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Chris Nanco

Chris Nanco
Nanco with Bethlehem Steel in 2017
Personal information
Full name Christopher Lenroy Nanco
Date of birth (1995-02-15) February 15, 1995 (age 29)
Place of birth North York, Ontario, Canada
Height 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in)
Position(s) Forward
Youth career
Brampton Youth SC
Sigma FC
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2013–2016 Syracuse Orange 84 (21)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2014–2016 Sigma FC 9+ (1+)
2017–2018 Bethlehem Steel 60 (9)
2019–2022 Forge FC 55 (8)
2023 Des Moines Menace 6 (0)
2023 Sporting Kristina B 3 (5)
2023 Sporting Kristina 6 (3)
Total 136+ (26+)
International career
2011 Canada U17 7 (2)
2015 Canada U20 2 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of March 25, 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of April 16, 2017

Christopher Lenroy Nanco (born February 15, 1995) is a Canadian former professional soccer player.

Early life

He began playing youth soccer with Brampton Youth SC.[1] At age 12, he joined Sigma FC.[2][3] While with Sigma, he had an opportunity to trial with the Liverpool Academy in England in 2010.[4]

College career

In June 2013, Nanco committed to Syracuse University, where he played for the men's soccer team.[5][6] He made his debut on August 30 against the Colgate Raiders.[7] He scored his first two goals for Syracuse on September 9, 2013, against the Manhattan Jaspers.[7] As a sophomore, he scored five goals and added two assists, finishing as the team's second leading scorer.[8] During his junior season, he began playing as a central forward, also playing a midfield role at times, transitioning from a primarily winger role in earlier seasons.[9][10] He finished his junior season with four goals.[11] On September 1, 2016, he had his second career two-goal game, leading Syracuse to a 3–0 victory over Colgate.[12] As a senior, he led the team in scoring with seven goals[13][14] and at the end of his senior season, he was named an All-ACC First Team All-Star[15] and to the All-South Region third team.[16][17] Through his time at Syracuse, the team had a perfect 16–0 record in games he scored.[18] He was invited to the MLS Player Combine, ahead of the 2017 MLS SuperDraft.[19]

Club career

From 2014 to 2016, Nanco played in League1 Ontario with Sigma FC, during the college off-seasons.[20][21] In 2016, he was named to the League1 Ontario All-Star Game roster for the West Division.[22]

Nanco playing with Bethlehem Steel in 2017

In January 2017, Nanco was selected 55th overall in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft by Philadelphia Union.[23][24][25] In March 2017, he signed a professional contract with the Union's USL side, Bethlehem Steel.[26][27][28] He scored his first professional goal in his professional debut on April 15, 2017, against the Harrisburg City Islanders.[29][30] After the 2018 season, he departed the club.[31]

In November 2018, Nanco joined Forge FC for the inaugural season of the Canadian Premier League in 2019, being one of the team's first two ever signings.[32] Nanco helped Forge win the CPL championship in their first season.[33] On August 22, 2019, he scored to lead Forge to a 1–0 victory in the first leg of the CONCACAF League Round of 16 over Honduran club Olimpia.[34] In 2020, Nanco missed half of the season with a hamstring injury, as Forge once again won the league title.[35][36] In February 2021, he re-signed with the club for the 2021 season.[37][38]

In 2023, he played with the Des Moines Menace in USL League Two.[39]

Later in 2023, he joined Finnish club Sporting Kristina, playing with the first team in the fourth tier Kolmonen and the second team in the fifth tier Nelonen.[40]

In March 2024, he announced his retirement.[39]

International career

In January 2011, he debuted in the Canadian national program, attending a camp with the Canada U17 team.[41] He won a silver medal with them at the 2011 CONCACAF U-17 Championship, scoring the winning goal in a 2–0 victory over Trinidad and Tobago U17 on February 23, 2011, to qualify Canada for the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup,[42] where he also played.[43]

In August 2014, he was named to the Canada U20 for the Dale Farm Milk Cup and was also named to the team for the 2015 CONCACAF U-20 Championship.[44]

Career statistics

As of matches played on December 31, 2023[45]
Club Season League Playoffs National Cup Continental Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Sigma FC 2016[21] League1 Ontario 9 1 9 1
Bethlehem Steel 2017 USL 27 4 1 0 28 4
2018 30 5 2 0 32 5
Total 57 9 3 0 0 0 0 0 60 9
Forge FC 2019 Canadian Premier League 24 4 2 0 1 0 2 1 29 5
2020 5 2 0 0 2 0 7 2
2021 18 2 1 0 0 0 5 0 24 2
2022 8 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 11 0
Total 55 8 3 0 2 0 11 1 35 7
Des Moines Menace 2023[46] USL League Two 6 0 ? ? 1 0 7+ 0
Sporting Kristina B 2023[40] Nelonen 3 5 3 5
Sporting Kristina 2023[40] Kolmonen 6 3 0 0 6 3
Career Total 136 26 6 0 3 0 11 1 156 27

