UTICA CITY FC SIGNS NELSON SANTANA
UTICA, NY — General Manager Tommy Tanner and Utica City FC announced the signing of defender Nelson Santana. Santana joins UCFC from the Baltimore Blast.
Entering his 10th season in the MASL, Nelson Santana has appeared in 159 games for the Syracuse Silver Knights, Ontario Fury, Harrisburg Heat, San Diego Sockers, and Baltimore Blast, notching 44 goals and 52 assists. He has a championship pedigree, having won two Ron Newman Cups with the Blast and one with the Sockers.
Notably, he was a member of the Silver Knights for four seasons in the MISL/MASL under the coaching of Tommy Tanner.
Nelson has the player profile that Utica City was looking for: he has great technical ability, great understanding of the game, is tough as nails with the strength to mark any target in the league, and definitely has the ability to get in your head. General Manager Tommy Tanner was effusive with his praise for Santana:
"I signed Nelson Santana in 2011 with the Syracuse Silver Knights. He was one of the most electrifying players in our league with the ability to go end to end. As he's matured in age and as a player, he has more of a defensive mindset and the great ability to mark the target.
He can play out of tight spaces and all around is a wonderful person to be around, just a great team guy. Great in the locker room, great with the fans. He has an understanding of what it takes to be a true professional soccer player in our league and to get the support of all the fans."
Utica City FC opens their season this Saturday, December 2nd vs. the Harrisburg Heat. Tickets are available at https://ucfctickets.com/.