Gallos FC ready for next step in NPSL

Special thanks to Gallos fan and 3rd Degree supporter Eddie Middlebrook for writing this piece. – Buzz.

Some things change while others remain the same. After making the NPSL playoffs for the first time last season, Irving FC made a host of changes including changing the club’s name to Gallos FC.

Along with the name change, the club has moved its offices from Irving to Arlington.

“Our plans to grow the brand in Arlington include an academy for the local youth so everyone is pumped to help kids learn more about the game,” said new President Tim Costello.

While the team has a new name, location, and president, the coaches remain the same as Head Coach Ben Clarvis and Assistant Coach Janos Fazekas return for their third season.

“Joining our coaching force as well, we have Patrick “Paddy” Fitzgerald that brings a huge voice into the team with a long list of futbol accolades,” Fazekas said. “As well as our former goalkeeper, Cody Wann, on board as goalkeeper coach in charge of a deep competitive GK room.”

Gallos FC kicks off their season Friday, May 19, versus Austin United FC.

Venue

Gallos FC will play at the R L Anderson Stadium, located at 1016 Magnolia St. in Mansfield.

“I felt that stadium offered us the best opportunity to play in a quality facility this season and still be connected to the Arlington community,” Costello said. “The team has an office in Arlington off 360, and the team has also partnered with the City of Arlington to secure practice space as well as bring local Arlington Youth Teams out to games at no cost this season.”

Roster

A solid mix of newcomers and returning players will make up the 2023 Gallos FC squad. Headlining the roster is two-time, all-conference Striker Joe Conway from Newcastle, England. The 6’0 talisman is not the only guy the coaching staff is ready to see in the May 19 season opener.

“We’re really excited to have Ivan Villatoro from Richland College join us this season,” Fazekas said. “A good first touch on top of brilliant field vision, we expect him to make an immediate impact in our midfield. We’ve also brought in some ‘veterans’ with a winning pedigree, in Carlos Flores and his brother Jasub, James Doyle, Julian Barajas, and Davis Mays.”

“Returning player Evan Lupo is looking to impress this year,” Fazekas adds. “After a solid freshman year at UNC-Asheville, bulking up a little bit, we’re looking for him to take a big stride this year in supporting our back line. Looking for our returning veterans to lead the way as we have a good mix of new young guns, new experienced veterans, and returning veterans.”

PlayerPos.SchoolHometownNotes
Connor PettigrewGKLubbock ChristianFrisco, TXPlayed for Denton Diablos in 2022
Jackson LeavittGKElonAllen, TXPlayer of the Year at Allen HS
Bradley MelcherGKMary-Hardin BaylorIrving, TX4-time All-District at Ranchview
Jakob BurhkuhlGKLeeMansfield, TXPlayed club for Dallas Texans
Ali JiraniGKDruryWylie, TXReturning player
Luke BerryGKMary-Hardin BaylorFrisco, TXPlayed club for FC Dallas
Joe ConwayFClayton StateNewcastle, EnglandThird Season With Gallos FC / Scored 10 goals last season and named All-Conference
Nick ArenreFCentral ChristianMidlothian, TXReturning player
Gavin RosalesFDallas BaptistProsper, TX1 goal and 1 assist as a freshman at DBU
Enzo NogueF/CAMRichland CollegeMontpellier, France7 goals and an assist for National Championship team
Dylan WatsonFWest Texas A&MFlower Mound, TXScored first collegiate goal against DBU in October
Mark Anthony Alvarado JrF/WMidwestern StateIrving, TXLed high school team in scoring two years running
Jackson TurleyFMidwestern State (committed)Arlington, TXAll-State in high school
Danny EscorciaCAMRichland CollegeBogota, ColumbiaReturning player
Ethan OrozcoCMNewberry CollegeMcKinney, TXThird Season With Gallos FC / won the US Youth Soccer National Championship in 2017 and State Championship in 2021
Hayes MaloneCMColorado MesaMcKinney, TX4-time All-District at McKinney North
Justin CrokeCMUniv. of Science and Arts of OklahomaWaterford, Ireland10 goals and 13 assists this past season in college
Carlos FloresCM/WMidwestern StateArlington, TX3-time All-Lone Star Conference in college
Julian BarajasCMMidwestern StateEverman, TX3-time All-Lone Star Conference in college / Played for Dention Diablos in 2022
Jasub FloresCDMUT TylerArlington, TXPlayed for Denton Diablos in 2022
James DoyleCDM/CBMidwestern StateLiverpool, EnglandD2CCA All-Region in college
Ivan VillatoroCMRichland CollegeDallas, TX2 assists for National Championship Team
Felipe GarciaWRichland CollegeIrving, TX6 goals and 2 assists for National Championships
Esteban RamirezWSouthern NazareneDallas, TX2 goals and 3 assists in college career
Phillip HillWMidwestern State (committed)Keller, TX2 goals and 2 assists for high school team
Ryan LambeRBMidwestern StateClonmel, IrelandPlayed for Clonmel Town FC in Ireland
Nathan CliffordLBMidwestern StateDerry, IrelandReturning player
Adam RobinsonLBMidwestern StateManchester, EnglandAll-Lone Star Conference 2022 / Competed in club soccer for Preston North End and Manchester City Academy
Kai NilandLB/RBMissouri S&TDanville, CAPaticipated in U17 USSDA and U19 MLS NEXT Academy leagues.
Thierry AssamoiCB/LB/CDMUT TylerAbidjan, Cote D’ivoireD2CCA All-South Central Region Second Team in college
Evan LupoCB/CDMUNC-AshevilleFrisco, TXThree appearances and one start as a freshman in college
Davis MaysCBUT TylerWichita Falls, TXMade three starts for college team
Jorge RodriguezCBColorado MesaCali, ColumbiaDefensive anchor for college team
Beck AdamsCBWest Texas A&MMcKinney, TXNamed District 10-5A Defensive Player of the Year in high school
Immanuel KlimeckCBTrineEuless, TXParticipated in U17 USSDA and U19 MLS NEXT Academy leagues.

How to Watch

This season, Gallos FC home games will be produced by Zach Arnold Productions.

“Zach already is the Voice of Arlington High School and has a strong listener base in the area,” Costello said. “He also has experience selling broadcast sponsorships, something that will be a nice addition to our team.”

Zach recently shared his video profile for Gallos FC Fans. For access to view home games, follow Gallos FC on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.

Sponsors

Gallos FC continues its partnership with Eddie’s Garage, a Texas-based restoration and custom auto company. To add to the excitement of the new season, Eddie’s Garage is giving away a Camaro at the end of the season. You will be entered into the drawing with every shirt and ticket purchased.

For more information and to buy tickets to the May 19 opener, visit the team website

The team will also have ROOFIO The Rooster at home games thanks to John Wade Roofing.

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