Honours

Forge FC

References

  1. ^ "Pro: First Youth Registration List" (PDF). League1 Ontario.
  2. ^ Thompson, Marty (November 29, 2018). "Kyle Bekker, Chris Nanco reunite with Bobby Smyrniotis at Forge FC". Canadian Premier League.
  3. ^ Hyber, Josh (October 2, 2013). "Halis, Nanco bring familiarity to inexperienced Syracuse offense". The Daily Orange.
  4. ^ "Nanco trying out for famed English club". Brampton Guardian. September 2, 2010.
  5. ^ Hyber, Josh (June 17, 2013). "McIntyre introduces 2013 recruiting class". The Daily Orange.
  6. ^ Hyber, Josh (September 11, 2013). "Nanco showcases speed as part of deep SU freshman class". The Daily Orange.
  7. ^ a b "Chris Nanco Syracuse profile". Syracuse Orange.
  8. ^ "Nanco Named to Canadian U-20 Roster". Syracuse Orange. January 6, 2015.
  9. ^ Grossman, Connor (September 2, 2015). "Syracuse offense is leaning on Chris Nanco's aggressive play". The Daily Orange.
  10. ^ Mettus, Jon (December 9, 2015). "Chris Nanco sacrifices time at forward to serve midfield role". The Daily Orange.
  11. ^ Gutierrez, Matthew (September 5, 2016). "Chris Nanco improves finishing ability in senior season". The Daily Orange.
  12. ^ "Nanco Leads Orange Past Colgate". Syracuse Orange. September 1, 2016.
  13. ^ "Nanco Invited to MLS Player Combine". Syracuse Orange. December 15, 2016.
  14. ^ "Nanco, Alseth Drafted in Third Round of MLS SuperDraft". Syracuse Orange. January 17, 2017.
  15. ^ Gutierrez, Matthew (November 8, 2016). "Miles Robinson named ACC Defensive Player of the Year; Chris Nanco and Mo Adams earn All-ACC honors". The Daily Orange.
  16. ^ Colpitts, Iain (December 19, 2016). "Brampton's Nanco invited to MLS Combine". Mississauga News.
  17. ^ "Sigma's Nanco Is Third League1 Player Picked Up In MLS SuperDraft 2017". League1 Ontario. January 19, 2017.
  18. ^ Gutierrez, Matthew (November 7, 2016). "Chris Nanco eyes late-career push with scoreless streak put to rest". The Daily Orange.
  19. ^ Gutierrez, Matthew (December 15, 2016). "Syracuse men's soccer Chris Nanco invited to MLS Player Combine". The Daily Orange.
  20. ^ Rowaan, Dave (June 2, 2014). "League 1 Ontario opens play with familiar names and plenty of excitement". Waking the Red.
  21. ^ a b "Chis Nanco 2016 L1O Stats". League1 Ontario.
  22. ^ "League1 Ontario Announces Men's All-Star Game Roster". League1 Ontario. July 25, 2016.
  23. ^ "17' SuperDraft: Chris Nanco". Philadelphia Union. January 17, 2017. Archived from the original on April 16, 2017.
  24. ^ Langer, Tomer (January 17, 2017). "MLS SuperDraft: Former Syracuse forward Chris Nanco selected by Philadelphia Union in 3rd round". The Daily Orange.
  25. ^ "Union draft Chris Nanco, Jack Elliott in third and fourth rounds". NBC Sports. January 17, 2017.
  26. ^ "Bethlehem Steel FC signs former Syracuse star Chris Nanco". The Morning Call. March 9, 2017.
  27. ^ Ralph, Matthew (March 8, 2017). "Chris Nanco signing with Bethlehem Steel completes draft class". Brotherly Game.
  28. ^ "Nanco Signs with Bethlehem Steele FC". Syracuse Orange. March 8, 2017.
  29. ^ Murphy, Nicholas (April 19, 2017). "Bethlehem's Nanco Thrilled by First Strike". United Soccer League.
  30. ^ "Look Back at 2017's Steel FC: Chris Nanco". Market Screener. November 27, 2017.
  31. ^ Ralph, Matthew (December 3, 2018). "Former Steel FC winger Chris Nanco among first signings for Canadian Premier League". Brotherly Game.
  32. ^ Milton, Steve (November 30, 2018). "Bekker and Nanco first two Forge FC signings". The Hamilton Spectator.
  33. ^ Gangué-Ruzic, Alexandre (March 11, 2020). "'A little taste': Kwame Awuah and Chris Nanco aiming to make left side a 'strong side' for Forge in 2020". BTS Vancouver.
  34. ^ Schuller, Rudi (August 22, 2019). "CONCACAF League 2019: Chris Nanco, Triston Henry lead Forge to first-leg win over Olimpia". Sporting News.
  35. ^ O'Connor-Clarke, Charlie (March 1, 2021). "Forge FC's Chris Nanco enters 2021 CPL season with 'a lot to prove'". Canadian Premier League.
  36. ^ Jacques, John (February 18, 2021). "Forge FC Re-Signs Chris Nanco". Northern Tribune.
  37. ^ "Nanco re-signs with Forge FC Hamilton". In The Hammer. February 18, 2021.
  38. ^ O'Connor-Clarke, Charlie (February 18, 2021). "Forge FC re-signs Canadian winger Chris Nanco". Canadian Premier League.
  39. ^ a b Jacques, John (March 25, 2024). "Former CPL Champion Chris Nanco Announces Retirement". Northern Tribune.
  40. ^ a b c "Christopher Nanco Finland Stats". Palloliitto.
  41. ^ Chris Nanco at the Canadian Soccer Association
  42. ^ "Canada earns 1st FIFA U-17 berth in 16 years". CBC Sports. February 23, 2011.
  43. ^ "Nanco Called to U-20 Training Camp". Syracuse Orange. December 13, 2014.
  44. ^ "Nanco Named to Canadian U-20 Roster". Syracuse Orange. January 6, 2015.
  45. ^ Chris Nanco at Soccerway
  46. ^ "League Standings". USL League Two.