Penn FC Signs Kyle Venter, Marco Franco and Chris Hill
February 27, 2018 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Penn FC News Release
Harrisburg, PA - Penn FC announced on Tuesday the signings of Kyle Venter, Marco Franco and Chris Hill, adding three more defenders to the Penn FC roster ahead of the 2018 season. Pending USL and USSF approval, they will continue their professional soccer careers with the Central PA club.
Venter joins Penn FC after his most recent professional stint with USL club Ottawa Fury FC from 2016-17. He played 1330 minutes over the course of 17 games, which included 15 starts in 2017. Due to injury, Venter was out for the entire 2016 campaign. Prior to his time with Ottawa, Venter played for the Tulsa Roughnecks in 2015 and scored three goals in 24 appearances. Venter began his professional career in 2014 when he was drafted 23rd overall by the LA Galaxy in the second round of the 2014 MLS SuperDraft. The Galaxy loaned Venter to its USL affiliate, LA Galaxy II, where he made nine appearances and scored one goal. The Aurora, Colorado native played collegiately at New Mexico University, making 85 starts in 86 appearances, netting eight goals and assisting four more. He finished as their all-time leader in minutes played. Other program honors for Venter include first three-time All-American award winner, MAC Hermann Award semifinalist, Conference USA MVP and Defensive Player of the Year. Venter and his teammates finished as semifinalists in the 2013 NCAA College Cup.
Franco comes to Central PA after playing the last four years with Indy Eleven when they played in the NASL. The Chino Hills, California native helped anchor the Eleven's backline as he averaged 84 minutes per game and made 77 starts in 82 appearances. Franco's ability to play the wing helped the Eleven's offense last year as he recorded five assists during the 2017 season. Franco was drafted by the Chicago Fire as the 13th overall pick in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft before starting a loan spell with Indy late in the 2014 season. Franco enjoyed a successful collegiate career at UC Irvine from 2010-13. He helped power the UC Irvine offense as he recorded 10 career assists. Franco capped off his senior year leading the defensive line that recorded 10 clean sheets. His performance in 2013 earned him Big West Defender of the Year and All-Big West First Team honors.
Hill returns to Harrisburg after spending his first two professional seasons with the Harrisburg City Islanders from 2016-17, where he developed his talents with the club. Hill played collegiately at the University of Richmond and Villanova University. He started in 16 matches, scored two goals, and assisted two more as a freshman at Richmond. Following his time with Richmond, he transferred to Villanova, where he started in 48 matches for the Wildcats from 2013-15. Hill was teammates with current Penn FC player and former Villanova standout Aaron Denis during the 2013-14 seasons.
The 2018 roster is as follows:
Tiago Calvano (defender)
Jake Bond (defender)
Sean Lewis (goalkeeper)
John Grosh (midfielder)
Jorge Rivera (midfielder)
Dan Metzger (midfielder)
Calvin Rezende (midfielder)
Jacob Lissek (goalkeeper)
Aaron Dennis (forward)
Pedro Galvao (defender)
Mauro Eustaquio (midfielder)
Kyle Venter (defender)
Marco Franco (defender)
Chris Hill (defender)
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