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Scorpions Sign Danny Barrera & Jonathan Fana

December 11, 2013 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
San Antonio Scorpions News Release


SAN ANTONIO, TX - The San Antonio Scorpions of the NASL have signed former Atlanta Silverbacks star midfielder Danny Barrera and Dominican Republic International, Jonathan Fana for the 2014 season, Scorpions President Howard Cornfield and Head Coach Alen Marcina announced on Wednesday.

Barrera was consistently one of the best midfielders in the league in 2013, registering seven assists during the season, which ranked second in the North American Soccer League. The Colombian native led the Silverbacks to the Spring Season Championship and a Soccer Bowl Berth after finishing atop the first half standings. Barrera has recorded the most assists for the Silverbacks by any player since 2011, adding 10 to his name.

"Danny is a creative attacking player with the ability to locate space behind the opposition's back line and unlock defenses with a highly effective passing game," said Marcina. "He's a young talent coming off a great season in Atlanta who has already demonstrated a remarkable ability to create goal scoring opportunities."

Barrera was born in Bogotá, Colombia before moving to California at an early age. The 23-year-old attended UC Santa Barbara from 2008 to 2011 where he won the 2009 Big West Midfielder of the Year Award as well as being named to the First Team - All Big West and the Second Team - All Far West Region. Barrera was also playing for the Ventura County Fusion during his college years where he won a USL PDL Championship in 2009, and was named to the PDL All League Team in 2011. After playing nearly 600 minutes in his first season with Atlanta, Barrera logged over 1,600 minutes in his impressive 2013 campaign, adding four goals from midfield to his seven assists.

Fana has most recently been playing with Allanza FC of the El Salvador first division, scoring 13 goals since joining the club. The Dominican Republic International has a wealth of NASL experience, playing with the Puerto Rico Islanders from 2010-2012. He led the club to a USSF Division 2 Championship in 2010 during the league's first season and scored 12 goals with the club in 2011, being named as the Islanders' Player of the Year.

"With pace, agility and intelligent movement off the ball, Fana is a great compliment to our front line and a tremendous addition to our squad," Marcina said. "Along with being a current national team player, he brings experience from winning a championship and consistently producing goals in our league as well as throughout CONCACAF."

Fana was born in Moca, Dominican Republic and started his career with Moca FC in his hometown. After impressing there, he moved to the W Connection of the Trinidad and Tobago first division where he led his team to a CONCACAF Champions League berth, scoring five goals in the competition. After his three seasons with the Islanders, Fana has spent the rest of his career in the Dominican Republic and El Salvador. Fana will be one of the most decorated players in the NASL on the international stage after making 25 appearances with the national team of the Dominican Republic, scoring 16 goals.

"Alen targeted Danny as one of his top signing priorities as we shape the Scorpions into a team that will compete for the Soccer Bowl Championship," said Cornfield. "He is a dynamic, young player with a great future ahead of him and we look forward to great things from him. Jonathan knows this league well, and we are excited about the prospect of having him as a part of our attack in 2014."

Fana and Barrera will join the rest of the Scorpions 2014 roster at the start of training camp in February in preparation for the upcoming 2014 NASL season.

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