2021 Nor'easters in the Pros Report

Nor'easter alums have made an impact at every level, overseas, and at the beach!

2021 Nor'easters in the Pros Report

With the 2022 pro outdoor season set to begin here in the United States, and the indoor season continuing, it's time to take a look at how all of our former Ocean City Nor'easters are currently performing at the professional level (in alphabetical order).

MORE: 2021 Nor'easters College Report

Bakary Bagayoko (Cumberland & Lipscomb / Bronx, NY)
Ocean City 2021
Sporting Kansas City II (MLS Next Pro)

After spending his final college season with Lipscomb University and helping the Bison reach the NCAA tournament, Bagayoko used that momentum to earn his first professional contract. In February, Bagayoko signed with Sporting Kansas City II who will be competing in the newly-launched MLS Next Pro league.

Akeil Barrett (Akron & Tulsa / Kingston, Jamaica)
Ocean City 2017
Free Agent

After playing in the Antigua and Barbuda Premier Division in 2018, Barrett returned stateside to play professionally in the city where he went to college at the University of Tulsa. Barrett signed with the Tulsa Roughnecks of the USL Championship, which later rebranded to FC Tulsa. Unfortunately, Barrett suffered an injury that required surgery but now that he’s back to 100 percent, he’s looking for a new club.

Simon Becher (St. Louis Univ. / Brooklyn, CT)
Ocean City 2021
Vancouver Whitecaps FC (MLS)

Not many players had a better 2021 than Simon Becher. Becher had an impressive season with the Nor'easters boasting a team-leading 11 regular season goals, and added one more in the USL League Two playoffs to finish with 12 in 14 games across all competitions. His 11 regular season goals were tied for third-most in USL-2. Out of those 12 goals, six of them were game-winning goals, the most of any player in the league. He a shoo-in for Ocean City’s Offensive Player of the Year. Becher carried the momentum from the USL-2 season into his third season at Saint Louis University. He led the Billikens offense, which finished the regular season as the only undefeated team in the country. Becher was a MAC Hermann Trophy Semifinalist as he finished second in the nation in scoring with 14 goals, 10 assists (38 points). He finished as the only player in the country with double digit goals and assists.

Becher was chosen in the First Round (16th overall) in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft  by the Vancouver Whitecaps FC



Donald Benamna (San Diego State / San Jacinto College / Central Arkansas / Bangui, Central Africa Republic)

Ocean City 2016
Free Agent (Prev: Stumptown Athletic - NISA)

Donald Benamna signed with Stumptown Athletic for their inaugural season in the Division 3 professional National Independent Soccer Association (NISA). In the league's Fall Showcase event, Benamna helped Stumptown reach the championship game where they fell to Miami FC. Benamna scored a pair of goals in the competition. Benamna also played for the team during the 2020 season, but is currently a free agent and is looking for a new club.



Nate Bourdeau (Rutgers / Baldwinsville, NY)
Ocean City 2012
Utica City FC (MASL)

Nate Bourdeau has kicked off his 10th season of indoor soccer as he is back with Utica City FC.

After his third straight year of scoring more than 20 points in a season (11 goals, 13 assists, 24 points) in 2019/20 and was named to the 2020 MASL All-Star Game. Nate played for the Florida Tropics in 2021 but returned to Utica City for the 2021/22 season. So far the team is 3-10-0 and Bourdeau is tied for the team lead in scoring with six goals and four assists in 13 games.



Deri Corfe (Wright State & Univ. of Rio Grande / Chester, England)

Ocean City 2019
FC Tucson (USL League One)

Deri Corfe had a breakout season with FC Tucson last year and is hoping to build on that in 2022. The 2019 USL League Two MVP was drafted in the Second Round (41st overall) of the MLS SuperDraft by the New York Red Bulls and spent his first pro season with the New York Red Bulls II (USL Championship) in 2020 where he scored two goals in 11 appearances. However, he made his mark out west with FC Tucson (USL League One) in 2021. Corfe played in nearly every game for the club, scoring eight goals, which is tied for second most on the team. The former Wright State star led the team in shots and shots on target and has been re-signed for the 2022 season. 


