Two Philadelphia Union Academy players, Abdoulaye Diop and Sammy Gallego, have been selected for the 2026 MLS NEXT All-Star Game presented by Allstate.
The selections give the Union Academy multiple representatives at the event for the fourth time. Diop and Gallego follow a line of recent Union picks that includes Malik Jakupovic in 2025, Cavan Sullivan in 2024, Neil Pierre in 2023, and Andrew Rick in 2022.
Diop logged 40 academy appearances this past season, contributing six goals, two assists, and five secondary assists. He was part of the Union U-15 squad that won last year’s MLS NEXT Cup, and in May he was named to both the Generation adidas Cup Rising XI and the U-16 Best XI for the tournament. He also made his MLS NEXT Pro debut with Philadelphia Union II on May 13 against New England Revolution II.
Gallego turned in his own productive campaign, recording nine goals, 10 assists, and nine secondary assists across 37 academy appearances. He was likewise a key part of that MLS NEXT Cup-winning U-15 group, where he took home Finals MVP honors.
The two Union players are among 44 selected for the East versus West format, which brings together players from across MLS NEXT. Eligibility for the game was limited to players born between 2009 and 2011 who competed in the MLS NEXT regular season or in one of the league’s premier events, including MLS NEXT Fest, MLS NEXT Flex, the Generation adidas Cup, or the MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs.
