SD Loyal SC sign goal-scoring forward Corey Hertzog
SD Loyal
The Loyal announced Thursday that they signed striker Corey Hertzog to a contract through the 2021 season.
๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ค๐ ๐ฉ๐๐ ๐ข๐ค๐จ๐ฉ ๐ฅ๐ง๐ค๐ก๐๐๐๐ ๐จ๐ฉ๐ง๐๐ ๐๐ง๐จ ๐๐ฃ ๐๐ก๐ก ๐ค๐ ๐๐๐ ๐พ๐๐๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ค๐ฃ๐จ๐๐๐ฅ ๐ฉ๐ค๐๐๐ฎ. ๐
Welcome to SD Loyal, Corey Hertzog!
ยป https://t.co/S6k5x1EHn3 pic.twitter.com/ywe4EaTiTH
โ San Diego Loyal (@SanDiegoLoyal) December 10, 2020
Hertzog is a highly respected and talented player that will immediately impact the offense for the Loyal. He is 30 years old and a former footballer for Penn State University, where he was an All-American.
The Pennsylvania Native comes to San Diego after stints with MLS and multiple USL Championship clubs like the Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Tampa Bay Rowdies, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, and most recently, Reno 1868 FC. He spent the last two seasons in Reno.
“I’m extremely excited and thankful for this opportunity to join a fantastic club like San Diego Loyal,” Hertzog said. “I can’t wait to represent this club with everything I have on and off the field. I’m especially excited to score goals in front of the fan base – maybe a ‘Loyal – leap’ after each one. That would be fun.”
In 155 career appearances, Hertzog has scored 64 goals and assisted on 18 since being drafted 13th overall by the New York Red Bulls in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft. He was also selected for the All-League Second Team in 2016.
The former first-rounder has been on a goal-scoring tear the last few seasons. He scored 27 goals in 62 appearances from 2016-17 for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC. Two seasons later, he scored 23 goals in 50 appearances from 2019-20 for Reno 1868 before COVID-19 shut down the season.
This kind of play had the attention of Loyal Manager Landon Donovan.
“Since the day I started this job, I’ve had my eye on Corey and wanted to see him in Torrey Green,” Donovan said. “We are thrilled to have a player of his quality and experience join our team. His work ethic, goal scoring ability, and leadership will be a huge asset to us in 2021 and beyond.”
Hertzog will join an elite group of players competing to put the Loyal on top of the USL Championship.
Already outfitted in SD Loyal!@Hertzog_Corey with a message to the fans and city of San Diego. ๐ pic.twitter.com/MKm7KSDItT
โ San Diego Loyal (@SanDiegoLoyal) December 10, 2020
Hertzog will presumably wear N0. 21.
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.