Auston Trusty’s Journey: From Philadelphia Roots to Celtic Glory and the USMNT Spotlight
From Homegrown Talent to European Contender
Auston Trusty, once a promising youth product of the Philadelphia Union academy, has evolved into a key defender on one of Europe’s most dominant clubs—Celtic FC in Scotland. His journey from MLS to Champions League competition is a testament to perseverance, skill development, and an unshakable work ethic.
In the 2024/25 season, Trusty played a pivotal role for Celtic, helping the club secure both the Scottish League Cup and the Scottish Premiership title. His performances earned him 37 appearances across all competitions, including nine starts in ten European matches, where he tested himself against the best on the continent.
Philadelphia Foundations
Born in Media, Pennsylvania, Trusty began his professional career with the Philadelphia Union, signing their fifth-ever Homegrown Player contract in 2016. He initially honed his skills with Bethlehem Steel, the Union’s USL affiliate, before breaking into the first team in 2018.
Trusty made an immediate impact—starting every match from his debut until April 2019, totaling 3,676 consecutive minutes. His consistent performances made him one of the most reliable defenders in the league during that period. He also became the first Union player to score in a FIFA World Cup tournament, netting a goal in the 2017 U-20 World Cup.
Despite a strong start, Trusty eventually fell down the pecking order and was traded to the Colorado Rapids for General and Targeted Allocation Money (GAM/TAM) in 2019.
Rise in Colorado and Move to Europe
Trusty’s first year in Colorado was challenging, featuring only five starts in 18 matches. However, 2021 proved to be a breakout campaign—Trusty led the team in tackles, interceptions, minutes, and appearances, helping the Rapids finish atop the Western Conference standings.
His performance caught the eye of scouts overseas, and in early 2022, Arsenal FC signed him for a reported €1.8 million. The deal included a loan back to Colorado to finish the MLS season.
Championship to Premier League and Back Again
Although Trusty didn’t suit up for Arsenal’s first team, he shined on loan at Birmingham City in the English Championship. He made 43 appearances, scored four goals, and was named the club’s Player of the Season.
In August 2023, his momentum earned him a move to Sheffield United for €5.8 million. Unfortunately, the Premier League campaign was disastrous—Sheffield finished last, conceding a record 104 goals with only one clean sheet.
Despite the team’s struggles, Trusty’s individual performances were enough to attract interest. He moved to Celtic FC for €7.1 million in 2024, a step up in both profile and competition.
Celtic: Competing for Trophies and Playing in Europe
Celtic, one of Scotland’s two powerhouse clubs alongside Rangers, has dominated the domestic scene for decades. The move has given Trusty the chance to regularly play in front of 60,000 passionate fans at Celtic Park and participate in the UEFA Champions League.
In European competition this season, Trusty played against elite clubs like Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, and Atalanta, gaining invaluable experience. His defensive contributions included helping Celtic keep a clean sheet against the 2023 Europa League winners, Atalanta.
According to Whoscored, Celtic average 75% possession in league matches, and Trusty’s ball-playing ability has flourished. He averages 105 passes per game at a 94% accuracy rate, per Fotmob—attributes that bode well for international play.
USMNT Outlook: A Future Anchor?
Trusty earned his first USMNT cap in March 2023 and has remained in the conversation ever since. Though he missed the March 2025 FIFA international window due to injury, he remains a top contender for a spot in Gregg Berhalter’s CONCACAF Gold Cup squad this summer.
With Tim Ream nearing retirement and the U.S. team seeking a new left-footed center back, Trusty is poised to step into a major role. His physical presence, calmness under pressure, and improving distribution make him a logical successor.
In a recent interview with Goal, Trusty reaffirmed his ambitions:
“You just want to be on the field wearing the U.S. crest, representing your country. That’s always been a huge motivation for me.”
With the 2026 World Cup on home soil approaching, his time to shine might come sooner than expected.
Full Circle: The Player Philadelphia Believed In
Back in 2015, then-coaches Paul Norris and Jeff Cook praised Trusty’s attitude and self-belief. Nearly a decade later, those qualities have propelled him from MLS prospects to European stages.
From Philadelphia’s youth ranks to Celtic’s backline, and with the stars aligning for an extended role with the USMNT, Auston Trusty’s journey is one of American soccer’s most inspiring success stories.
Whether battling Bayern or chasing World Cup dreams, one thing is certain—Philadelphia will be watching.
