26 Nov 2025, 21:25 GMT+10
(Photo credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images)
The Philadelphia Union exercised their contract option Wednesday for Olwethu Makhanya, securing the defender through the 2027 MLS season.
The 21-year-old South African center back appeared in 29 regular-season matches (23 starts) and scored one goal for the 2025 Supporters' Shield winners. He made three starts in the MLS Cup playoffs.
'Olwethu had a standout year in his first full MLS season. Proving himself to be an important piece of our backline, he has demonstrated maturity, consistency, and leadership at just 21 years old,' head coach Bradley Carnell said. 'His rapid development is a clear indication of how high his ceiling can be, and we believe he will continue to develop and make a significant impact going forward with the club.'
Makhanya led Philadelphia with 45 clearances, won 64.3% of his aerial duels and helped the defense record 14 clean sheets. His goal was a game-winner against CF Montreal on July 16.
--Field Level Media
Get a daily dose of Pittsburgh Star news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Pittsburgh Star.
More InformationWASHINGTON, D.C./ATLANTA: Less than a week after President Donald Trump publicly criticized her, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene announced...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to end its months-long deployment of National Guard troops in...
(Photo credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images) The Philadelphia Union exercised their contract option Wednesday for Olwethu Makhanya, securing...
(Photo credit: Kevin Ng-Imagn Images) A team can't score if it doesn't get the puck into the net. Sounds simple, right? But it's...
(Photo credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images) Luka Doncic scored 24 of his 43 points in the first quarter and finished with 13 assists...
(Photo credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images) Anthony Black scored a career-high 31 points to highlight the Orlando Magic's 144-103...
HONG KONG: China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi on November 23 called it shocking that Japan's prime minister publicly sent what he described...
PARIS, France: France is taking action against Elon Musk's AI chatbot Grok after it generated French posts that questioned the use...
WASHINGTON, D.C./ATLANTA: Less than a week after President Donald Trump publicly criticized her, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene announced...
LOS ANGELES, California: A vintage blue Volkswagen bus that became a symbol of survival after surviving a California wildfire has made...
GENEVA, Switzerland (Big News Network/ANI): - U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio voiced confidence after what he described as a constructive...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: President Donald Trump escalated his criticism of ABC and late-night host Jimmy Kimmel this week, posting...
