2 New Faces Join Greensboro

Just 3 weeks from the start of the new season, Greensboro has added 2 new players, bringing their offseason total to 4.

Monita Quagliarella, a 32 year old Italian Midfielder was added to Greensboro's roster by way of transfer. Greensboro and Galway FC management reached an agreement to send Quagliarella to Greensboro for a fee of $131,000. The veteran 5'10 middie then agreed to terms on a 5 year contract worth $305,000 a year. In total, Greensboro will pay Quagliarella $1,530,000. Although Quagliarella's new deal pays him a career high, he has always been viewed as underpaid, and his new contract is consistant with that assumption. Similiar players make up to $1,000,000 per year. Quagliarella had spent the first 11 years of his pro career with Galway FC, a succesful Irish team that is consistantly in the top 5, and has won 1 Irish Championship. In his first 7 years, Quagliarella was a fill-in starter, who played 20-28 games each season, but never more than 30.  Over the last 4 years, Quagliarella has seen increased playing time, and has responded by netting double digit goal totals each year, including a career high 18 scores just last season. Quagliarella expects to replace the hole in the Greensboro midfield that Porter Stookey and Manuelle Rochi previously filled. Quagliarella was introduced in a press conference friday and had great things to say "I enjoyed my time with Galway, and had great friends and teammates there. Some people view me coming to Greensboro as a last horrah. However I dont feel like this is the end of the line for me. I signed a 5 year contract and I inted to play the length of that contract and longer. My legs feel great, I have tons of energy, and I am at a great place in my career. I think I can help Greensboro in their climb up the league table."

Colten Quaranta is the 4th player added to the Greensboro roster this offseason. Quarant is a 18 year old prospect from nearby Raleigh, NC. He had signed to play collegiant soccer at UNC-Chapel Hill, but after pro teams came calling, decided to turn pro. On Wednesday, Quaranta signed his first professional contract with Greensboro. The deal is worth $51,000 a year for Quaranta, including a $5,000 bonus. Quaranta agreed to play with the club for the next 5 seasons. In total, Greensboro will owe Quaranta $260,000. Greensboro coach Chris Fields noted that "Quaranta is extremely young, but we see great potential in him, as shown by our 5 year commitment to him." The Raleigh native is a defensive minded midfielder, who will see limited playing time behind an experienced midfield core in his initial seasons.

Offseason Additions

5 weeks prior to the start of season 17, Greensboro FC has made 2 signings.

Farrell O'Regan, a 29 year old Striker out of Ireland, inked a 5 year deal worth $300,000 a season. Including a small bonus, Greensboro will pay a total of $1,505,000 over the next 5 seasons. Irish FC, 3 time winner of the Irish League, previously enjoyed the services of O'Regan. Even though O'Regan's first professional contract was with Italian side AS Venom, O'Regan moved to Irish FC after 1 year with Venom and remained with Irish FC for the last 8 years. "I enjoyed playing in my home country for a great side, and will miss all of my Irish FC lads greatly", stated O'Regan. The 6'1 Striker enjoyed a great deal of success on the pitch while playing for Irish FC. He scored over 30 goals 4 times, including a career high 36 in season 13. In his other 4 seasons he was no slouch. He netted 11 in his first season, only playing in 18 games, netted 19 in 2 other campaigns, and then added 23 last season for a career total of  203 career goals, 201 for Irish. "All great things must come to an end, and playing with Irish FC was certainly great, but I am looking forward to even more success while playing for Greensboro".

Matteo Geovinco, a 20 year old Italian Defender is the second signing of Greensboro's offseason. Greensboro management was able to succesfully negotiate with Old Boys FC to apprehend the services of Geovinco. Old Boys recieved a small transfer fee of $21,000 from Greensboro, and Greensboro also agreed to pay Geovinco $60,000 a year over a 5 year contract. Geovinco only played 2 years for Old Boys, for which he signed his first professional contract. The prospect defender appeared in 24 games his first year, and 12 his second due to Old Boys upgrading their defence. Even though he has only netted 1 career goal, Geovinco is a skilled player who can occasionally play in the midfield, and is a dangerous player in the opposing team's box because of his towering 6'5 frame. "I am greatful to Greensboro for showing faith in my development as a player, and happy that they felt the need to negotiate a transfer for my services. I look forward to helping this club improve its results and become a power in the USA League."

Season 16 Over

After a 3-1 Win over the Minnesota Torpedos, Greensboro FC finished up season 16 in 7th place in the USA League. Greensboro's overall record was 24-4-10. You can find overall stats and game box scores here. Even though Greensboro finished the season in the same place in the league table as last year, there are several notable improvements and signs that the club is ready to make the next step. Greensboro set team records in Wins, Points, Goal Differential, Goals For, and Least Goals Allowed. The Vipers should have 10 of 11 starters returning next season, everyone except 35 year old Striker Riccardo Budel. In terms of other notables for the season, Greensboro finished 8th in average attendance, with just over 32000 Viper faithfull attending each match, including a crowd of over 37000 for the Vipers home match against Chelsea USA. Free agent signee Jason Calinan led the team in goals, with 23, his first 20+ goal scoring season. Veteran Striker Riccardo Budel added 21, and longtime Viper Juwan Sturgis put 15 in the back of the net. Midfielder Grossa Luca scored 12 times from his Left Mid position, a career high. Luca's oppositte midfielder Thomas Quilligan netted 11 goals. Star defender AaronJames Sequeba came forward to score 11 goals, also a career high. Sequeba has now scored at least 8 goals in his last 4 seasons. Forward Muhammed Wilmot came off the bench to score 10 goals on the season, making him the 7th double digit goalscorer on the season for the Vipers. Defensive midfielder River La Rosa led the team in Appearances as well as Minutes Played, with just over 3000. Janiel Veldon wrapped up another stellar season between the pipes for Greensboro, allowing a career low number of goals. After the game, Manager/GM/Owner Chris Fields and all the Greensboro players applauded the Greensboro Crowd, and went into the stands of the Snake Pit to celebrate the season with Greensboro most loyal and rowdy fans. It is clear that this season will be one to remember. In conclusion, let us remember Midfielder Porter Stookey, whose career was ended prematurally this season. Stookey emboided everything Greensboro FC has become known for, and his, as well as the rest of this years teams contributions will never be forgotten.