Fresh off the heels of an historic 2021 season in which FC Tucson advanced to the USL League One semifinals, the club announced Thursday the return of six key players from that playoff run for the 2022 season.
Among those returning is the club's 2021 Player of the Year Kaelon Fox and Defender of the Year, Luca Mastrantonio. FC Tucson also announced the options for forwards Gio Calixtro, Deri Corfe and Kevin Rodrigez, as well as midfielder João Delgado have been exercised.
Fresh off the heels of an historic 2021 season in which FC Tucson advanced to the USL League One semifinals, the club announced Thursday the return of six key players from that playoff run for the 2022 season.
Among those returning is the club’s 2021 Player of the Year Kaelon Fox and Defender of the Year, Luca Mastrantonio. FC Tucson also announced the options for forwards Gio Calixtro, Deri Corfe and Kevin Rodrigez, as well as midfielder João Delgado have been exercised.
Mastrantonio ended the 2021 season with 63 clearances, 10 blocks, 28 interceptions, 22 tackles and 1,275 minutes played, and was named the team's top defender.
He also scored his first professional goal after heading in a cross from Charlie Dennis against Fort Lauderdale CF on September 11. His second professional goal was another header, against the Richmond Kickers on October 30. This would prove to be the game winner and sent FC Tucson to the USL League One Playoffs, its first professional playoff appearance.
Mastrantonio signed his first professional contract with FC Tucson and became a standout player in the backline. The 25-year-old from Rome, Italy, joined the team after a standout 2019 season with University of California-Irvine, where he was first team All-Big West Conference.
FOLLOW LUCA MASTRANTONIO: Twitter | Instagram
Mastrantonio ended the 2021 season with 63 clearances, 10 blocks, 28 interceptions, 22 tackles and 1,275 minutes played, and was named the team’s top defender.
He also scored his first professional goal after heading in a cross from Charlie Dennis against Fort Lauderdale CF on September 11. His second professional goal was another header, against the Richmond Kickers on October 30. This would prove to be the game winner and sent FC Tucson to the USL League One Playoffs, its first professional playoff appearance.
Mastrantonio signed his first professional contract with FC Tucson and became a standout player in the backline. The 25-year-old from Rome, Italy, joined the team after a standout 2019 season with University of California-Irvine, where he was first team All-Big West Conference.
FOLLOW LUCA MASTRANTONIO: Twitter | Instagram
During his first season with the club, Fox played in 26 of the team's 30 games, logging 2,370 minutes, making 103 clearances, 31 interceptions, 19 blocks and won 89 of his duels. He was named the team's most valuable player.
The 26-year-old from Louisville, Kentucky, captained the team from the backline, guiding the team to fourth – its highest finish in USL League One history.
Fox signed for FC Tucson ahead of the 2021 season after playing two seasons in the Icelandic football league system.
FOLLOW KAELON FOX: Twitter | Instagram
During his first season with the club, Fox played in 26 of the team’s 30 games, logging 2,370 minutes, making 103 clearances, 31 interceptions, 19 blocks and won 89 of his duels. He was named the team’s most valuable player.
The 26-year-old from Louisville, Kentucky, captained the team from the backline, guiding the team to fourth – its highest finish in USL League One history.
Fox signed for FC Tucson ahead of the 2021 season after playing two seasons in the Icelandic football league system.
FOLLOW KAELON FOX: Twitter | Instagram
Calixtro appeared in 28 of the club's 30 games this season totaling 1,681 minutes played.
He took 29 shots, and contributed four assists and four goals. He recorded his first career hat trick in a win over Fort Lauderdale CF on August 22, that started a 7-2-3 run to finish the season.
The 21-year-old from Portland, Oregon, joined FC Tucson ahead of the 2021 season after spending four years in the USL Championship with the Portland Timbers 2.
FOLLOW GIO CALIXTRO: Twitter | Instagram
Calixtro appeared in 28 of the club’s 30 games this season totaling 1,681 minutes played.
He took 29 shots, and contributed four assists and four goals. He recorded his first career hat trick in a win over Fort Lauderdale CF on August 22, that started a 7-2-3 run to finish the season.
The 21-year-old from Portland, Oregon, joined FC Tucson ahead of the 2021 season after spending four years in the USL Championship with the Portland Timbers 2.
FOLLOW GIO CALIXTRO: Twitter | Instagram
Corfe racked up 2,008 minutes and appeared in 29 matches during the 2021 season.
He led the team with 56 shots and was second on the team with eight goals during the regular season. The 23-year-old from Chester, England, scored the game-winner in the 87th minute of FC Tucson's 1-0 win over Richmond Kickers in the quarterfinals of the USL League One playoffs.
Corfe signed with FC Tucson in 2021 after spending a year in the USL Championship with the New York Red Bulls II.
FOLLOW DERI CORFE: Twitter | Instagram
Corfe racked up 2,008 minutes and appeared in 29 matches during the 2021 season.
He led the team with 56 shots and was second on the team with eight goals during the regular season. The 23-year-old from Chester, England, scored the game-winner in the 87th minute of FC Tucson’s 1-0 win over Richmond Kickers in the quarterfinals of the USL League One playoffs.
Corfe signed with FC Tucson in 2021 after spending a year in the USL Championship with the New York Red Bulls II.
FOLLOW DERI CORFE: Twitter | Instagram
Rodriguez appeared in 14 games this season – starting in seven and being substituted on in seven – totaling 680 minutes. He spent most of the season out with an injury, working hard in training to get back into the starting eleven.
His hard work paid off as he racked up three goals, all at crucial moments at the end of the season, helping FC Tucson grab a playoff spot and reach their highest league finish in USL League One.
The 25-year-old from Pasadena, Texas, signed with FC Tucson in 2021 after spending two seasons with Rio Grande Valley FC Toros in the USL Championship.
FOLLOW KEVIN RODRIGUEZ: Twitter | Instagram
Rodriguez appeared in 14 games this season – starting in seven and being substituted on in seven – totaling 680 minutes. He spent most of the season out with an injury, working hard in training to get back into the starting eleven.
His hard work paid off as he racked up three goals, all at crucial moments at the end of the season, helping FC Tucson grab a playoff spot and reach their highest league finish in USL League One.
The 25-year-old from Pasadena, Texas, signed with FC Tucson in 2021 after spending two seasons with Rio Grande Valley FC Toros in the USL Championship.
FOLLOW KEVIN RODRIGUEZ: Twitter | Instagram
João Delgado proved to be the linchpin in the club's midfield finishing the season with a 78% passing accuracy, three assists, two goals, 23 interceptions and 100 duels won.
The 27-year-old from Riachos, Portugal, joined FC Tucson ahead of the 2021 season after playing for Reading United AC of USL League Two in 2019. He will likely miss the beginning of the 2022 season as he recovers from an injury suffered in the quarterfinals against the Richmond Kickers.
The six returning players are the first additions to FC Tucson's 2022 roster.
FOLLOW JOÃO DELGADO: Twitter | Instagram
João Delgado proved to be the linchpin in the club’s midfield finishing the season with a 78% passing accuracy, three assists, two goals, 23 interceptions and 100 duels won.
The 27-year-old from Riachos, Portugal, joined FC Tucson ahead of the 2021 season after playing for Reading United AC of USL League Two in 2019. He will likely miss the beginning of the 2022 season as he recovers from an injury suffered in the quarterfinals against the Richmond Kickers.
The six returning players are the first additions to FC Tucson’s 2022 roster.
