San Antonio FC today announced that midfielders Miguel Salazar and Victor Araujo will return to the club for the 2017 USL season. Per club policy, terms of the contracts were not disclosed.
Salazar joined SAFC prior to the start of the 2016 season and went on to make 24 appearances and 18 starts, playing a total of 1,592 minutes of USL action. After not starting for San Antonio’s first eight USL matches in 2016, Salazar became a mainstay in the lineup, starting 18 of the final 22 league matches of the season.
Salazar played 90 minutes in 13 of his 18 league starts and ranked seventh on the club in total USL minutes played. The Tucson native also started and played 90 minutes in one U.S. Open Cup match last season.
“We are very happy to have Miggy return for next season,” said SAFC Head Coach Darren Powell. “We thought he had a very solid rookie season. A lot of his work goes unnoticed and he’s a guy that can help build from the back and also organize and defend in the central midfield area. We look forward to seeing improvement from him and hopefully he can sustain a good level of form throughout 2017.”
Prior to joining the Alamo City club, Salazar played the previous four years at Elon University. Salazar earned Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) first team honors after his senior season in 2015 when he helped lead the Phoenix to a CAA regular season title and third NCAA tournament appearance in four years.
The 22-year-old played under Powell for two years at Elon University from 2012-13 where the pair helped the Phoenix win back-to-back Southern Conference Tournament titles.
“I’m very happy and grateful to be back with San Antonio FC for the 2017 season,” said Salazar. I’m looking forward to building on last year and helping this city have a very successful team for the upcoming season.”
Araujo played in 11 USL matches last season, starting three and tallying 382 total minutes played before suffering a season-ending knee injury on June 18. The 25-year-old scored one goal and tallied an assist in 2016 while also recording nine shots and three shots on goal. Araujo also appeared in three U.S. Open Cup matches, compiling 162 minutes and four total shots.
“Victor is a highly-skilled player who unfortunately tore his ACL last season just as he was hitting top form,” said Powell. “He’s been working hard since his operation and his progress has been very good. We look forward to seeing him hit the ground running come preseason.”
Araujo was a Division III All-American while attending Trinity University in San Antonio, scoring 20 goals and recording 18 assists in 43 total games with the Tigers from 2013-15. Originally from Brazil, Araujo also spent time playing professionally in the second division of Belgium prior to moving to San Antonio to attend Trinity.
“San Antonio is the first and only American city I have lived in,” said Araujo. “I went to school here and it feels like home to me. I was devastated to suffer an injury last season, however the fans and the SAFC staff have given me so much support and I feel blessed to be back next season. Next year, fans can expect me to be stronger and ready to give my all during the season.”
San Antonio FC is currently prepping for its second season in the USL, which is scheduled to kick-off in the Spring. Fans interested in season tickets can contact the SAFC sales office at 210-444-5MLS or visit www.sanantoniofc.com.
Supporters can follow the club by liking San Antonio FC on Facebook, as well as following the team on Twitter (@SanAntonioFC), Instagram (@sanantoniofc) and Snapchat (@SanAntonioFC).
San Antonio FC today announced that midfielders Miguel Salazar and Victor Araujo will return to the club for the 2017 USL season. Per club policy, terms of the contracts were not disclosed.
Salazar joined SAFC prior to the start of the 2016 season and went on to make 24 appearances and 18 starts, playing a total of 1,592 minutes of USL action. After not starting for San Antonio’s first eight USL matches in 2016, Salazar became a mainstay in the lineup, starting 18 of the final 22 league matches of the season.
Salazar played 90 minutes in 13 of his 18 league starts and ranked seventh on the club in total USL minutes played. The Tucson native also started and played 90 minutes in one U.S. Open Cup match last season.
“We are very happy to have Miggy return for next season,” said SAFC Head Coach Darren Powell. “We thought he had a very solid rookie season. A lot of his work goes unnoticed and he’s a guy that can help build from the back and also organize and defend in the central midfield area. We look forward to seeing improvement from him and hopefully he can sustain a good level of form throughout 2017.”
Prior to joining the Alamo City club, Salazar played the previous four years at Elon University. Salazar earned Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) first team honors after his senior season in 2015 when he helped lead the Phoenix to a CAA regular season title and third NCAA tournament appearance in four years.
The 22-year-old played under Powell for two years at Elon University from 2012-13 where the pair helped the Phoenix win back-to-back Southern Conference Tournament titles.
“I’m very happy and grateful to be back with San Antonio FC for the 2017 season,” said Salazar. I’m looking forward to building on last year and helping this city have a very successful team for the upcoming season.”
Araujo played in 11 USL matches last season, starting three and tallying 382 total minutes played before suffering a season-ending knee injury on June 18. The 25-year-old scored one goal and tallied an assist in 2016 while also recording nine shots and three shots on goal. Araujo also appeared in three U.S. Open Cup matches, compiling 162 minutes and four total shots.
“Victor is a highly-skilled player who unfortunately tore his ACL last season just as he was hitting top form,” said Powell. “He’s been working hard since his operation and his progress has been very good. We look forward to seeing him hit the ground running come preseason.”
Araujo was a Division III All-American while attending Trinity University in San Antonio, scoring 20 goals and recording 18 assists in 43 total games with the Tigers from 2013-15. Originally from Brazil, Araujo also spent time playing professionally in the second division of Belgium prior to moving to San Antonio to attend Trinity.
“San Antonio is the first and only American city I have lived in,” said Araujo. “I went to school here and it feels like home to me. I was devastated to suffer an injury last season, however the fans and the SAFC staff have given me so much support and I feel blessed to be back next season. Next year, fans can expect me to be stronger and ready to give my all during the season.”
San Antonio FC is currently prepping for its second season in the USL, which is scheduled to kick-off in the Spring. Fans interested in season tickets can contact the SAFC sales office at 210-444-5MLS or visit www.sanantoniofc.com.
Supporters can follow the club by liking San Antonio FC on Facebook, as well as following the team on Twitter (@SanAntonioFC), Instagram (@sanantoniofc) and Snapchat (@SanAntonioFC).