News

Goalkeeper Carlos Merancio has joined USL Championship side Hartford Athletic pending league and federation approval, the club announced today. 

“Words cannot express how grateful I am to have been a part of FC Tucson these last two years and for all the great memories the club has given me,” said Carlos Merancio. “They will always be an important part of my career. Thank you for everything, Tucson.”

The Hermosillo, Sonora native ranked fourth in USL League One in saves per match (2.8) and earned nine starts in his second season with the Men in Black in 2020. In Week 13 of the USL League One season, Merancio earned Team of the Week honors after recording 10 saves across two games, including an eight-save shutout performance against South Georgia Tormenta FC.

Merancio, 22, signed with FC Tucson in February 2019, following his time with Monarcas of the Liga de Expansión MX. The 6’2 goalkeeper earned one clean sheet and made 41 saves in 13 matches for his first season with FC Tucson in 2019. 

“I am excited for Carlos as he embarks on this next chapter of his career. He is fully deserving of this move to the USL Championship and we wish him nothing but success with Hartford,” said FC Tucson Head Coach, John Galas. “He has been a tremendous professional, and a great ambassador for FC Tucson over the last two seasons. We are excited to follow his progress in 2021.”

Merancio joins Hartford Athletic as the club’s second new signing ahead of their 2021 USL Championship season. Hartford Athletic is coming off a 2020 campaign that saw the Connecticut club earn 11 wins and 3 losses, topping Group F.

Former FC Tucson regulars Aaron Long and Aaron Herrera have been named to the United States National Team January camp held in Bradenton, Florida.

Aaron Long (2012-2013) has been called into the USMNT January Camp following his dominating performance during the team’s 6-0 win against El Salvador. Long, now of the New York Red Bulls, played for FC Tucson during the 2012 and 2013 PDL seasons before being drafted by the Portland Timbers. The Oak Hills, California native is the first former FC Tucson player to be named to the senior US Men’s National Team side.

Aaron Herrera (2016-2017) will join the U-23 USMNT and will train alongside the senior team in Bradenton, Fla. The Real Salt Lake defender made a total of 14 appearances for the Men in Black during the 2016 and 2017 PDL seasons. The Las Cruces, New Mexico native also featured in the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup in South Korea and helped the U-20 squad earn its first-ever U-20 CONCACAF Championship.

For the full January Camp roster and more details on their call ups visit, www.ussoccer.com. 

TUCSON, Ariz. (Jan. 5, 2021) — FC Tucson announced today that attacking midfielder Charlie Dennis has signed a new contract, adding him to the 2021 FC Tucson roster, pending league and federation approval. 

“We are delighted to have been able to re-sign Charlie Dennis for the 2021 season.  In a shortened 2020 season, he logged over 1100 minutes for us and proved to be one of the most dangerous attacking players in the league by creating the most chances,” said FC Tucson Head Coach John Galas. “With his experience and quality of play, he fits in really well with our goals and objectives for the upcoming season. He’s a good pro and a joy to coach – I am thrilled he will be back with us in Tucson.”

Dennis, 25, re-signs with the club following a 2020 season that saw the Brighton, England native tally a team-leading five assists in 15 appearances. In his debut season with the Men in Black, Dennis led the league with the most chances created in 2020 (36), tying with South Georgia Tormenta FC’s Marco Micaletto. Dennis ranked third in the league in assists, second in key passes per match, and finished in the top-ten in dribbles completed during the 2020 season.

Dennis, a product of the Southampton FC Academy, was one of four players nominated for FC Tucson’s 2020 Most Valuable Player of the Year Award.

“I am excited to return to Tucson for the 2021 season. I loved every minute of last year and can’t wait to improve on what we built as a club,” said Charlie Dennis. “I am looking forward to getting my boots back on and having a spectacular second season.”

The 6’2”, 190-pound midfielder joined FC Tucson ahead of the 2020 season by way of Tormenta FC after scoring three goals and adding four assists in 27 matches during his first professional season with the Statesboro, Georgia club in 2019. 

Dennis played collegiately at Palm Beach Atlantic University, where he scored 15 goals and added nine assists in 33 matches. During his time at PBA, Dennis also played in USL League Two with Tormenta FC 2, appearing in 15 matches across two seasons. Dennis joins Manu Ferriol, who the club announced in December, in the FC Tucson midfield for 2021.

