Loyal SC welcome five new faces to San Diego
The San Diego Loyal are preparing for the 2022 season by bringing in new talent. This is the time of year where many footballers are moving around and finding the team they best fit with.
The Loyal ended the 2021 season with a loss in the first round of the playoffs by San Antonio FC. That was their first playoff appearance in their two years as a club. For year three, they hope to improve off of a successful season and go further into the playoffs.
Let’s take a look at the talent they brought in with some facts about each player.
Loyal Signees
- Kyle Adams
- Position: Defender
- Hometown: Auckland, New Zealand
- Niko Boxall
- Position: Defender
- Hometown: Auckland, New Zealand
- Evan Conway
- Position: Forward
- Hometown: Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin
- Nick Moon
- Position: Forward
- Hometown: Waukesha, Wisconsin
- Koke Vegas
- Position: Goalkeeper
- Hometown: Antequera, Spain
Kyle Adams
Adams, a defender, comes to San Diego from USL Championship side Real Monarchs. The 25-year-old is an experienced defender with excellent passing skills. He played in 29 matches, starting in 27 with Real Monarchs in 2021. He had 42 interceptions and scored a goal in the 2,477 minutes he played. He had a two-year stint with fellow USL side Rio Grande Valley FC. He was the team captain in 2018- 2019, playing in 52 games. He was signed by MLS side Houston Dynamo in 2020 but was sent back on loan to RGV FC.
We didn’t just sign him for the hair… but also a little bit for the hair. pic.twitter.com/qUsKYNdfTn
— San Diego Loyal (@SanDiegoLoyal) January 5, 2022
Nikko Boxall
Defender Boxall joins fellow countryman Adams in the SD Loyal backline. The 29-year-old joins coach Landon Donovan’s team coming from Finnish side SJK, which plays in the Veikkausliiga, the highest soccer tier in Finland. He is an experienced player who has spent time playing in Denmark and Germany. He started his career in New Zealand and went on to play college soccer at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, where he played in 76 matches. He earned Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year his senior season, along with a handful of other accolades during his time there.
“Nikko has all the qualities necessary to be an elite defender in our league,” Manager Landon Donovan said. “His resume speaks for itself, and his leadership and experience will be tremendous assets to our club, on and off the field.”
Evan Conway
Conway joins SD Loyal after playing with Union Omaha of the USL League One last season, in which he played in 18 matches and started in 15. He scored 13 goals while playing in 1,258 minutes and added an assist. He is a dynamic forward who can play multiple positions. The Wisconsin native also played with Ventura County Fusion of the USL League 2 in 2019.
“Evan has been the best player in USL League One for two consecutive seasons and we are delighted to have him join San Diego Loyal,” Donovan said. “He is a dynamic player and will add a different dimension to our attack.”
High praise from Donovan there!
Nick Moon
SD Loyal is also adding another forward in Moon. The 25-year-old comes from Indy Eleven, where he is coming off playing in 29 USL Championship matches, starting in 19 in 2021. He scored three goals and had four assists last season. He gives SD Loyal versatility as he can play at different areas off the pitch. Also, from Wisconsin, not only has experience at the USL Championship level but has also played in League One where he played in 16 matches for Indy in 2020.
Cue the smoke! Nick moon is bringing some danger to Torero Stadium. 🏟💨 pic.twitter.com/cns6iKogQu
— San Diego Loyal (@SanDiegoLoyal) January 7, 2022
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Koke Vegas
Donovan will also have Koke Vegas to use in 2021. The Spanish goalkeeper comes from Levante UD of La Liga. He is coming off a season at Mallorca of the Spanish second division, where he appeared in one match after being sent there on loan. He has played for a handful of teams in that division but has had La Liga experience with Levante since 2017.
“Koke is a tremendously talented young goalkeeper with a lot of high-level games under his belt already,” Donovan said. “His experience playing in La Liga will help our club on and off the field and we are excited to add him to our team.”
There is so much to look forward to during the 2022 USL Championship season. Look for the Loyal to continue to dominate at home in Torero Stadium.
Chris is a graduate of the University of San Diego. He is the former Sports Editor for the USDVista newspaper. Chris is also an athlete and is huge fan of San Diego sports. Chris has covered the San Diego Loyal, and contributes regularly about the Padres.