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USL1 FC Tucson

Five Local Talents Join FC Tucson Academy

February 1, 2022 - United Soccer League One (USL1)
FC Tucson News Release


It starts in Tucson is more than just a slogan for FC Tucson, especially after signing five local talents to the academy.

Brandon Sanchez, Jerod Allen, Emiliano Andraux, Diego Ruiz and Carlos Brown sign Designated Academy (DA) contracts that allows them to compete with the senior team in USL League One and with the FC Tucson Pro Academy in the USL Academy League. The five will also maintain college eligibility under the contract.

Sanchez, Allen and Andraux previously played with the FC Tucson Pro Academy and the senior team last season. Ruiz and Brown signed their first professional academy contracts.

Sanchez, 17, got his start at Tanque Verde Soccer Club before moving moving on to RSL-AZ Southern Arizona. He joined the FC Tucson academy last season and made his professional debut on August 14 against Union Omaha.

Allen, 17, played with the U.S. Olympic Development program from 2019-2020. He played varsity soccer with Buena High School and club soccer with Vail Soccer Club. This will be Allen's second year on the academy team.

Andraux, 19, played high school soccer with Tucson High Magnet School, which went 11-2-1 in the spring of 2021 and advanced to the AIA State Championships Conference 6A semifinals. He was added to the FC Tucson senior team lineup after Rafa Guerrero, another FC Tucson Academy product, left the club to join Grand Canyon University. He made is debut in the first 18 on September 19 against Greenville Triumph SC.

Brown, 18, signs his first professional academy contract with FC Tucson after previously playing club soccer with FC Tucson Youth. Brown played along the backline for FCT Youth as a center back.

Ruiz, 18, joins the FC Tucson Pro Academy after playing for FC Tucson Youth. He played along the left wing being deployed as a left winger and left back.

The USL Academy is in its second year. It provides a clearly defined path to the pros for local soccer players, as well as signing directly with their senior team.

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