Emil Cuello (SMU / Orem, Utah)

Ocean City 2016
Sacramento Republic FC (USL Championship)

After spending his first two seasons with the Los Angeles Galaxy, Cuello moved to the USL Championship where he signed with San Antonio FC prior to the 2021 season. Midway through the season Cuello was involved in a loan swap with the Sacramento Republic, who sent a former Nor’easters player Mitchell Taintor back to San Antonio. Between the two clubs Cuello played in 30 games, starting 21, with three goals and five assists and he led the team in chances created. He was also fifth on the team in passing accuracy (75.8%) and fourth on the team in duels won.

After the season was over, Sacramento signed him to a permanent contract for the 2022 season.



Tony Donatelli (Temple / Glenside, PA)

Ocean City 2004-05
Baltimore Blast (MASL)

Out of the nearly 100 Ocean City players who have moved on to play professionally, Tony Donatelli has won the most trophies. By far. In 2018, he helped the Baltimore Blast win the Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) championship for the third year in a row. That was the Temple University alum’s eighth professional championship, five of them with indoor teams (2007 Philadelphia Kixx, 2012/13 Baltimore Blast, 2015/16 Baltimore Blast, 2016/17 Baltimore Blast, 2017/18 Baltimore Blast) and the other three came outdoors in the United Soccer League (2006 Vancouver Whitecaps, 2009 Montreal Impact, 2012 Charleston Battery).

Donatelli is back again as captain of the Blast in 2021/22 and has the team off to a good start with a 7-5-0 record. Tony has played in all 12 games so far this season, scoring 12 goals, which is tied for second on the team. He's also chipped in six assists.

Stephen Elias (NC State & Seton Hall / Rye, NY)
Ocean City 2017
Valley United FC (NISA)

After spending four years at NC State, and enjoying a grad year at Seton Hall, Stephen Elias is making the jump to the pros. Elias signed with Valley United FC of NISA just ahead of the 2022 spring season.

Gustavo Fernandes (Stony Brook / West Babylon, NY)
Ocean City 2019
North Carolina FC (USL League One)

Gustavo Fernandes’ first professional job took him to Wisconsin where he became a regular for USL League One’s Forward Madison. He was described as the club’s “Swiss Army Knife” for his versatility. The Stony Brook University alum played anywhere on the backline for Forward Madison, as well as in the midfield. Last year, he started 14 of the 15 games he played in but his contract wasn’t renewed for 2022, so he signed with North Carolina FC.



Khesanio Hall (Northeastern & Oklahoma Wesleyan / Santa Cruz, Jamaica)

Ocean City 2015
Free Agent (Prev: Stumptown AC - NISA)

After a successful college career that saw him represent Oklahoma Wesleyan and Northeastern University, Hall signed with Stumptown AC (NISA) in 2021, but after he played one season with them, the club announced that they would be going on hiatus. In the meantime, Hall has shifted his focus from playing to coaching as he is working for a club in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Mike Hartmann (Caldwell College / Medford, NJ)

Ocean City 2015
Oskarshamns AIK (Swedish Sodra - First Division, 3rd tier)

Hartmann started his Scandinavian adventure in Sweden with FC Linkoping City where he spent three seasons. After moving to FC Haka in Finland, he returned to Sweden to play for Oskarshamns AIK. This past season, th Medford, N.J. native was a major part of the club’s push to be promoted. The club finished with a 16-8-6 record in Sweden’s Sodra (First Division, 3rd tier), finishing just three points short of promotion. Hartmann started 25 of the team’s 30 matches, allowing 26 goals and earning eight clean sheets and a save percentage of 81%. He was also named the Team MVP by a local media outlet.



Max Hemmings (Georgia State / Wokingham, England)

Ocean City 2017-18
Galway United (League of Ireland First Division)

Max Hemmings has enjoyed plenty of success in his first three seasons as a pro. Hemmings signed his first pro contract with the Greenville Triumph of USL League One. After falling short in the league championship game in the club’s inaugural season in 2019, Greenville were regular season champs in 2020 (playoff was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic).



