# Zach Zandi

Zachary Zandi (born July 18, 1996) is an American soccer player who plays as a midfielder for the Colorado Springs Switchbacks 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. Zandi was a part of Philadelphia Union's under-17 team that won the 2012 Generation Adidas Cup.

## 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. In 2016, Zandi notably helped the Wildcats reach their first NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Tournament in program history.

## 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.

### 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.

### Colorado Springs Switchbacks

On December 21, 2020, Zandi joined the Colorado Springs Switchbacks ahead of the 2021 USL Championship season. He scored his first goal for the club on July 17, 2021, in a league match against San Antonio FC. 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. 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. 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. He was named to the Team of the Week after scoring the winning goal and having 100% pass accuracy against Monterey Bay on October 19, 2024. On November 10, 2024, Zandi scored his first league brace in a 2–1 extra-time win against Orange County SC during the conference semifinal to help lead the Switchbacks to the conference final, bringing his tally to 6 goals and 4 assists for the season. Zandi subsequently helped lead the Switchbacks to their first silverware in club history, securing the Western Conference title on November 16, 2024, and earning the club's first-ever appearance in the USL Championship final. On November 23, 2024, Zandi and the Switchbacks won the club's first USL Championship title with a 3–0 win in the final. At the end of the season, Zandi was named as a finalist for the league's Comeback Player of the Year award.

## International career
### Youth

Zandi was a pool player for the US Soccer national training center since 2010.

## Style of play

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

## Personal life

His sister, Sydney Zandi, played college soccer for the University of Virginia and international soccer 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, as well as being named in the inaugural pre-season squad of NWSL club team San Diego Wave in 2022. His father Karl Zandi played college soccer for West Chester University and his uncle Peter played college soccer for the University of Pennsylvania.

## Career statistics
### Club

    As of November 10, 2024

## Honors

Colorado Springs Switchbacks
* Western Conference (USL Championship): 2024
* USL Championship: 2024
Individual
* 2015 Big East All-Freshman Team
* 2016 Big East All-Academic Team
* 2016 Big East Honor Roll
* 2017 Philadelphia Soccer Six Player of the Year
* 2018 All-Big East Second Team