Philip Quinton Bio
Philip Kane Quinton (born November 16, 1999) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a defender for Real Salt Lake in Major League Soccer. A former MLS SuperDraft selection, Quinton came through the University of Notre Dame before turning professional with the Columbus organization. Standing at 6 feet 5 inches, he is recognized for his height and composure along the back line.
After beginning his senior career in MLS NEXT Pro with Columbus Crew 2, Quinton earned an MLS contract with Columbus Crew, where he registered his first professional goal in 2023. He was later traded to Real Salt Lake in April 2024, where he continues to feature as a center back.
Early Life and Background
Philip Kane Quinton was born on November 16, 1999, in Columbus, Ohio, but grew up in Portland, Oregon. He attended Grant High School, where he served as team captain alongside co-captain Eli Roberts. During his senior year, Quinton helped lead the Generals to the state semifinals and earned First-Team All-Conference and Second-Team All-State accolades while also being named a letterwinner.
Alongside his high school commitments, Quinton developed through the FC Portland academy at the club level. He helped FC Portland capture the State Cup in 2013, finish as State Cup finalists in 2012 and 2014, and reach the State Cup semifinals in 2016 and 2017. Those experiences in Oregon youth soccer shaped his understanding of positional play and prepared him for the college ranks.
Path to Soccer
Coming out of high school, Quinton was regarded as a promising defensive prospect. In 2018, he committed to playing college soccer at the University of Notre Dame, choosing the Fighting Irish over Dartmouth College. The decision to join one of the country’s most storied college soccer programs reflected his ambitions to compete at the highest amateur level in the United States.
Across four seasons at Notre Dame, Quinton made 58 appearances, scoring two goals and adding two assists. His college résumé included four ACC Honor Roll selections, a CoSIDA Second Team Academic All-American award, a 2021 ACC All-Tournament Team selection, and a 2021 All-ACC Third Team selection. During his time in South Bend, he also gained a brief taste of senior football by making one appearance for Portland Timbers U23s in USL League Two in 2021.
Philip Quinton Career
Early Career (2021–2022)
Quinton’s senior career began in earnest when he was selected 25th overall in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft by Columbus Crew. Columbus acquired the pick from Real Salt Lake in exchange for $50,000 of General Allocation Money, signaling their intent to add the young center back to their development pipeline. On March 17, 2022, Quinton signed a professional deal with Columbus Crew 2 ahead of the team’s inaugural MLS NEXT Pro campaign.
Later that spring, on April 19, 2022, Quinton signed a short-term deal with the Columbus Crew first team ahead of their Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup fixture against Detroit City, where he appeared on the bench. Following the 2022 season, he was released by Columbus, briefly putting his professional trajectory on hold.
Columbus Crew Breakthrough (2023–2024)
Quinton’s fortunes changed in February 2023, when he re-signed with Columbus Crew on an MLS contract. The reunion gave him a fresh opportunity to establish himself within the senior squad and compete for minutes alongside established MLS defenders. He quickly rewarded the club’s faith by scoring his first professional goal on March 25, 2023, in a 6–1 victory over Atlanta United.
That breakthrough season allowed Quinton to demonstrate his aerial ability and defensive awareness in Major League Soccer. His continued progress at Columbus set the stage for a significant move in 2024, when he sought a larger role within the league.
Real Salt Lake Era (2024–Present)
On April 19, 2024, Quinton was traded to Real Salt Lake in exchange for a deal worth up to $200,000 in General Allocation Money. The transfer reunited him with the same club that originally held the draft pick used to select him, giving him the chance to play regular minutes at the MLS level. He slotted into the center of the Real Salt Lake defense, where his height and reading of the game became valuable assets.
Since arriving in Utah, Quinton has continued to develop his professional profile, working with the club’s coaching staff to refine his distribution and positioning. His progression at Real Salt Lake represents the next chapter of a career that began on the fields of Portland, Oregon.
Playing Style and Strengths
At 6 feet 5 inches tall, Quinton’s primary strengths are his aerial presence and ability to win duels in both penalty areas. Coaches have valued his composure in possession and his willingness to step into tackles, traits that suit the physical demands of MLS defending. His time within the Columbus development system also helped him build a more measured passing game, allowing him to contribute to build-up play from the back.
Notable Events and Milestones
Quinton’s first professional goal, scored on March 25, 2023, against Atlanta United, stands as one of the defining early moments of his MLS career. Being selected 25th overall in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft and later earning an MLS contract with Columbus Crew also mark significant milestones. His April 2024 trade to Real Salt Lake further cemented his place as an established professional.
Philip Quinton Career Wins
As a defender, Quinton’s primary contributions are measured in defensive performances and team results rather than personal silverware at the senior level. His youth honors with FC Portland included a 2013 State Cup championship, and he reached State Cup finals and semifinals in subsequent seasons. At the professional level, his standout moments so far include his first MLS goal and his role in Columbus Crew’s cup campaign against Detroit City.
Columbus Crew Highlights
During his time with Columbus Crew 2 and Columbus Crew, Quinton helped lay the foundations of his professional career in MLS and MLS NEXT Pro. He made his bench appearance in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup fixture against Detroit City in April 2022, then returned to score his first senior goal against Atlanta United in March 2023. Those appearances marked his arrival as a regular MLS contributor.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his club achievements, Quinton earned multiple accolades at the University of Notre Dame, including four ACC Honor Roll selections and a CoSIDA Second Team Academic All-American honor. He was also named to the 2021 ACC All-Tournament Team and the 2021 All-ACC Third Team, reinforcing his reputation as a reliable and intelligent defender during his college career.
Philip Quinton Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Philip Kane Quinton comes from a family with a strong athletic pedigree. His older brother, Pieter Quinton, is an accomplished Olympic rower who represented the United States at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Pieter won a bronze medal competing in the Men’s Eight for Team USA, highlighting the family’s tradition of competitive sport at the highest level.
Personal Life
Quinton grew up in Portland, Oregon, where his early soccer development took place through Grant High School and the FC Portland academy. He maintains an active presence on social media and continues to pursue his professional soccer career in Major League Soccer with Real Salt Lake.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 Major League Soccer season, Quinton is firmly embedded in the Real Salt Lake squad following his April 2024 trade from Columbus Crew. The club acquired him with the intention of strengthening their center back options, and his performances across the latter half of 2024 helped establish him within the rotation. With a full preseason in Utah, he is expected to take on an expanded role.
Real Salt Lake’s 2025 outlook relies on defensive solidity, and Quinton’s aerial dominance and growing experience provide a foundation for the back line. Working alongside the club’s coaching staff, he will look to build on his first professional goal and continue developing his distribution from the back. The season offers him the chance to cement himself as a long-term starter at the MLS level.
Beyond club play, Quinton remains focused on consistency and growth, aiming to contribute to Real Salt Lake’s push for a return to the MLS Cup Playoffs. His combination of size, tactical awareness, and pedigree within the Columbus development system positions him well for a productive 2025 campaign.