This past season, Hemmings started 24 of the 27 games he played in, adding one assist and finishing fourth on the team in minutes played (2,215). Greenville, under their head coach, Hall of Famer John Harkes, finished in second place behind last year’s runner-up Union Omaha. In the playoffs, the two top teams would meet in the championship game with Union winning 3-0.

In February, Hemmings and Greenville mutually agreed to part ways as Max headed back across the ocean to sign with League of Ireland First Division side Galway United.

Anthony Herbert (St. John's & FDU / Brooklyn, NY)
Ocean City 2021
FC Haka (Finland)

After an impressive final season at St. John's, Herbert is heading over to Finland to play for FC Haka in the country's top division. The defender will be the second Ocean City alum to play for FC Haka, joining Mike Hartmann, who played for them in 2020.

Brendan Hines-Ike (South Florida & Creighton / Denver, CO)
Ocean City 2014
D.C. United (MLS)

Hines-Ike was drafted by the Montreal Impact of Major League Soccer in 2016, but turned down the offer to sign with Orebro SK in the top division of Sweden. (Allsvenskan). After his breakout performance with Orebro SK (t3 goals, 4 assists in 70 appearances in 2 seasons), he made the switch to the Belgian First Division where KV Kortrijk broke the club’s transfer fee record to acquire him. After establishing himself with KV Kortrijk, he was loaned out to D.C. United where he spent the 2021 MLS season. Hines-Ike made a big impact in his MLS debut, scoring an incredible goal against New York City FC (SEE VIDEO). A hip injury slowed him down in his first season with the Black-and-Red, making 13 appearances (12 starts). Brendan signed a two-year contract with D.C. through the 2023 season, with options for 2024 and 2025.



Richardo Israel (Cincinnati / Freetown, Jamaica)
Ocean City 2013, 2015
Stumptown AC (NISA) & Cincinnati Swerve (MASL)

Richardo Israel stayed in the city where he went to college -- Cincinnati -- to play indoor soccer for the Cincinnati Swerve of the MASL. Israel has been a mainstay with the Swerve since 2017 in the Second Division of the Major Indoor Soccer League. Since 2019, Israel has played outdoor soccer with Stumptown AC of the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA) and plans to be back with the club in 2022. While staying active as a player, Israel is also making a career as a coach. He started the company Breakthrough Soccer Academy which has branches in North Carolina and Ohio and continues to grow.

Logan Ketterer (Bradley / Racine, WI)
Ocean City 2016
CF Montreal (MLS)

Kettterer has come a long way since being drafted by the Columbus Crew (MLS) in 2017. There he saw limited playing time backing up U.S. international (and current Manchester City) goalkeeper Zack Steffen.

Ketterer signed with USL Championship expansion side El Paso Locomotive FC in 2019, earned the starting job and never let it go. He led the Locomotive to a playoff berth in the club’s inaugural season and after amassing a resume that included 22 clean sheets in 55 appearances, he caught the eye of the Portland Timbers of MLS at the beginning of the 2021 season. The Bradley University alum went on loan to the Timbers, who had a string of goalkeeper injuries, and Ketterer shined in three appearances with the club. He earned two clean sheets, including a 2-0 win over the San Jose Earthquakes on May 15, 2021 where he also saved a penalty kick against MLS’ all-time leading goalscorer Chris Wondolowski. He was also in net for a 3-0 home win over the Los Angeles Galaxy.

With the Timbers goalkeepers healthy again, Ketterer returned to El Paso where he continued to play well, making 28 appearances and earning 9 clean sheets (tied for third-most in the league). Ketterer helped the Locomotive get back to the playoffs, finishing in second place in the Western Conference with an 18-4-10 record. They would suffer an upset loss in the first round of the playoffs to the Oakland Roots.

Surprisingly, after three seasons with El Paso, the club announced that Ketterer would not be returning next season. It didn't take long for him to find a new home as he has returned to Major League Soccer where he signed with CF Montreal.





