Orlando City Soccer Club announced today the loan of Forward Matt Luzunaris to the North American Soccer League’s Carolina RailHawks FC. Luzunaris joins the team as they go on the road to Tampa Bay for a match against the Rowdies on Wednesday.
“My expectations are nothing less than what they were here in Orlando this year,” said Luzunaris. “I want to help Carolina potentially win a championship. I look forward to joining a good club and helping them to the best of my abilities.”
Luzunaris’ loan will last through the remainder of the 2012 NASL season. The Fort Lauderdale, Fla., native scored nine goals this past season in USL PRO play, good for second best on the squad behind league-leader Dennis Chin. He also notched two assists in 934 minutes played in 2012. The forward originally signed with Orlando in the offseason after spending time on loan from Major League Soccer’s (MLS) San Jose Eathquakes.
Luzunaris will join the RailHawks with just two matches left in the regular season. Carolina currently sits fourth in the league table with a record of 9-8-8 and 25 points. The top six teams make the NASL postseason.
Orlando City has been busy in the offseason, with Luzunaris just one of the many moves the Lions have made. Jamie Watson is currently on loan with Minnesota Stars FC while Dennis Chin and Jerome Mechack have been on trial with MLS’ D.C. United this past week.
Transaction:
Orlando City (USL PRO) loans Forward Matt Luzunaris to Carolina RailHawks
Matt Luzunaris #12
Position: F
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 170
Born: 3/6/1989
Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
College: University of Central Florida
-courtesy Chris Jones/Orlando City S.C.