Zach Zandi

Zach Zandi
Personal information
Full name	Zachary Zandi
Date of birth	July 18, 1996 (age 28)
Place of birth	West Chester, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Height	1.67 m (5 ft 6 in)
Position(s)	Midfielder
Team information
Current team	Colorado Springs Switchbacks
Number	10
Youth career
	West Chester United
	Penn Fusion SA
	Philadelphia Union
College career
Years	Team
2015–2018	Villanova Wildcats
Senior career*
Years	Team
2016–2018	Reading United AC
2019–2020	Philadelphia Union II
2021–	Colorado Springs Switchbacks
	*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of April 3, 2024

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.

Early life

Zandi played youth soccer for West Chester United and Penn Fusion Soccer Academy before joining the Philadelphia Union Academy, and attended Henderson High School.^[1]^[2] Zandi was a part of Philadelphia Union's under-17 team that won the 2012 Generation Adidas Cup.^[3]

College career

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.^[1] In 2016, Zandi notably helped the Wildcats reach their first NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Tournament in program history.^[4]

Club career

Early career

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.^[1]

Philadelphia Union II

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.^[1]

Colorado Springs Switchbacks

On December 21, 2020, Zandi joined the Colorado Springs Switchbacks ahead of the 2021 USL Championship season.^[5] He scored his first goal for the club on July 17, 2021, in a league match against San Antonio FC.^[6] 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.^[7] Zandi received the number 10 jersey ahead of the 2023 season and scored a goal in their home opener on March 18, 2023, against Hartford Athletic.^[8] Zandi scored his first goal of the 2024 season on July 4, 2024, scoring a stoppage time winner in a 1–0 win against FC Tulsa.^[9]

International career

Youth

Zandi was a pool player for the US Soccer national training center since 2010.^[3]

Style of play

Zandi has been praised for his attacking movement, combinations, and ability to create scoring chances.^[2]

Personal life

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.^[3]^[10] His father Karl Zandi played college soccer for West Chester University and his uncle Peter played college soccer for the University of Pennsylvania.^[2]