Eric Klenofsky (Monmouth / Lincoln Park, NJ)

Ocean City 2014-2015
Retired - Goalkeeper Coach at Univ. of South Florida

After being drafted by D.C. United, Eric Klenofsky went on to play for the Richmond Kickers before moving to Israel to play with Hapoel Marmorek FC. After returning to North America to play with Toronto FC II, he went on loan to the Tacoma Defiance. After the 2020 season, Klenofsky found his calling in coaching. Klenofsky hung up his boots and goalkeeper gloves and accepted a job as the goalkeeper coach with the University of South Florida.



Jacob Labovitz (Virginia Tech & FDU / Great Falls, VA)

Ocean City 2018
Greenville Triumph (USL League One)

Labovitz led Virginia Tech in scoring (9 goals, 4 assists) and was a First Team All-ACC selection in his final season with the Hokies. He carried that momentum into the offseason where he signed with Geenville Triumph of USL League One. There he will join former Ocean City teammate (2018) Max Hemmings, who has been playing for Greenville since 2019.

Markhus “Duke” LaCroix (Pennsylvania / New Egypt, NJ)
Ocean City 2012-13
Sacramento Republic FC (USL Championship)

After an injury slowed him down in 2017, Markhus “Duke” LaCroix got his career back on track with Reno 1868 FC. After two productive seasons (2018-19), LaCroix went back east and signed with the Charlotte Independence for the 2020 season. He would head back out west to sign with the Sacramento Republic ahead of the 2021 season. LaCroix, who has made a living at the professional level as an outside back, was second on the team in assists (5), and was second on the team in blocks, interceptions, tackles won, and third in duels won. The Republic would finish the season with four straight draws and ultimately find themselves just five points short of qualifying for the playoffs. Duke has also been doing some great things in the art world, designing a scarf inspired by Black History Month.

Issey Maholo (Boston College / Tokyo, Japan)
Ocean City 2006
Hong Kong FC (Hong Kong First Division)

Investment banker Issey Maholo has continued to moonlight as a goalkeeper in Hong Kong. Unfortunately, Hong Kong is under what Issey calls a “soft lockdown” due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Gyms, studios, schools are shut down. No sports are allowed, so the league is on hold until further notice.

After the 2017/18 season, his club Kwung Tong FA was relegated to the Second Division, and since foreign players are not allowed on Second Division rosters, Maholo had to find a new club. The Boston College graduate signed with Metro Gallery FC and spent three seasons there, suffering through several shutdowns, game postponements due to the pandemic and other disruptions from political protests.

Maholo has suffered a few injuries in recent years which has limited his playing time. This offseason he returned to his old club, Hong Kong FC in the Premier League where he plans to get his fitness back playing for the team’s Under-20 side as an overage player. The goal is to continue to train with the first team and get some game experience with the U-20s so he can work back to full health and return to the senior team lineup. (STORY ABOUT ISSEY MAHOLO FROM 2015)

Abdul Mansaray (Wilmington University / London, England)
Ocean City 2018
Ontario Fury (MASL)

Abdul Mansaray is back playing indoor soccer for the Ontario Fury for the second year in a row. The Wilmington University alum played in eight games in all competitions, scoring two goals and an assist. One of those goals was in the playoffs. In the current season, Mansaray already has nine games under his belt with a goal and an assist on his resume. The Fury are in second place in the West Division with a 7-4-2 record. Once the indoor season is over, he will be looking for an outdoor team to sign with.

Leon Maric (St. Joseph’s & Virginia / Gilbertsville, PA)
Ocean City 2019
Michigan Stars FC (NISA)

Leon Maric, who played for the Nor’easters in 2019, played for division rival West Chester United in 2021 and actually scored a goal against Ocean City (Nor’easters won 2-1 on May 23). After scoring four goals and dishing out three assists for West Chester United, he signed with NISA side Michigan Stars FC who play their home games in the Detroit area. Maric scored in his Stars debut en route to leading the team in scoring with five goals and one assist in 18 games played (all starts) in the fall season.



