Derreck Espinal takes and coverts a penalty kick at the USL Academy Western Conference Regional Event last October. Photo by Cameron Koubek
AUSTIN, Texas - USL Championship club Austin Bold FC today announced the signing of local youth standouts Derreck Espinal and Alan Rivera to USL Academy contracts for the 2020 season. Both Espinal and Rivera represented Bold FC at the 2019 USL Academy Western Conference Regional Event in October 2019.
"I've said it many times, but I will keep saying it. As an organization, we want to be an integral part of growing soccer in Austin,” said Austin Bold FC Head Coach Marcelo Serrano. “Being around players who played in some of the best leagues in the world is an invaluable experience for players of [Espinal and Rivera’s] age."
Espinal began his youth career at Lonestar SC before moving to Lonestar SC partner club APPA Aguilas. There, he trained under APPA director and Bold midfielder Sonny Guadarrama.
Guadarrama coached the Bold FC team that took part in the USL Academy Western Conference Regional Event in San Antonio, where Espinal was one of the standout players.
He converted a penalty against FC Golden State Force, and scored a fantastic free kick from distance against Saint Louis FC (see it at the 2:23 mark of the video).
Rivera joined youth club Austin Texans SC at a young age and represented the club in their U12 through U16 sides before becoming a part of the Lonestar SC organization. While at Stony Point High School, Rivera set a school record with 24 goals and 18 assists. He went on to win District 13-6A MVP honors in his sophomore year.
Rivera holds off a defender. Photo courtesy Austin Bold FC
The addition of Espinal and Rivera continues Austin Bold FC's mission to facilitate the growth of soccer in Austin by giving top local players the ability to develop and compete daily in a professional team environment.
The players join other Austin locals Sonny Guadarrama, Kris Tyrpak, Beto Avila, Nathaniel Adamolekun, Zachary Kos, and Edward Alonzi on the Bold FC roster.
To learn more about USL Academy or the USL Academy Cup, visit www.usl-academy.com/about.
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