#UCFamily - End of 2021 Update#UCFamily - End of 2021 Update

#UCFamily - End of 2021 Update

Opens in a new window MLS Cup Playoffs Opens in a new window USL Championship Playoffs Opens in a new window 2021 MLS Cup Full Penalty Shootout Opens in a new window #UCFamily - Men's Soccer

ORLANDO, Fla. – It was a year to remember for former UCF men's soccer student-athletes at the professional level, capped off with a Golden Boot and an MLS Cup victory paired with an MVP performance. In 2021, UCF alumni scored 39 goals in the USL Championship and tallied 15 assists while two active goalkeepers across multiple levels that turned aside 113 shots.

Sean Johnson (2007-08) became the second member of the #UCFamily to win an MLS Cup and was the first player to start in the final of American soccer's biggest stage. He and NYCFC earned the franchise's first championship in a thrilling match that came down to penalty kicks. Johnson was named MVP of the MLS Cup, another UCF first, after making four saves through a tight 120 minutes of competition and coming up big in the penalty shootout.

The former Knight had a clean sheet until the dying moments of regulation as Portland scored on a loose ball in front during stoppage time to force extra time. Johnson went on to make a great save in the 112th minute to keep the match level at 1-1 and send the contest to penalties. He turned aside the first two Portland attempts, making a pair of miraculous diving saves to give his team the edge early in the shootout. NYCFC went on to take care of business from the spot, winning on PKs 4-2. After 12 seasons and 321 games and as the captain of NYCFC, Johnson got to hoist the MLS Cup high as he celebrated with his squad. Johnson and NYCFC finished the campaign with five straight unbeaten road performances.

The only other Knight on an MLS Cup-winning roster was Romario Williams (2012-14). He was a part of Atlanta United when they beat Portland 2-0 in the 2018 MLS Cup but did not dress for the final. Williams played in 17 games across 211 minutes that season, scoring a goal on eight shot attempts. Williams is currently with Qadsia SC of the STC Premiere League and recently played in the World Cup Qualifiers for Jamaica, playing 63 minutes over two matches.

Hadji Barry (2014-15) put on a show in the USL Championship this season, winning the league's Golden Boot and being named the league's MVP. He scored 25 goals on the campaign with Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, tying the league's record for goals scored in a single season which was set back in 2018. On top of the 25 goals, he also collected five assists. The 28-year-old native of Guinea broke through the 50-goal mark for his career in the process and tied for the longest scoring streak in the Championship this season with goals in seven consecutive games between May 14 and June 25. Barry now sits in sixth place all-time in league history with 63 regular season goals. He was named to the USL Championship's Team of the Week five times throughout the campaign. Barry and the Switchbacks earned a playoff spot by going 13-9-10 over their 32-match season, finishing third in the Mountain Division. Despite the wildly successful campaign, the Switchbacks were eliminated in their first match of the postseason, falling 1-0 to Orange County FC who eventually went on to win the league title.

Cal Jennings (2016-19) spent this year with LAFC of the MLS as well as their affiliate USL Championship club, Las Vegas Lights FC. He was primarily with Las Vegas for the 2021 season, playing and starting in 20 matches while collecting over 1,700 minutes. He scored 11 goals and added four assists, earning another professional hat trick on Oct. 16 against Phoenix. At the MLS level, Jennings made his debut on April 24 against Seattle, subbing on for nine minutes in a 1-1 draw. He has taken part in six matches with LAFC, starting in two of them, registering four shots with two of them landing on target. Both LAFC and Las Vegas Lights FC missed out on postseason action.

Jonathan Dean (2016-19) was solid on the back line for Birmingham all season long, starting in 31 of the team's 32 regular season matches. He tallied over 2,700 minutes on the pitch, earning a goal and five assists on the campaign. The right back was named to the USL Championship's Team of the Week twice during the season. He led his squad with five assists and 47 chances created and had a hand in 10 clean sheets. The former two-time UCF captain was named Legion FC's 2020 Newcomer of the Year and has continued to perform at a high level in the pros. Birmingham qualified for the postseason, finishing the 2021 season just a point out of first in the Central Division, going 18-8-6 for 60 points. They advanced to the quarterfinals of the USL Championship Playoffs due to multiple positive COVID-19 tests on the opposing side in the first round. Birmingham was bested by the Tampa Bay Rowdies in a 1-0 final.

Louis Perez (2017-20-21) made his mark in his rookie campaign with Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, playing in 26 of the team's 32 matches, getting the starting nod in eight of them. He scored two goals and tallied an assist in the process, playing in nearly 800 minutes. The former UCF midfielder signed his deal with the Riverhounds a game into the Knights' 2020-21 season that was played in the spring due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Riverhounds finished third in Atlantic Division with a record of 17-8-7, good enough for 58 points and a playoff spot. Pittsburgh was slated to face Birmingham in the first round but were eliminated before they hit the pitch due to positive COVID-19 tests.

The Knights' most recent alumnus, Yannik Oettl (2017-20-21) signed a contract with New England Revolution II following UCF's 2020-21 season. He saw action in three matches, starting in two of them. He's played in 181 minutes and made six saves as a pro. The Revs II missed the USL League One's postseason by three points, earning a 11-13-4 record and going 1-4-0 down the stretch.

Ryan Roushandel (2006-08) is an assistant on staff at San Antonio FC after ending his career as a player in 2019. San Antonio FC made a deep run this post season, reaching the Western Conference semifinal where they fell to the eventual champs in Orange County SC in penalties, 1-1 (5-3).

UCF has three active players on teams abroad. Matias Pyysalo (2014-17) is currently with Grankulla IFK of Kakkonen. Deshorn Brown (2012) is playing for NorthEast United FC of the Indian Super League after playing in the MLS for four seasons and the USL Championship for three. Williams is the third and is active in the STC Premier League after being in the Egyptian Premier League last season.

The MLS will return earlier than ever in 2022, with the CONCACAF Champions League returning on Feb. 15. NYCFC will open against Santos de Guapiles on Feb. 15. The team's first MLS action will be against LA Galaxy on Feb. 27. LAFC and NYCFC are scheduled to pay a visit to Orlando City during the 2022 season, with both teams potentially still fielding UCF alumni. LAFC will be in town on Apr. 2 while NYCFC will visit Exploria Stadium on Aug. 28.

FOLLOW THE KNIGHTS
Follow UCF Men's Soccer on social media on Facebook (/UCFMensSoccer), Twitter (@UCF_MSoccer) and Instagram (@UCF.MSoccer).

GET THE APP
Never miss any UCF Knights news from your favorite team by downloading the free UCF Knights app right to your iOS or Android phone. The app provides personalized information for men's and women's teams, scores, schedules, loyalty programs and even breaking news. Click here to download the app now.