Loudoun United FC has welcomed a plethora of fresh faces heading into the new campaign. 14 new names will grace Segra Field’s turf. Here’s a full rundown of the full 2023 roster as it stands:
Goalkeepers (2):
Dane Jacomen rejoins the Red-and-White for his second professional season. The six-foot-three-inch goalkeeper made his LUFC debut on Sept. 25 against Indy Eleven. With Luis Zamudio making strides with the first team, the D.C. United academy product will be looking to become Loudoun’s newest stalwart in goal.
Hugo Fauroux joins United after spending the 2022 USL Championship season with the Charleston Battery, recording 83 saves in 22 matches. A native of Cannes, France, the 26-year-old started playing at the youth level with his hometown club, AS Cannes (U17), before moving to the academy of French giants, AS Monaco (U19). The 6-foot-1 shot stopper made the move Stateside to play at Lake Erie College in 2015, where he was named GLIAX Goalkeeper of the Year after a strong 2016 campaign. Fauroux then transferred to Florida International University in 2017 and garnered Conference USA All-Conference honors in his first season.
Defenders (5):
Left back Kwame Awuah joins United as an experienced 27-year-old. Awuah was drafted 16th overall by New York City FC in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft. The Toronto-native is a proven competitor at various clubs and brings his winning mentality to Leesburg. Awuah joined St. Louis CITY2 as a defender ahead of the inaugural 2022 MLS Next Pro season, following stints at various clubs including the Major League Soccer (MLS) team New York City FC. Awuah was drafted 16th overall by New York City FC in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft. He spent two seasons with New York City FC, appearing in 10 matches before signing for Canadian Premier League (CPL) club Forge FC. Awuah helped Forge FC to two CPL championships, the first one in 2019 and 2020.
Centerback Daniel Chica may be a familiar face to United fans. The Leesburg-native attended Tuscarora High School and played under Matt Lacey’s U23 D.C. United program. The six-foot-two-inch defender played 12 matches for George Mason in the 2021 fall season and trained with the Red-and-White during the 2022 season.
Centerback Yanis Leerman will bring great size and athleticism to the backline this season. The French defender was selected 85th overall in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft by the Chicago Fire. Splitting his collegiate career at the University of Central Florida and University of Pittsburgh, the centerback was named to First Team All-East Region, First Team All-AAC, Third Team All-East Region and United Soccer Coaches All-American squad.
Defender Laukoa Santos joins the Red-and-White after most recently competing with Charlotte FC and Charlotte Independence. The Hawaiian excels in wide service and playing out of the back. ‘Koa’ attended San Diego State University where he appeared in 58 matches, recording two goals and three assists.
Atlanta United Homegrown Bryce Washington continues to compete in the USL Championship after most recently playing with Atlanta United 2 in 2022. The defender ranked third on the team in 2021 in clearances (69) with the Georgia-side.
Midfielders (4):
22-year-old Houssou Landry rejoins the Red-and-White ahead of the 2023 season. The Ivorian central midfielder has competed in 52 matches with Loudoun United FC, recording one assist. The Ivorian is known for his competitiveness and stalwart defending. Landry reached 50 appearances with United on Oct. 4, 2022, making him the team’s leading appearance holder.
Alex Nagy joins Loudoun United FC after finishing his collegiate career as an All-American at the University of Vermont. The 41st pick of the 2022 MLS SuperDraft led his team to the NCAA Elite 8. Nagy scored eight goals and recorded 16 assists in 58 appearances from 2018 to 2021.
Juan Ramírez started his youth career in the DMV, playing for Bethesda Academy. Ramírez trained with the Red-and-White in 2022 before being offered a professional contract ahead of the 2023 season. The Colombian played with D.C. United Academy before spending time with Spanish sides, Agrupación Deportiva Alcorcón and C.F. Fuenlabrada.
Cole Turner returns to the DMV after most recently playing with the Philadelphia Union. The Maryland-native signed an MLS Homegrown Player contract with the Union in 2020. In 2021, the six-foot-two-inch midfielder joined USL Championship’s El Paso Locomotive FC. The dual-positioned (midfielder/defender) Homegrown is a competitive addition to LUFC.
Forwards (6):
FC Dallas Homegrown, Kalil ElMedkhar, joins the roster after most recently competing in the MLS and USL League One. In 2022, the six-foot forward appeared in six matches for FC Dallas and 14 matches for North Texas SC. Prior to his professional career, ElMedkhar attended the University of Kentucky, recording 20 goals and 21 assists for the Wildcats.
Panos Armenakas is arguably the most skillful player on this year’s squad. The Australian most recently played for Danish 1st Division club Vendsyssel FF. The 24-year-old represented Greece at the under-17 level before switching to representing Australia. In 2014, he was selected in Australia’s 21-man squad for the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup. During this time, Armenakas was selected by the Guardian as one of the 50 best young talents in world football.
Isaac Espinal signed his first professional contract in 2022 with Loudoun United FC. The 17-year-old Honduran appeared in eight matches for the Red-and-White in the USL Championship. A graduate of the D.C. United Academy, the Fairfax-native is a tremendous attacking talent that is known for his speed and runs in behind.
Wesley Leggett joins LUFC with great potential and athleticism. The 21-year-old most recently graduated from St. John’s University, recording three goals, including one game winner and one assist, helping the Red Storm reach the NCAA Tournament Second Round.
Versatile forward, Zach Ryan, was a four-year letterman at Stanford University. The forward made 73 appearances, recording 31 goals and 13 assists to help the Cardinals become Pac-12 Champions in 2018 and 2020. The New York Red Bulls Homegrown went on to start in 12 matches for Red Bulls II after making his MLS debut against Toronto FC on March 5, 2022.
Thomas Williamson joins the Red-and-White with the intention of being a massive influence. Williamson was drafted by the San Jose Earthquakes with the 12th pick of the 2021 MLS SuperDraft. The six-foot-one-inch forward spent the 2021 season on loan with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, scoring six goals in his first professional season. Last year, the 23-year-old signed with Minnesota United 2, scoring nine goals and recorded three assists in 21 games.
