24 Oct Albion PROS begins signing players for the 2017 season
The preparation for the 2017 season has officially started!
After signing the successful coach and fan favorite Ziggy Korytoski for another season with the Albion PROS, he started building is squad for next year right away. With Jean Antoine, Felipe Liborio and Luke Staats, and Oscar Ortega the Pros solidified four key players for another season! All four have been pillars of success for the premier 2016 NPSL season that ended with the biggest success in the club´s young history reaching the National Quarterfinal.
Goalkeeper Jean Antoine, a Haiti native from Port-au-Prince, has been a rock in the Albion defense, not just since his 3(!) penalty saves in the play-off game against SoCal SC. With his laid back attitude, and incredible saves, “Flying Jean” has played himself into the heart of the fans. He received national recognition for his performance by gaining honorable mention for the All-NPSL Team.
Speaking of All-NPSL Team: Luke Staats, the Dutchman from Amsterdam convinced fans and officials equally and was named 1st Team All-NPSL as one of only 4 defenders in the league. The Albion PROS are excited for their captain to return for next season, which will be his third season playing for San Diego, after previously leading the San Diego Flash to win the Southwestern Conference in 2015. Success follows Luke, who comes from the highly recognized talent pool from the Netherlands, where he competed with no other than the youth clubs of Ajax, PSV, and other first division clubs.
The third player in this framework of success has shown up less on the scoreboard, but nevertheless is invaluable for the Pros performances. Felipe “Junior” Liborio was crucial with his seemingly endless stamina, combined with his unique ball control and eye for the team mate. This hard working 20 year-old from Chula Vista has earned his spot on the roaster, and has grown into a fan favorite, as he gained national recognition as NPSL Supporters´ XI Honorable Mention.
And last but not least, Albion SC´s very own Oscar Ortega, or Coach Oscar, how he is known to many younger players, has also committed to another year of success with the PROSs. Not many players have the Albion DNA running through their veins like Oscar Ortega. For over 10 years, the former Youth National Team player has put on the Albion jersey, only interrupted by US National Team duties in Florida. He won pretty much everything there is to win on the youth level playing for Noah Gins, and he is ready to continue his hunt for titles as the Pros are preparing for a strong run at the National Championship.
With the first four players confirmed, the 2017 NPSL season has become reality very quickly. The next signings will be announced soon. The preparation for the quest to the National Championship has officially begun!