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North Carolina FC

Steven Miller Announces Retirement from Professional Soccer

February 15, 2021 - United Soccer League One (USL1)
North Carolina FC News Release


Cary, NC - Longtime North Carolina FC player Steven Miller announced his retirement from soccer last week. Miller finishes his career having played a total of 10,002 minutes in 128 appearances with NCFC. He ranks third all-time in assists and eighth all-time in goals scored for the club. Having joined the club in 2015, Miller was the longest active tenured player for NCFC during the 2020 season.

"Steven has been an instrumental piece of North Carolina FC, both the team and the club, for many years," said John Bradford who was Miller's assistant coach during the 2019 and 2020 seasons. "Since his arrival to the club, he has led by voice and example on the field and brought a daily competitiveness that set the standard for the Carolina RailHawks and North Carolina FC men's teams. I wish him the best in retirement and the certain bright future he has ahead."

Miller arrived to NCFC (formerly Carolina RailHawks) on loan near the conclusion of the 2015 season and made his mark on the club each year, playing a part in the team's success. In 2018, he logged a career-best seven assists in 33 matches in USL Championship play. The following season he played 2,410 minutes, leading the team in assist and tying the team-high with nine goals. In the final season of his career, Miller made 11 appearances for 577 minutes and had one assist to another NCFC great, Nazmi Albadawi.

"Steven is one of the best teammates I've ever had the opportunity to play with," said Albadawi. "His leadership on and off the field combined with his work ethic and quality helped him become one of the most important players in NCFC history. I'm going to miss having him in the locker room and on the field but am glad to know he has set himself up well for future endeavors."

Miller served as both team captain and team vice-captain alongside Albadawi during his career. His leadership off the field did not go unnoticed as he made numerous community appearances over the years with club partners and charities such as Habitat for Humanity, The Red Cross, and Read and Feed. Miller has been coaching NCFC Youth teams since arriving to the club in 2015 and is currently the coach of the U12 White North Girls team.

"Steven was simply the perfect teammate," said former NCFC captain Austin da Luz. "He served the team, consistently performing when and wherever he was needed, and he served the community, tirelessly working to connect with our supporters and create positive impact. The club was incredibly lucky to have him for such a long time, and I feel very lucky to have shared a field with him."

The Pennsylvania native attended Colgate University where he majored in math and social/anthropology. He was named to the Colgate Athletics Hall of Honor Class of 2019 for an outstanding collegiate career where he ranked fourth in program history in career goals. He received his master's in statistics from NC State while playing for NCFC.

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