TUCSON, Ariz. (Dec. 22, 2020) — FC Tucson announced today that the club has exercised the contract option for Spanish midfielder Manu Ferriol, making him the third player on the team’s 2021 roster.

“I am extremely excited to come back to Tucson for 2021,” said Manu Ferriol.  “I can’t wait to give back all the confidence I’ve been shown by the coaching staff and club. Fuerza Tucson.”

Ferriol, 22, officially signed for the club on February 27, 2020, but due to COVID-19 related travel restrictions, Ferriol remained in Spain before being allowed to return stateside in September of 2020. The Spain native joined after being selected 40th overall by FC Dallas in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft. 

In his shortened, first season with the team, Ferriol appeared in 9 matches and quickly became the club’s 4th most consistent passer with an average of 51.9 passes per 90 minutes of play. 

Born in Valencia, Spain, the central midfielder developed within the Levante UD academy of La Liga for four years, from 2010 to 2016 before joining NCAA Division 1 soccer program James Madison University (JMU) in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Ferriol played three seasons with James Madison University, scoring 30 goals and adding 10 assists in 64 appearances. The midfielder collected accolades such as 2019 CAA Player of the Year, ECAC Offensive Player of the Year and CSN First Team All-American honors.

“With exercising the option of Manu Ferriol we are returning a quality player to our 2021 team. Although we only had Manu for a handful of games in 2020, we saw some of his quality,” said FC Tucson Head Coach, John Galas.  “He was a treasured member in the second half of 2020 and we are very much looking forward to having him here for a full campaign in 2021.”

During his time at JMU, Ferriol played in the USL League Two with the LongIsland Rough Riders, where he was selected to the 2019 Eastern Conference Team of the Season, scoring 5 goals and tallying a team-leading 4 assists. He becomes the first midfielder returner from the 2020 team and joins Shak Adams and Roberto Alarcon on the club’s 2021 roster.

TUCSON, Ariz. (Dec. 15, 2020) — FC Tucson announced today that the club has exercised the contract option for defender Roberto Alarcon, making him the second player on the team’s 2021 roster.

“Roberto proved to be one the best players in the league last year, and he will be an instrumental member of our squad,” said FC Tucson Head Coach, John Galas. “He understands our style of play and our system well and I am excited to welcome him back to the club for what we hope to be a very successful season in 2021.”

In his first season with FC Tucson, Alarcon made 16 regular-season appearances (15 starts) and finished second in minutes played (1330) and chances created (20). Alarcon, 22, made his USL League One debut with the club on July 25, 2020, playing 90 minutes in the team’s 2-1 victory over Fort Lauderdale CF. 

The Palma de Mallorca, Spain, native joined the club ahead of the 2020 season following two seasons with his hometown club of RCD Mallorca B of the Tercera Division. The versatile defender developed within the RCD Mallorca and CF Platges de Calvià systems for two years before making his RCD Mallorca B senior debut on August 18, 2018. He went on to score five goals in his first season with the Spanish, Balearic Islands club. 

“I feel very happy to continue growing as a footballer with this great club,” said Roberto. “I have felt loved and respected for my work and I’d like to thank all the staff and fans for the trust they’ve given me.”

Alarcon scored two goals and tallied two assists in 2020. He completed his first USL League One season tied for third-most assists on the team and fourth-highest passing accuracy (87.1) while playing in defense and the attack. The Spaniard joins Shak Adams as the club’s first two returners for the 2021 season. 

Defender Niall Logue has joined USL Championship side El Paso Locomotive FC pending league and federation approval, the club announced today. 

“Big congratulations to Niall on his signing with El Paso,” said FC Tucson Head Coach, John Galas. “This is well deserved and I am absolutely thrilled for him and his wife. Niall is a consummate pro, and this move to El Paso proves once again that We as a club can not only attract top talent worldwide, but we can help players reach their goals. It was always in the plans to push Niall on to the Championship and I’m extremely proud of him and looking forward to watching his progress in the Championship.”

Logue, 25, signed with FC Tucson in January 2020, making him the team’s first defender and the team’s Captain for the 2020 season. The Ireland native made 16 appearances for the Men in Black, playing every minute of every match in the 2020 season. Logue led USL League One in distribution with 994 passes completed and finished third in clearances (63). Within the club, Logue led in blocks (14), clearances, and aerial duels won (27). 

