Along with a new brand identity, San Antonio FC announced four new additions to their roster on Thursday night. Former Scorpions midfielder Rafael Castillo and goalkeeper Matt Cardone along with two San Antonio college graduates Victor Araujo, and Max Gunderson.
Castillo spent the last two seasons with the Scorpions, leading the team to the 2014 NASL Championship. He was named Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the Championship match after a bicycle kick goal that would stand as the game-winner.
He scored 17 goals in 46 matches from 2014-2015.
“Rafa is a fantastic and exciting player,” said SAFC Head Coach Darren Powell. “We are very honored to have him in San Antonio and I’m looking forward to working with him. He’s very passionate about the game and he loves this city, so he’s ready to be a leader and use his experience to help all players on this team.”
Both Cardone and Araujo are graduates from Trinity University. Cordone joins San Antonio FC after spending the 2015 campaign with the San Antonio Scorpions of the North American Soccer League. The goalkeeper made three starts during his lone season with the Red and Black.
Araujo is a midfielder who tallied 20 goals and recorded 18 assists in 43 matches with Trinity last year. The Division III All-American spent time with the second division Belgium before playing with Trinity.
“Victor is a very exciting young prospect with some very good attacking tendencies,” said Powell. “He can deliver good passes and unlock defenses from midfield.”
Gunderson is a graduate of the University of the Incarnate Word and spent last season with the Austin Aztex. The 26-year-old tallied two assists in 27 matches with Austin and prior to that spent time with OKC Energy.
“Max is a player who has experience in the USL and has done well in the league for multiple clubs,” Powell said. “He will bring us good defensive depth as we build our roster for the upcoming season.”
San Antonio FC will open their first season in the Alamo City on the road April 3 against the Seattle Sounders 2 before returning home for their home opener on April 9 against the Swope Park Rangers at Toyota Field.
