ORLANDO, Fla. – Professional alumni of UCF men's soccer are spread throughout the United States this season, spanning from coast to coast. Fans can find former Knights in cities such as Los Angeles, New York, Pittsburgh and many more. Half a dozen alumni are currently playing for a team in the U.S, with two seeing time on an MLS roster, three consistently in the USL Championship and another in USL League One. Numerous Knights have had incredible first halves of their seasons as the MLS and USL Championship are at the halfway point of their campaigns.
Sean Johnson (2007-08), GK, MLS, NYCFC
Johnson is the Black and Gold's most notable professional alumni and is playing in his 12th season in the MLS. He's started and played in 11 matches for NYCFC as the team's primary goalkeeper. Johnson was named as the team's captain at the start of the 2021 campaign and has collected four clean sheets to this point, tallying 27 saves and earning a .710 save percentage. He and NYCFC have made the playoff in each of the four seasons he has been with the squad as compared to making it just once in seven seasons with Chicago Fire FC. Johnson is approaching 1000 career saves during the MLS regular season, currently sitting at 936 and has totaled 71 shutouts.
Johnson was once again on the roster of the USA's Gold Cup team, appearing on the squad for the fifth time in his career. Although he didn't see time on the pitch this go around, Team USA was victorious, winning their third title in their last five tries.
Cal Jennings (2016-19), F, MLS/USL, LAFC/Las Vegas Lights
Jennings has had quite the journey in his first two years as a professional. After getting drafted but not signed by Dallas FC, he landed a deal with Memphis 901 FC of the USL Championship where he was impressive late in his rookie campaign. He signed with Indy Eleven at the end of that season, but never suited up for them as he inked a deal with LAFC a little while later. Jennings has seen time in four matches with the MLS club this season, starting in one and tallying 81 minutes. He has attempted three shots, with one being on target.
The two-time All-American has been back and forth between LAFC and their affiliate club, Las Vegas Lights FC. Jennings has continued his USL Championship dominance there, scoring six goals and collecting three assists in 10 starts. He was named a member of the USL Championship Team of the Week for his performance this past weekend. His performance over the past month has landed him on the USL's Player of the Month ballot which fans can vote on. Jennings tallied three goals and two assists over his four appearances in July. He's in a tie for 13th in the USL Championship's Golden Boot race.
Hadji Barry (2014-15), F, USL, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
Barry has become the USL Championship's most prolific scorer this season as he leads the Golden Boot race with an impressive 14 scores on the campaign. He has a commanding lead on the scoring title race, leading second place by five goals. Barry has seen time in 15 matches, starting in 14 of them, colleting nearly 1300 minutes. His incredible performances have landed him on the USL Championship Team of the Week twice and earing the league's Player of the week in late June.
Jonathan Dean (2016-19), D, USL, Birmingham Legion
UCF's former captain has been a rock for Birmingham all season long, starting and playing in 14 matches. He has tallied four helpers on the campaign and even collected a goal in late July, earning him a slot on the USL Championship's Team of the Week.
Louis Perez (2017-20-21), M, USL, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
Perez is the newest Knight to reach the USL Championship after playing one game for the Knights during the spring and then landing a contract with Pittsburgh in February. He's seen action in 11 matches, starting in three of them. He's scored twice during the campaign with his most recent tally coming in the team's last match, a 3-1 victory over Hartford Athletic.
Yannik Oettl (2017-20-21), GK, USL League One, New England Revolution II
UCF's former star keeper and captain is the most recent alumnus to land a deal with a professional team, signing with the New England Revolution II on July 22. He hasn't seen time on the pitch yet but has become the first goalkeeper since Sean Johnson broke into the MLS after his 2008 season with UCF.
International Knights
Three former members of the Black and Gold are currently in action overseas. Romario Williams (2012-14), who is coming off a brilliant season as a member of Miami FC of the USL Championship is now with Ittihad Alex SC of the Egyptian Premier League. Deshorn Brown (2012) is now a memver of NorthEast United FC of the Inidian Super League. The most recent Knight to go across the pond is Matias Pyysalo (2014-17), who is now with Grankulla IFK of Kakkonen after spending the past few seasons with Kickers Offenbach.
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