Logue joins El Paso as the club’s first new signing ahead of their 2021 USL Championship season, following their successful season that resulted in Western Conference Final appearance for the Texan club.

 

FC Tucson goalkeeper loanee Amal Knight has become a regular in the renowned Jamaican National Team since his international debut in 2018. Knight, on loan from USL Championship’s San Diego Loyal, is looking forward to being a pivotal player in what many deem Jamaica’s “golden generation” with standout players such as Bayer Leverkusen winger Leon Bailey and Anderlecht defender Kemar Lawrence. Knight is in a talented, select group with Donovan Ricketts, Andre Blake, and Ryan Thompson as Jamaican goalkeepers to take their talents to the United States professional leagues.

In this sit-down, Knight candidly talks about his role and experience with the Jamaican National Team, 2022 World Cup hopes, and about his relationship with national team teammates like Philadelphia Union’s Andre Blake.

How has the off-season treated you so far? 

Amal Knight: It has been pretty good. My off-season is just now beginning since I got back from Saudi Arabia.  

What was it like being in Saudi Arabia for the first time? 

AK: It was pretty good, I didn’t get to explore a lot because of all the COVID-19 restrictions. Saudi Arabia is a very strict country when it comes to COVID-19 and trying to limit the number of cases. I just stayed in my hotel room most of the time and chilled.  

What was it like stepping onto the field for the Jamaican National Team?

AK: It was a wonderful feeling putting on the jersey with the national colors, and then getting the opportunity to play. I felt good in warm-ups and they told me that if I’m feeling ready to go I will come in. I was mentally prepared and went out there to shut out the Saudi Arabian National Team. This game was big because we are in the top 50 for FIFA rankings and if we lost we might have slipped out of the top 50.  

What does it feel like to be a part of a Jamaican National Team with what many expect a bright future ahead?

AK: It feels good to be a part of the project. It has been a long time coming and it will be challenging, but with all the special players we have, I think we can only get better.  We have players like Leon Bailey who is playing well at Bayer Leverkusen and Daniel Johnson who made his Jamaican National Team debut on November 14th. We have a few guys who are playing in the major leagues in Europe who are adding depth to our team. I think we need to keep building on what we have and continue to work hard. This was our first international game since March, so to come out after training for a few days together and then play as well as we did is a good sign. 

How have you helped all the new faces on the national team get acclimated with the team?

AK: They are all funny guys. Most of them live in Jamaica during the offseason. They all know the Jamaican roots; Daniel speaks Jamaican and English. When I first met him I was shocked he knew Jamaican. I think it is good that a lot of these young guys can go to Jamaica, understand the culture and know how to get around. Because of this, it wasn’t hard for those new guys to adapt to the team during camp. 

What would you say the culture is like with the Jamaican National Team?

AK: At first everyone was nervous because we had a few players test positive for COVID-19, but after that everyone settled down and we went back to the normal routine. All the guys were a lot more chilled and laid back, especially once we got back to training. We wanted to make sure we got a positive result in the second game. 

What was it like making your Jamaican National Team debut back in 2018? 

AK: It was special knowing that I could represent my country. We played a friendly game against an Austrian club team in Turkey and I started that game. After the game, the coach told me I was going to start in the next game against a South Korean team that was heading for the world cup. The only player that wasn’t on the roster was Son Heung-min from Tottenham. It was a big game for me and when I walked onto the pitch, I cried because everyone wants to play for their country, especially in Jamaica. It was a dream come true and I embrace being able to represent my country, family, and friends when I step onto the pitch. 

What role are you looking to provide for the national team in 2021? 

AK: It is a crucial year because we have World Cup qualifiers and the Gold Cup. I just want to be in selection every time the squad calls up players. I always tell myself I need to be on the 20 man team roster or the starting 11. At the end of the day, I just want to be a part of the team. 

What is a typical match day like for the national team? 

AK: For this year it is different. We get up, breakfast is not mandatory, lunch is mandatory, and pre-game meals are not mandatory. We don’t get to eat as a team because everyone is in separate hotel rooms with the food being delivered. The only time we are all together is team meetings and training. When there were no restrictions we would have breakfast, lunch, and pregame meals as a team. The coach would be giving us tactics and the starting lineup. Then we would play the game, after in the locker room we would have fun, while singing and dancing. Finally, we would have dinner as a team. After we won the second friendly the locker room was really fun with chill vibes. 

Who would you say are your go-to people to hang out with on the team? 

