Another couple weeks since our last recap, and the same clubs, LA Force, Maryland Bobcats FC, and Irvine Zeta FC, have announced player signings. However, Club de Lyon FC has announced its first player signing for the upcoming season, and tomorrow, Michigan Stars FC will announce its player signings as well. Here is a recap of the latest signings below, just in case you missed anything.
LA Force
Justin Jovel (Midfielder)
Midfielder Justin Jovel is returning to the Force for his second season with the club. In his first season, Jovel made 22 appearances across all competitions and logged 1,590 minutes on the pitch.
Josue Cartagena (Midfielder)
Another significant addition for the Force as they add a league champion to their squad for the upcoming season. Josue Cartagena was crucial in helping Flower City Union win their first NISA league championship last season. He played 22 matches across all competitions, scored one goal, and recorded 1,587 minutes for City Union. He previously played with the Chattanooga Red Wolves in 2022.
Victor Blanco (Forward)
The Force added some more firepower to its attack by announcing the signing of forward Victor Blanco to their squad. Blanco spent last season with Club de Lyon FC, starting in 16 matches, scoring two goals and adding two assists. He also played in Club de Lyon FC’s U.S. Open Cup match against USL Championship side San Antonio FC last year.
Erick Villatoro (Defender)
Erick Villatoro is returning for his sixth season with the LA Force for the upcoming season. During the 2023 NISA season, Villatoro started 19 matches and made 22 appearances. In his career with the Force, Villatoro has made 62 appearances for the club, adding two assists, and logged 3,881 minutes on the pitch. Villatoro played right back and right wing back for the Force during his time in Southern California.
Dante Brigida (Forward)
Dante Brigida is headed west as he was recently announced as the latest addition by the LA Force. Brigida last played for former MLS NEXT Pro side Rochester New York FC in their lone season in the league in 2022. He made 20 appearances across all competitions and scored two goals. He played collegiate soccer at Oral Roberts University and was on the OKC Energy U-23 team.
Maryland Bobcats FC
Wilfred Tinay (Left Wing)
The Bobcats continue to add local talent to the squad. Adding left wing Wilfred Tinay was the first signing from that group. He played with Bridge Sports Club last year.
Tongwa Aka (Center Back)
The second local talent signing by the Bobcats was center back Tongwa Aka. He also played with Bridge Sports Club last year.
Alhagi “Pa” Lette (Striker)
Another local signing by the Bobcats added striker Alhagi “Pa” Lette. He played with Bridge Sports Club last year.
Angelo Guevara Coppia (Right Back)
The Bobcats added some local talent with right back Angelo Guevara Coppia. He played with Bridge Sports Club last year.
Tyler Gabarra (Left Back)
The Bobcats added another defender to their backline, signing Left Back Tyler Gabarra last week. Gabarra was with ALBION San Diego last season, making 27 appearances across all competitions, scoring three goals, and adding two assists. He has been with ALBION since 2022 and has five goals for the club. Gabarra had previously played with Loudon United FC in the USL Championship from 2020 through 2021.
Shaan Sharma (Center Back)
Shaan Sharma joins the Maryland Bobcats for the upcoming season. Sharma played with Club de Lyon FC last season, making 17 appearances. Before that, Sharma spent some time with Western Suburbs FC in the National League Central in New Zealand in 2022. Sharma had also played with former NISA club Stumptown AC in the Spring and Fall 2021 seasons.
Jacob Campbell (Left Back)
Jacob “Jake” Campbell joins the Bobcats for the upcoming season after playing for the Michigan Stars FC last year. Campbell had been with the Stars for three seasons, making 31 appearances across all competitions, scoring one goal, and having two assists during his time in Michigan. The Bobcats added another local DMV product to their squad, as Campbell was born in nearby Arlington, VA.
Irvine Zeta FC
Jonathan Estrada (Forward)
Irvine Zeta FC announced the signing of forward Jonathan Estrada last week. Estrada has experience in college and pro soccer. He previously played college soccer at Cal in 2019 and played with LA Galaxy II in 2017 when they were in the USL.
Club de Lyon FC
Juan Manuel “Burrito” Martínez (Right Wing)
Club de Lyon FC announced their first player signing for the upcoming season, adding winger Juan Manuel “Burrito” Martínez to their squad. The former 2010 footballer of the year in Argentina last played with Club Almirante Brown in 2022. Martínez has experience playing abroad with Al-Shabab, Corinthians, and Real Salt Lake in Major League Soccer. Martínez also had a stellar career with many clubs in Argentina, such as Velez Sarsfield, Boca Juniors, Almagro, and Independiente. Martínez has won trophies, adding a FIFA Club World Cup title, a Saudi Cup Winner, Copa Sudamericana, and four Argentinian Championships to his impressive resumé.
That’s the latest player movement updates I have for you from across the league from the past couple of weeks. What do you think of the latest signings? Let me know in the comments section below. Enjoy your Wednesday and I’ll see you next time.
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