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. Standing 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) tall, he wears jersey number 26 for the Utah-based MLS club. Quinton began his senior career in 2021 and has developed through Major League Soccer and the club’s developmental ranks.
A graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Quinton was a 2022 MLS SuperDraft selection of the Columbus Crew. After stints with the Crew organization, he joined Real Salt Lake in April 2024, where he continues to compete in the league as a center back.
Early Life and Background
Philip Kane Quinton was born on November 16, 1999, in Columbus, Ohio, in the United States, although he grew up in Portland, Oregon. He attended Grant High School in Portland, where he was a multi-year varsity contributor for the soccer program. Quinton served as team captain alongside co-captain Eli Roberts, leading the Generals to the state semifinals in his senior season.
During his senior year, Quinton earned First-Team All-Conference and Second-Team All-State recognition, and was also named a letterwinner. Outside high school play, he featured for FC Portland at the club academy level, where he helped the program claim the State Cup championship in 2013 and finish as State Cup finalists in 2012 and 2014. FC Portland later reached the State Cup semifinals in both 2016 and 2017.
Path to Soccer
As a teenager, Quinton balanced Grant High School soccer with the FC Portland academy, gaining exposure to competitive youth soccer in the Pacific Northwest. His play for FC Portland, including the 2013 State Cup title, helped build his profile as a promising central defender. The combination of high school leadership and academy experience set the stage for his recruitment to a top collegiate program.
In 2018, Quinton committed to the University of Notre Dame, choosing the Fighting Irish over Dartmouth College. Over four seasons in South Bend, he made 58 appearances and contributed two goals and two assists, while earning academic and conference recognition. He was a four-time ACC Honor Roll selection and a CoSIDA Second Team Academic All-American, and he was named to the 2021 ACC All-Tournament Team and the 2021 All-ACC Third Team.
Philip Quinton Career
Early Career (2021–2022)
Quinton made his senior debut in 2021 with Portland Timbers U23s of USL League Two during his college years, recording a single appearance. His college form was strong enough to put him on the radar of MLS clubs, and he entered the 2022 MLS SuperDraft as a defender out of Notre Dame.
On January 11, 2022, Quinton was selected 25th overall by Columbus Crew, who acquired the pick from Real Salt Lake in exchange for 50,000 dollars of General Allocation Money. He signed a professional deal with Columbus Crew 2, the club’s MLS Next Pro side, ahead of its inaugural 2022 season. Quinton also signed a short-term deal with the senior Columbus Crew ahead of a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup match against Detroit City on April 19, 2022, appearing on the bench.
Columbus Crew Breakthrough (2023–2024)
Following the 2022 season, Quinton was released by Columbus, but he returned to the organization in February 2023, signing an MLS contract. He re-entered the senior team picture quickly and made an immediate impact in his first full MLS season with the Crew.
On March 25, 2023, Quinton scored his first professional goal in a 6–1 home victory over Atlanta United. He remained part of the Columbus organization through 2024, splitting time between the senior roster and Crew 2 in MLS Next Pro. He was part of an organization that competed in domestic cup competition and topped the Western Conference, with his defensive presence supporting the club’s run to trophies during this period.
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 dollars in General Allocation Money, returning to the franchise that had originally held his MLS SuperDraft rights. The move gave him a fresh opportunity at the senior level and reunited him with the broader RSL ecosystem, which also includes Real Monarchs in MLS Next Pro, where he has since been listed on loan in 2025.
Wearing the number 26 shirt, Quinton has featured as a center back for Real Salt Lake, using his 1.96 m frame in both boxes. He has continued to develop within the RSL setup, balancing senior minutes with developmental appearances alongside the Monarchs.
Driving Style and Strengths
Quinton’s strengths revolve around his size, aerial ability, and positional awareness. Standing 6 ft 5 in, he is a strong presence in defensive duels and on set pieces, both at the back and in attacking transitions. His reading of the game, refined through four years at Notre Dame, complements his physical tools, and his work rate has been a key asset for the Real Salt Lake back line.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the most memorable moments of Quinton’s early career came on March 25, 2023, when he netted his first professional goal in a 6–1 rout of Atlanta United. His selection 25th overall in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft and subsequent trade to Real Salt Lake in April 2024 also stand as career-defining transactions that have shaped his path in Major League Soccer.
Philip Quinton Career Wins
As a defender early in his professional career, Quinton’s statistical ledger is still developing, and verified win totals across the top professional series are not available in the supplied data. The most reliable indicators of his contributions are his team-level involvement with Columbus Crew 2, Columbus Crew, and Real Salt Lake, and his individual scoring impact, including a debut professional goal against Atlanta United in 2023.
Real Salt Lake Highlights
Since joining Real Salt Lake in April 2024, Quinton has been integrated into the club’s defensive group and has also been listed with Real Monarchs in MLS Next Pro during 2025. Specific win tallies, goals, and assists for his RSL tenure are not fully verifiable from the supplied data and have been omitted rather than estimated.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond his MLS and MLS Next Pro duties, Quinton’s résumé includes a 2013 State Cup title with FC Portland at the youth level and a 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup squad appearance with Columbus Crew. He has also been recognized individually with ACC All-Tournament Team and All-ACC Third Team honors in 2021, and as a CoSIDA Second Team Academic All-American during his Notre Dame career.
Philip Quinton Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Quinton’s family has a strong athletic background, with his older brother Pieter Quinton also competing at a high level. The Quinton family has produced two notable athletes, both of whom have represented the United States in international competition, including collegiate and Olympic-level events.
Personal Life
Philip Quinton’s older brother, Pieter Quinton, is an Olympic rower. Pieter represented Team USA at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France, winning a bronze medal in the Men’s Eight. Public details about Quinton’s own marital status, residence, or children are not provided in verified sources.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into 2025, Philip Quinton remains a Real Salt Lake defender and continues to develop within the club’s MLS roster while listed on loan with Real Monarchs in MLS Next Pro. His role is centered on providing depth and competition at center back for an RSL side that continues to compete in the Western Conference. As the 2025 campaign progresses, Quinton’s minutes at both the MLS and MLS Next Pro levels will be key indicators of his long-term trajectory with the club.