AK: Normally I room with Andre Blake, but I get along with everyone. We are always vibing as a team. I’m mostly with Andre because we are both keepers. We are really close, even our birthdays are only two days apart.  

Were you excited to see Andre Blake win MLS Goalkeeper of the year?

AK: I am happy for him, he has been excellent this season. It is a major accomplishment for him and Jamaica because it goes a long way. He is doing this for not only himself but also all the young goalies in Jamaica who may think they will never make it out. I remember before coming to the U.S. that someone had a young goalkeeper come to them and say there is no hope for Jamaican goalkeepers because there is no way for them to get out of the country. With Andre doing so well in the MLS and myself getting my first contract overseas, we are building a path for young Jamaican goalkeepers to have a chance. 

What do you think will be the keys to success with the 2022 World Cup coming soon? 

AK: I think we need to start on a positive note. Next year is going to be crucial. We have the Gold Cup and the World Cup Qualifiers and I think once everyone is playing consistently we will be very competitive. The coaches will have a lot to do and a lot of headaches when it comes to lineups and call ups. If everyone is on fire come next year, the coach will have a hard time picking the 11 and even the 23. I think we just need to be consistent and mentally prepared for anything that can happen. It’s going to be the US, Mexico, Jamaica, Costa Rica and Panama fighting for World Cup spots so it’s going to be an interesting year.

TUCSON, Arizona (Dec. 3, 2020) — FC Tucson announced today the application process for three full-time roles and multiple internship opportunities for students, to build on its commitment to being a pillar in the Tucson community. FC Tucson is currently accepting applications for the positions of Director of Ticket Sales, Director of Development & Corporate Partnerships, Finance & Administration Manager and their Spring 2021 internship team. The club encourages qualified candidates to apply for the positions to join the hardworking and dedicated staff in Tucson, Arizona. 

“As FC Tucson prepares to enter its third professional year, the club is committed to hiring the top talent and to developing a first-rate product on and off the pitch,” said FC Tucson President, Amanda Powers. “We are looking forward to bringing ambitious team members to help us build something extraordinary in our beloved city of Tucson.”

FC Tucson, one of three professional sports teams in Tucson, anticipates growth onto to the total of 15 employees held through the 2020 USL League One season. FC Tucson was the only professional team in Tucson to play through the 2020 season. While following Pima County Health Department and CDC guidelines, FC Tucson administered weekly tests to the entire team and staff to ensure their health and safety. From August through October, FC Tucson held eight socially-distanced, drive-in watch party events at El Toro Flicks Drive-In Cinema for the club’s home matches and partnered with local businesses to provide food and beverage services at these events. 

In the club’s 10-year history, FC Tucson has provided over 200 Southern Arizona college students internship opportunities that have accelerated careers in marketing, communications, kinesiology and sports management. Internships with the club have led to full-time roles with sporting and entertainment organizations such as Anschutz Entertainment Group, FOX Sports, The National Hockey League and renowned Major League Soccer teams Seattle Sounders FC and Sporting Kansas City. 

“FC Tucson is a success story that includes countless sports and entertainment professionals beyond just the sport of soccer,” said Director of Soccer Operations, Jon Pearlman. “We strongly believe in investing in our community and members of the community with goals to continue to build on our 10-year history in Tucson.”

As Southern Arizona’s only professional soccer franchise, FC Tucson is eager to write a new chapter of its history, with new leadership and staff. Beyond these aforementioned positions, FC Tucson expects to generate 10 jobs and open more front-office positions in early 2021 as a result of its commitment to Tucson.

To learn more about FC Tucson’s career opportunities, please visit https://www.fctucson.com/careers.

 

About FC Tucson  

FC Tucson was founded in 2010 by a local group of dedicated Tucsonans who wanted to elevate the sport and bring professional soccer to the City of Tucson. Since that time, FC Tucson has been responsible for helping to put Tucson on the national stage by hosting the annual MLS pre-season training events as well as developing America’s top Players who have gone on to become MLS and US Men’s National Team Members. This year marks the 10th anniversary of FC Tucson and the Club intends to enter the new decade with a commitment to showcasing top talent and bringing the community together in a whole new fashion. You can expect the Club to make investments in building a winning team on the pitch and hiring talented front office staff with the goal of enhancing the game day experience while forming a patchwork of community initiatives that are uniquely Tucson. #ItStartsinTUCSON