ATLANTA, GA — Delaware Nation is proud to officially introduce professional soccer player Luke Brennan, a 17-year-old Lenape athlete that is proud of his Native heritage & his Country. Luke Brennan currently plays for Atlanta United 2 in Atlanta GA and was recently called up to attend the USMNT U19 National camp in July 2022 in California.

Native American Pro Soccer players are little to none. Here are the following pro soccer players according to Wikipedia, Chris Wondolowski – plays as a striker for San Jose Earthquakes and the United States national team, and is a member of the Kiowa tribe, Stephen Wondolowski – Former American Soccer Defender and is Kiowa, Madison Hammond, Navajo & San Felipe Pueblo, is the first Native American to play on the National Women’s Soccer League after signing with the OL Reign in 2020, and Harry Manson of the First Nations.

Luke is the FIRST pro-Delaware Nation soccer player. He plays with his heart and soul and he loves every minute that he is on the Pitch.

His dream is to be a professional Soccer player for the Premiere league and to represent his Native heritage at the highest pro level possible. Luke is not only a phenomenal athlete he is an outstanding person. He is loyal, intelligent, outgoing, and most importantly one of the nicest young men you will ever meet.

Luke’s history begins with his lineage: Grandmother Pearl Joyce Bedoka (Caddo/ Delaware), born and raised in Anadarko, Oklahoma with her siblings & parents, Louis Bedoka – Pearl Guy Bedoka.

During “The Native American Relocation Act of 1956” Pearl Joyce Bedoka was relocated to Los Angeles to learn a trade and be removed from her native land and people. Pearl Joyce had to succeed in Los Angeles due to the fact she could not afford the moving expenses to return to Oklahoma. Amid her newfound life in California, she was married and years later had two children. Sadly, the marriage did not work out and Pearl Joyce had to raise two infants by herself in Los Angeles without any family to help or encourage the young mother of two.

Years later, Luke’s mother, young adult Shana Smith Brennan, left Los Angeles and moved to Atlanta, Georgia. There she met her husband Jim Brennan and had two boys (Luke Brennan & Jackson Brennan).

Luke was introduced to soccer at the age of 2, while his older brother Jackson was competing in a church league. Luke was attending the game as a spectator, but he kept running onto the field and was determined to play. As a result, he received special permission to play at the age of 3 for the church league.

At age 6, Luke joined a Club team with special permission and played for the U8s. From there he succeeded and went on to try out for an Academy MLS team “Atlanta United Academy “. At the age of 11, Luke was 1 of 5 of the youngest players to receive an invitation to play for Atlanta United Academy Inaugural team in 2016. From that point on, Luke has played for Atlanta United Academy. He has made strides playing for Atlanta United Academy from the U12s to the U17s. He has been such a strong player at the age of 16 he was asked to join Atlanta United’s second pro team (Atlanta United 2) as an unsigned pro.

In August 2021, Luke started receiving recruitment calls and letters from every major D1 college from the West Coast to the East Coast. Due to Luke’s loyalty and strong relationship with the soccer coach at USC (University of South Carolina) Luke committed to USC. In July 2022, Luke scored his first professional goal and received a call-up to USMNT (United States Men’s National Team) for the U19s.

Delaware Nation is proud to honor the incredibly talented tribal citizens that make this tribe great. Wanìshi, Luke, and good luck with your future as a pro soccer player!

Side note: U.S. Soccer today announced Atlanta United Academy forward Luke Brennan has been called up to the U.S.Under-19 Men’s Youth National Team for its upcoming training camp in Carson, California from July 25 to Aug. 2.

Brennan, 17, has logged 480 minutes for Atlanta United 2 this season, scoring two goals in his last three games to become the youngest goal-scorer for the club this season. The Atlanta, Georgia native has made 15 appearances, five of them starting under head coach Jack Collison.’

By Wesley Boone Public Relations 11/15/2022