2017 was a historic year for Derrick Jones.
Jones became the Union's first homegrown player signed from the Union Academy in 2016, and after his successful season, he was seen as someone who could push for a spot on the Union first-team in 2017.
But there were very few people who anticipated him cracking the starting XI to start the 2017 season.
When the opening whistle sounded in the Union's season opener against Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Jones was on the field as a holding midfielder. He became the first player in Union history to start a match for the Union Academy, Bethlehem Steel FC, and the Union first-team.