San Antonio FC Announce Two Signing for 2016 Roster
Two former players of Head Coach Darren Powell sign with San Antonio FC for its inaugural season in the USL. Both players have endured a successful career thus far with Miguel Salazar spending his youth career as a member of the Real Salt Lake Academy program and Sam McBride named All-State second team during his senior season.
Soccer News from San Antonio FC: San Antonio FC has signed midfielder Miguel Salazar and defender Sam McBride for the upcoming 2016 USL season, the club announced today. Both McBride and Salazar played under current SAFC head coach Darren Powell at Elon University from 2012 to 2013. Per club policy, terms of the contracts were not disclosed.
Salazar has spent the previous four years playing Division I soccer for the Phoenix. Salazar earned Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) first team honors after his senior season in 2015 when he helped lead the Phoenix to a CAA regular season title and third NCAA tournament appearance in four years.
“Miguel is a very talented player who came up in an MLS academy,” said Powell. “I’m very familiar with him from his early days at Elon. He’s a talented midfielder who can get the ball off the back four, look for good passing positions and help build the play forward.”
The Tucson, Ariz. native grew up in the Real Salt Lake (MLS) Academy and also took part in the 2016 Adidas MLS Combine where he performed in front of MLS and USL coaches and scouts in advance of the 2016 MLS SuperDraft.
“I am very happy and excited to sign with San Antonio FC,” said Salazar. “I am very thankful to God, my family, my friends and my teammates for helping me get here. In addition, I am grateful to Darren and the San Antonio organization for this opportunity.”
McBride will also rejoin his former mentor, Powell, in San Antonio for the upcoming season. The defender was named to the 2015 North Carolina Collegiate Sports Information Association’s (NCCSIA) All-State second team following his senior season.
“I’ve known Sam for a long time,” said Powell. “He is a good center back who is very good in the air. He is strong, honest, has good character, and will add important depth to our defensive ranks.”
The Greensboro, N.C. native started and played every minute of Elon’s season in 2015, helping lead the Phoenix to a conference-best nine shutouts. McBride was also named to the All-CAA third team and the CAA All-Tournament Team in 2015.
“I’m extremely honored and excited to start my career with SAFC,” said McBride. “San Antonio is a great soccer city with potential for future success in the game. I can’t wait to get started with the team, and I am looking forward to helping out in the local community and meeting the people who have and will continue to support our club. I hope we can have a successful first season and start something special.”
San Antonio FC will make its debut in front of home supporters at Toyota Field on Saturday, April 9 against Swope Park Rangers, the USL affiliate of Sporting Kansas City.
Source: San Antonio FC. Photo Credit: Elon University Men’s Soccer
