
Cary, NC (February 8, 2017)- North Carolina FC has announced the re-signing of forward Billy Schuler and midfielder Jonathon Orlando. As per club policy, terms of the signings were not disclosed.
"Bringing back Orlando and Schuler was always an objective of ours," said Head Coach Colin Clarke. "They have proven themselves over and over in training and matches last season and we are happy to bring them back as part of our core group of players for 2017."
Schuler, 26, first signed with the Carolina RailHawks (now North Carolina FC) ahead of the 2016 season. The forward played in 12 games and logged 558 minutes under Clarke's guidance last year.
"I'm excited to be back," said Schuler. "I think there are a lot of expectations this year, and we have a good core of the team back. Hopefully, we will improve some things from last year and have a better year."
Schuler was familiar with the area as he was a standout at the University of North Carolina from 2008 to 2011. With the Tar Heels, Schuler reached the 2008 NCAA Championship Match and helped his team win the NCAA Men's College Cup in 2011.
Following his collegiate career in Chapel Hill, Schuler joined Swedish club Hammarby IF for the 2012 and 2013 seasons. There, Schuler scored two goals in 26 appearances. Schuler came back to the United States after his time with Hammarby, where he joined the San Jose Earthquakes of Major League Soccer for the 2014 season and Whitecaps FC II of the United Soccer League in 2015.
Orlando, 29, initially signed with the club in April of 2016. Exactly two months later, he scored his first professional goal during the club’s 5-0 rout of the Charlotte Independence in the Third Round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The Washington, D.C. native made 11 game appearances where he logged 179 minutes with the club in 2016.
Prior to joining the organization, Orlando was an NCAA-standout with the Firebirds of the University of the District of Columbia. There, Orlando was the team leader in six categories – goals, assists, points, shots on goal, shots overall and game-winning goals.
Schuler, Orlando and the team will begin the 2017 NASL campaign on March 25, and North Carolina FC season tickets are now on sale. Fans interested in more information about membership should visit www.www.northcarolinafc.com or call the NCFC Box Office at 919-459-8144.
About North Carolina FC
North Carolina FC (NCFC, formerly the Carolina RailHawks) is an American professional soccer team based in Cary, North Carolina. Founded in 2006, the team plays in the North American Soccer League (NASL). NCFC plays their home games at WakeMed Soccer Park, where they have played since 2007. For more information, please visit www.www.northcarolinafc.com or follow them on Twitter and Facebook.
Cary, NC (February 8, 2017)- North Carolina FC has announced the re-signing of forward Billy Schuler and midfielder Jonathon Orlando. As per club policy, terms of the signings were not disclosed.
“Bringing back Orlando and Schuler was always an objective of ours,” said Head Coach Colin Clarke. “They have proven themselves over and over in training and matches last season and we are happy to bring them back as part of our core group of players for 2017.”
Schuler, 26, first signed with the Carolina RailHawks (now North Carolina FC) ahead of the 2016 season. The forward played in 12 games and logged 558 minutes under Clarke’s guidance last year.
“I’m excited to be back,” said Schuler. “I think there are a lot of expectations this year, and we have a good core of the team back. Hopefully, we will improve some things from last year and have a better year.”
Schuler was familiar with the area as he was a standout at the University of North Carolina from 2008 to 2011. With the Tar Heels, Schuler reached the 2008 NCAA Championship Match and helped his team win the NCAA Men’s College Cup in 2011.
Following his collegiate career in Chapel Hill, Schuler joined Swedish club Hammarby IF for the 2012 and 2013 seasons. There, Schuler scored two goals in 26 appearances. Schuler came back to the United States after his time with Hammarby, where he joined the San Jose Earthquakes of Major League Soccer for the 2014 season and Whitecaps FC II of the United Soccer League in 2015.
Orlando, 29, initially signed with the club in April of 2016. Exactly two months later, he scored his first professional goal during the club’s 5-0 rout of the Charlotte Independence in the Third Round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The Washington, D.C. native made 11 game appearances where he logged 179 minutes with the club in 2016.
Prior to joining the organization, Orlando was an NCAA-standout with the Firebirds of the University of the District of Columbia. There, Orlando was the team leader in six categories – goals, assists, points, shots on goal, shots overall and game-winning goals.
Schuler, Orlando and the team will begin the 2017 NASL campaign on March 25, and North Carolina FC season tickets are now on sale. Fans interested in more information about membership should visit www.www.northcarolinafc.com or call the NCFC Box Office at 919-459-8144.
About North Carolina FC
North Carolina FC (NCFC, formerly the Carolina RailHawks) is an American professional soccer team based in Cary, North Carolina. Founded in 2006, the team plays in the North American Soccer League (NASL). NCFC plays their home games at WakeMed Soccer Park, where they have played since 2007. For more information, please visit www.www.northcarolinafc.com or follow them on Twitter and Facebook.