FC Tucson Pro Academy embarks on its second year in USL Academy with a roster of more than 25 players from across Southern Arizona, from a multitude of backgrounds.
The pro academy is designed to provide a path-to-pro for aspiring young soccer players. With the pro academy, players from a multitude of backgrounds and from a variety of teams come together to gain additional experience, professional coaching and opportunities with FC Tucson. These players also continue to play for their local clubs and organizations, allowing FC Tucson to support local soccer teams and leagues while providing a unique opportunity for players.
“There’s some very talented kids here in the community,” said FC Tucson Pro Academy Head Coach Sebastian Pineda. “We’re building a quality side with quality level players and to make the academy as professional as possible.”
Last month, the club hosted a pair of combines for players to showcase their skills and earn a spot on the team.
ROSTER
| FIRST NAME | LAST NAME | # | NATIONALITY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diego | Ruiz | 49 | Mexico |
| Brandon | Sanchez | 33 | USA |
| Jerod | Allen | 38 | USA |
| Nicholas | Hanus | 33 | USA |
| Emiliano | Andraux | 30 | Mexico |
| Joseph | Miranda | 40 | Mexico |
| Santiago | Ballesteros | 41 | USA |
| Raul | Torres | 42 | Mexico |
| Owen | Lynch | 43 | USA |
| Diego | Veliz | 44 | USA |
| Nicolas | Valenzuela | 45 | USA |
| Ruben | Bonilla | 46 | Mexico |
| Edgar | Leyva | 47 | Mexico |
| Missael | Montilla | 48 | Venezuela / Mexico / USA |
| Ivan | Felix | 50 | Mexico |
| Luka | Skattie | 51 | USA |
| Pedro | Pulido | 52 | USA |
| D’Andre | Pickett | 53 | USA |
| Santiago | Hanus | 54 | USA |
| Jose | Bracamonte | 55 | Mexico |
| Sebastian | Barrios | 56 | Mexico |
| Fernando | Hernandez | 57 | Mexico |
| Marco | Torres | 58 | Mexico |
| Sebastian | Guzman | 59 | USA |
| Cristerna | Oleta | 60 | Mexico |
| Leonel | Gutierrez | 61 | Mexico |
| Aime | Uwilana | 62 | Tanzania |
| Mossi | Ombeni | 63 | Burundi |
Edgar Leyva, Fernando Hernandez, Jose Bracamontes, Sebastian Barrios, Mossi Ombeni and Aime Uwilana attended the Community Combine on Feb. 25 and provided the opportunity to showcase their skills outside the traditional U.S. pay-to-play model. All six have joined the Pro Academy.
FC Tucson Pro Academy, which holds its first practice this week, will train one to two times per week through October. It plays an eight-game schedule against other USL pro academy teams, beginning with a home game against New Mexico United on May 1 and culminating with a trip to Albuquerque to play NM United on Aug. 21. Other opponents include El Paso Locomotive FC, San Diego Loyal SC, Orange County SC and Phoenix Rising FC.
