Zachary Zandi (born July 18, 1996) is an American soccer player who plays as a midfielder for Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC in the USL Championship.[1]
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Zachary Zandi | ||
| Date of birth | (1996-07-18) July 18, 1996 (age 26) | ||
| Place of birth | West Chester, Pennsylvania, United States | ||
| Height | 167 cm (5 ft 6 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| Club information | |||
Current team | Colorado Springs Switchbacks | ||
| Number | 8 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| West Chester United | |||
| Penn Fusion SA | |||
| Philadelphia Union | |||
| College career | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2015–2018 | Villanova Wildcats | 63 | (14) |
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2016–2018 | Reading United AC | 24 | (2) |
| 2019–2020 | Philadelphia Union II | 34 | (3) |
| 2021– | Colorado Springs Switchbacks | 32 | (6) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of October 20, 2022 | |||
Zandi played youth soccer for West Chester United and Penn Fusion Soccer Academy before joining the Philadelphia Union Academy, and attended Henderson High School.[2][3] Zandi was a part of Philadelphia Union's under-17 team that won the 2012 Generation Adidas Cup.[4]
Zandi played college soccer for Villanova University, where in four seasons he made 63 appearances, scored 14 goals and provided 10 assists, leading the team with seven goals scored in 2018 and receiving Big East honors throughout his collegiate career.[2] In 2016, Zandi notably helped the Wildcats reach their first NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Tournament in program history.[5]
Zandi joined Reading United AC in 2016 while in college where he made 24 appearances, scored two goals and provided five assists in three seasons, while also making three appearances in the U.S. Open Cup.[2]
Zandi was acquired by Philadelphia Union II on January 8, 2019 and made his club debut for the then Bethlehem Steel in their season opener on March 10, 2019, scoring a goal in his debut and earning USL Championship Team-of-the-Week honors for his performance.[2]
On December 21, 2020, Zandi joined the Colorado Springs Switchbacks ahead of the 2021 USL Championship season.[6] He scored his first goal for the club on July 17, 2021 in a league match against San Antonio FC.[7] The following season, Zandi scored five goals during the regular season and provided an assist in the conference semifinal to help lead the Switchbacks to their first-ever conference final.[8]
Zandi was a pool player for the US Soccer national training center since 2010.[4]
Zandi has been praised for his attacking movement, combinations, and ability to create scoring chances.[3]
His sister, Sydney Zandi, played college soccer for the University of Virginia and has played for the United States women's national under-17, under-18 and under-19 soccer teams, including representing the United States at the 2016 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup.[4][9] His father Karl Zandi played college soccer for West Chester University and his uncle Peter played college soccer for the University of Pennsylvania.[3]
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC – current squad | |
|---|---|