John McCarthy (La Salle / Cinnaminson, NJ)

Ocean City 2011-12
Los Angeles FC (MLS)

In his second season with David Beckham’s Inter Miami CF (MLS), McCarthy’s playing time increased as he split time with Dutch goalkeeper Nick Marsman. McCarthy played in 13 games for Miami who had a tough season, finishing seven points shy of a playoff spot. After the season, Miami announced that McCarthy would not be re-signed, making him a free agent. His free agency didn’t last long, as he signed with Los Angeles Football Club of MLS, making him the second Ocean City alum to sign with LAFC (Tyler Miller).



Felix Metzler (UConn / Frankfurt, Germany)

Ocean City 2021
Viktoria Aschaffenburg (Germany)

After another strong season at UConn, Metzler returned to his home country of Germany to play for Viktoria Aschaffenburg who competed in the Regionalliga Bayern (fourth tier) of German football.

Keegan Meyer (High Point / Silver Spring, MD)

Ocean City 2019
Loudoun United (USL Championship)

After being drafted by the New England Revolution in the Second Round (43rd overall) of the 2020 MLS SuperDraft, Meyer would play his first professional season with the New England Revolution II of USL League One. In year two, he moved to D.C. United affiliate Loudoun United. He started three games for the USL Championship side while splitting time with three other goalkeepers.

Steven Miller (Colgate / Ivyland, PA)
Ocean City 2008-09, 2011
Retired (Prev: North Carolina FC - USL Championship)

After 200 games in almost a decade of professional soccer, Steven Miller called it a career. The majority of those years were spent in a North Carolina FC uniform. The Colgate University alum made the announcement after the 2020 season. He is now moving on to the coaching ranks.

Miller started his career playing for Blokhus FC in the Danish Second Division before returning stateside to play for the Wilmington Hammerheads in 2014. He moved on to FC Tulsa (then known as the Tulsa Roughnecks) and went on loan to the Carolina RailHawks (now known as North Carolina FC). That loan was the beginning of a great run as Miller became a mainstay in the NCFC roster over the next six years, logging 10,002 minutes in 128 games. He would finish his North Carolina career ranked third all-time in assists and eighth all-time in goals, and when he retired, he was the longest-tenured player in club history.



Tyler Miller (Northwestern / Woodbury, NJ)

Ocean City 2012
Minnesota United FC (MLS)

After missing the second half of the 2020 MLS season while recovering from hip surgery, Tyler Miller returned to Minnesota United for the 2021 season. However, the team decided to go with up-and-coming Canadian international Dayne St. Clair as they starter to begin the season. However, after United found themselves with an 0-4 record, the Loons returned the starting job to Miller, and he never let it go. The Woodbury, N.J. native started 30 games, earning 11 clean sheets which was the second-highest total in the league.

However, after helping they team overcome an 0-4 start and make the playoffs for the third year in a row, Miller suffered some bad luck. Shortly before the club’s first playoff game in the conference semifinals against the Portland Timbers, Miller tested positive for COVID-19 and was forced to miss the game. The Loons would fall 3-1 on the road against the Timbers, a team that Minnesota had defeated in both regular season meetings.



Spencer Moeller (Memphis & Monmouth & Lindsey Wilson / Bradenton, FL)

Ocean City 2015
Free Agent (Prev: Los Angeles Force FC)

If you have followed Spencer Moeller over the years, you know that he has a passion, and a talent, for the sport of soccer. But he also has a passion and a talent for video and content creation on social media. After spending the 2020 season with Los Angeles Force FC (NISA), Moeller took a break from soccer and has focused his energy on staying in shape and creating videos to shine a light on the sport of soccer and the players who play it. You can check out his YouTube channel which, at last count, has more than 38,000 subscribers. He announced he has leaving YouTube and has some big plans in the works, both on and off the field. Stay tuned!



Fredlin "Fredinho" Mompremier (Fairleigh Dickinson / Limbe, Haiti)

Ocean City 2017-18
Free Agent (Prev: FC Sfîntul Gheorghe in Moldovan National Division)

After playing for Sporting Kansas City II in the USL Championship in 2020, Fredlin “Fredinho” Mompremier opted for a change of scenery: Moldova. Mompremier, who was the Nor’easters 2017 Offensive Player of the Year and the 2018 Nor’easter Award winner, spent time with FC Tulsa (USL Championship) before heading to Moldova in Eastern Europe. Mompremier played for FC Sfîntul Gheorghe from July until November 2021 before returning back to the United States where he is currently looking for a new club. .



Mutaya Mwape (Lindsey Wilson / Lusaka, Zambia)

Ocean City 2016
Free Agent (Prev: Richmond Kickers - USL League One)

After Mutaya Mwape helped the Nor’easters reach the PDL (USL League Two) national semifinals in 2016, he moved on and helped the Charlotte Eagles win the PDL championship in 2017. Mwape's performance caught the eye of the USL’s ‘Charlotte Independence which is where he played during the 2018 season. In 2019, he found a new home with the Richmond Kickers of USL League One, scoring a pair of goals in 23 league games. After focusiing on his growing family during the pandemic, Mwape is back to playing and is looking for a new club in 2022.



Yannik Oettl (Central Florida / Munich, Germany)

Ocean City 2021
New England Revolution II (MLS Next Pro)

Goalkeeper Yannik Oettl had to leave the Nor’easters midseason during the 2021 USL League Two campaign, but the University of Central Florida star had a good excuse. The New England Revolution wanted to sign him. Well, the New England Revolution II to be exact. Oettl signed with the club in late July and made three appearances for the Revs in USL League One down the stretch.

Jeremy Ortiz (La Salle / Mt. Laurel, NJ)
Ocean City 2006-08
Philadelphia Spartans (MASL)

Back in 2019, it looked like Jeremy Ortiz might be ready to hang up his boots. However, he found himself getting pulled back in to play a couple more seasons for the Rochester Lancers. He was also honored with a spot on the Lancers’ Wall of Fame, but now, Ortiz seems a little closer to hanging up those boots as he starts to transition into coaching. Ortiz said goodbye to Rochester and returned home to the Philadelphia area to sign with the expansion Philadelphia Spartans in the third division of the Major Arena Soccer League. The former La Salle standout will be the team’s player/coach in their inaugural season in 2022.



Nicolas Perea (Syracuse / Hollywood, FL)

Ocean City 2013
U.S. Men’s Beach Soccer National Team

After his contract ended with Indy Eleven (USL Championship) in the fall of 2019, Nicolas Perea was looking for a new club. In the meantime, he played in a beach soccer exhibition game against an all-star team from the Bahamas. His performance led to a connection with the U.S. Men’s Beach Soccer National Team (USMBSNT) head coach, who invited him to a domestic camp. After training with the team, an opportunity presented itself for him to take part in the newly-formed National Beach Soccer League (NBSL).

Perea became a regular in the USMBSNT lineup and made a big impact on the team in 2021. As a defender, Perea helped the team to a runner-up finish at the CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship which qualified the United States for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup for the second straight tournament. The Syracuse alum scored seven goals last season (3 in World Cup qualifying, 4 in World Cup play), including at least one goal in each of the team’s three World Cup matches in Russia.

As a result, Perea was named US Soccer’s Beach Male Player of the Year.

Ryan Peterson (NC State / Rutgers / Budd Lake, NJ)
Ocean City 2015
Free Agent (Prev: 1904 FC - NISA)

Since graduating from NC State (by way of Rutgers University), Peterson has made the rounds in the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA). This past season, he suited up for his third NISA club, 1904 FC in San Diego. Peterson previously played for Detroit City FC in 2019, helping them win the NPSL Members Cup tournament, before returning to his home state of New Jersey to play for FC Motown of the NPSL. Peterson scored eight goals, earning All-Region honors and helping Motown reach the regional and then joined Stumptown AC in January of 2020. Later that year, he would return to Detroit City and help the club win the NISA fall season championship, before joining FC Motown for the summer season in 2021. Peterson would score eight goals while helping FC Motown reach the regional final. He earned all-region honors.

This past fall, Peterson headed west to sign with his third NISA team, 1904 FC. He played in six games for 1904 FC, scoring a pair of goals and adding two assists. With the new season just around the corner, he is looking for a new team.



Claudio Repetto (Coastal Carolina & Grand Valley Univ. / Genova, Italy)
Ocean City 2019
Charleston Battery (USL Championship)

Not many Nor’easter alums had as big of an immediate impact in their pro debut season than Claudio Repetto. The former Coastal Carolina star, and the Nor’easters’ second leading scorer in 2019, signed with the Charleston Battery (USL Championship) in June when the team was six games into the season. Despite the late start to the season, Repetto finished as the team’s leading scorer in just 24 appearances. Repetto scored nine goals and added three assists, including an impressive goal that ended up on making the SportsCenter Top 10 list. As a result, Repetto was named the Battery’s Offensive Player of the Year and was voted the Newcomer of the Year and earned himself a contract for the 2022 season. However, shortly before the start of the 2022 season, it was announced that Repetto was being transferred from Charleston to Phoenix Rising FC, a USL Championship club part-owned by soccer legend Didier Drogba.



Dominic Samuel (Southern New Hampshire / Toronto, Ontario)
Ocean City 2014
Forge FC (Canadian Premier League)

Dominic Samuel, a two-time League 1 Ontario Defender of the Year, has firmly established himself on the backline for Forge FC in the Canadian Premier League (CPL). In his third season with the club, Samuel played in 28 games for Forge FC (including the playoffs). The versatile defender, who mostly plays center back, but has also played out on the outside for the club in the past, led the team in blocks (13) and aerial duels won (44) and ranked third in clearances (38) and helped the club lead the league in fewest goals allowed. After a successful 2021 season, the CPL website put him 50th in the league’s “CPL50” list where they ranked the Top 50 players in the entire league as voted on by coaches and members of the media. Recently, the club announced that Samuel has been signed to a multi-year contract extension.

Jimmy Slayton (Hartford / Wethersfield, CT)
Ocean City 2017-2018
Real Monarchs SLC (USL Championship)

Jimmy Slayton spent his second season with Real Monarchs, splitting time with a number of goalkeepers. In 2020, he started 11 games and earned one clean sheet. Last year, Slayton made four appearances, earning another clean sheet.and he also saved another penalty kick.



Alec Smir (North Carolina / Greensboro, NC)
Ocean City 2018
FC Dallas (MLS)

Alec Smir was the youngest on a talented goalkeeping trio on the 2018 Ocean City Nor'easters team led by head coach (and current Technical Director) John Thompson. The Greensboro, N.C. native split time with Todd Morton and Jimmy Slayton, both of which went on to play professionally. Now Smir is moving on to the pros.

Smir’s final season with North Carolina capped off an impressive career and led to him getting drafted in the Third Round (62nd overall) in the MLS SuperDraft by FC Dallas. Smir started every game for UNC, playing in all but 18 minutes. He finished with a 1.03 goals against average, which ranked third in the ACC, along with a conference-leading 10 shutouts (ranked fourth nationally). Smir was named a Second-Team All-Region selection and a First-Team All-ACC selection. He is also one of two players in UNC history to earn double digit clean sheets in back-to-back seasons.


Raheem Somersall (Florida Gulf Coast & Appalachian State / Basseterre, St. Kitts)

Ocean City 2016
North Carolina FC (USL League One)

Raheem Somersall has signed with his third club in the last four years, landing with North Carolina FC for the 2022 season. The Saint Kitts and Nevis international began his pro career with FC Tucson in 2019. After two seasons with the USL League One side, Somersall headed east to sign with South Georgia Tormenta FC (USL League One). After 20 appearances with Tormenta, Somersall signed with North Carolina FC (USL League One) in December of 2021.
 


Nick Spielman (East Tennessee State / Melbourne, FL)

Ocean City 2017
Chattanooga FC (NISA)

Nick Spielman has been a regular on the backline for Chattanooga FC the last three seasons in the National Independent Soccer Association. Spielman started every match during the 2021 season and was named to the NISA All-League First Team and has been re-signed for the 2022 campaign.



Harry Swartz (Northeastern / Needham, MA)

Ocean City 2015
New Mexico FC (USL Championship)

For someone who went to grew up Massachusetts, went to college at Northeastern University and made his professional debut for Hartford Athletic (USL Championship), surely it was a big adjustment when Harry Swartz signed with New Mexico FC (USL Championship). In his first season with the club, Swartz started 9 of the 12 games he played in, chipping in two assists. He was part of a New Mexico team that finished middle of the table in the USL Championship Western Conference, but still enjoys some of the best fan support in the league.



Mitchell Taintor (Rutgers / Storrs, CT)

Ocean City 2013
San Antonio FC (USL Championship)

After signing with San Antonio FC in 2020, Mitchell Taintor returned to the Sacramento Republic in 2021, the team where he spent the 2018 season. Midway through the 2021 campaign, he returned to Sacramento on loan when the Republic sent (Ocean City alum) Emil Cuello to San Antonio in exchange. After the season was over, Cuello and Taintor were offered permanent contracts with their respective teams, with Taintor returning to San Antonio FC for the second time in three seasons.

Ignacio Tellechea (UC Santa Barbara & West Virginia Tech / Madrid, Spain)
Ocean City 2017-18
AD Unión Adarve (Spain)

Ignacio Tellechea returned home to Madrid to play for AD Union Adarve and is part of surge in the lower divisions of Spain. In his first year with the club in 2020/21, he battled multiple injuries and scored five goals and dished out two assists in 11 games (7 starts) as the club won the Tercera División which earned them promotion to the Segunda División RFEF (4th tier) and a spot in the Copa del Rey. Tellechea is healthy now and it shows. After coming off the bench in the first 12 games of the 2021/22 season, he has won a starting job (starting the last seven games), including a near-upset in a Copa del Rey game at home against second division side CD Lugo. The game finished in a 2-2 draw and Lugo escaped with a 4-3 win in a penalty kick shootout. Tellechea has three goals and four assists so far in 19 appearances and Union Adarve are currently in first place in the Segunda Division RFEF, trying to earn a rare promotion in back-to-back seasons, and a second consecutive berth in the Copa del Rey.



Oscar Umar (Villanova / Tamale, Ghana)
Ocean City 2016
Washington University in St. Louis (Assistant Coach)

Oscar Umar has shifted his focus from playing professional soccer to coaching. After two years with the Richmond Kickers, Umar’s most recent stop on his pro career was at Saint Louis FC, which folded after the 2020 USL Championship season. While he was in St. Louis, he landed an assistant coaching job with the men’s soccer program at Washington University in St. Louis under head coach Joe Clarke. Umar was hired in April of 2021 and helped the Bears program to a 13-3-0 record, the most wins since 2011. “WashU” also earned a spot in the NCAA tournament and won a game in the competition for the first time since 2015. Umar is also the recruiting coordinator for the program as he helps Coach Clarke continue to build the program for years to come.

Chevaughn "Chevy" Walsh (Jefferson College / Spanish Town, Jamaica)
Ocean City 2016
PSIS Semarang (Indonesia)

Chevaughn “Chevy” Walsh has found a new home in 2022. After three seasons playing in the V-League First Division (Vietnam), the 2016 USL-2 MVP traveled across the South China Sea to sign with PSIS Semarang in Indonesia

After Chevy re-wrote the Nor’easters’ record books in 2016, he played with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL) before heading overseas to sign with Hoang Anh Gia Lai FC of the V-League First Division in Vietnam. Walsh scored 17 goals in 33 appearances over two seasons before signing with Thanh Hóa ahead of the 2021 season. A transfer deadline move sent him to Hong Linh Ha Tinh FC where he scored four goals in nine appearances during they remainder of the 2021 season. Now, as he enters the 2022 season, he becomes the first Ocean City player to play professionally in Indonesia. 



Frantzly Zephirin (MidAmerica Nazarene / Montreal, Quebec)

Ocean City 2017
Free Agent (Prev: FC Tulsa - USL Championship)

Zephirin signed his first pro contract with the Tulsa Roughnecks, joining two other Ocean City alums, Fredlin "Fredinho" Mompremier and Akeil Barrett. He had limited playing time in his rookie season, appearing in just three games. However, last year he was bitten by the injury bug and had to undergo surgery and after fully recovering, he is looking for a new club.

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