HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Huntsville City FC announced today the addition of 10 players who join Isaiah Johnston, the club’s first ever signing, ahead of their inaugural MLS NEXT Pro season starting in March.
Joining Huntsville City FC will be defenders Chrisnovic (Chris) N'sa, Josh Drack, Perrin Barnes, and Cyrus Rad, midfielders Jonathan Bolanos, Danny Griffin, and Ollie Wright, and forward Azaad Liadi. Additionally, Nick Law and John Berner will be part of the roster in player/coach roles.
"We are truly excited to welcome Huntsville City FC's first group of players. Being part of an inaugural roster is something very special,” said Liam Doyle, Director of Soccer Operations at Huntsville City FC. “The staffs at both Huntsville and Nashville Soccer Club have worked diligently to put together a talented group with great potential. Players who will entertain the fans and fight for the city.”
Huntsville City FC is being built on the foundations of developing young talent from across all tiers of North American Soccer with a mix of seasoned veterans to guide the club to its highest aspirations in MLS NEXT Pro and to serve as the final step in the developmental journey prior to joining its parent club, Nashville Soccer Club in Major League Soccer.
Newly appointed Head Coach of Huntsville City FC Jack Collison added, “I am very excited to get to work with such a diverse and ambitious group that is full of potential. The challenge for us as a staff now is how we knit the individual pieces together to produce an exciting brand of winning football that really showcases these talents and represents Rocket City. We are looking forward to the challenge ahead and can’t wait to get started.’
The team will come together to start their preseason this week ahead of Feb. 11 when they will face Birmingham Legion away in their first-ever preseason match.
A breakdown of each signing for Huntsville City FC can be found below:
Perrin Barnes
Position: Defender
Height: 5-11
Weight: 170
Birthdate: March 10, 2021
Age: 21
Birthplace: Aurora, Illinois
Last club: Butler University (NCAA)
Bio: Barnes joins HCFC after appearing in every match for Butler in his collegiate career (69) and being selected to the BIG EAST Championship All-Tournament Team his senior year. As a Junior, Butler anchored a Bulldog backline that allowed just 20 goals in 19 matches
John Berner
Position: Goalkeeper / Goalkeeper Coach
Height: 6-3
Weight: 201
Birthdate: Feb. 14, 1991
Age: 31
Birthplace: St. Louis, Missouri
Last club: Memphis 901 FC (USL Championship)
Bio: Berner was originally selected by the Colorado Rapids as the 35th overall pick in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft, presented by adidas. Berner made a total of 60 appearances in his senior career, 39 of those with Charlotte Independence. Berner will serve in a player/coach role.
Jonathan Bolanos
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-10
Weight: 146
Birthdate: May 20, 1998
Age: 24
Birthplace: Miramar, Florida
Last club: Richmond Kickers (USL League One)
Bio: Bolanos joins HCFC after spending three seasons with the Richmond Kickers where the midfielder made 65 total appearances. Bolanos tallied 13 goals and 13 assists in his three seasons in Richmond and was a 2022 Most Valuable Player Finalist.
Josh Drack
Position: Defender
Height: 5-8
Weight: 152
Birthdate: Sept. 22, 1999
Age: 23
Birthplace: Chandler, Arizona
Last club: LA Galaxy II (MLS Next Pro)
Bio: Drack made 52 appearances for LA Galaxy II after being drafted by the LA Galaxy in the first round of the 2021 MLS Superdraft, presented by adidas. During his time at LA Galaxy II he recorded five goals and 11 assists as a defender.
Danny Griffin
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-9
Weight: 165
Birthdate: July 14, 1998
Age: 24
Birthplace: Wethersfield, Conn.
Last club: Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL Championship)
Bio: Griffin set the standard for consistency as a member of the Pittsburgh Riverhounds appearing in every regular season match for the club since joining in 2020 (82). Griffin led the Riverhounds to a 44W-21L-17D record.
Nick Law
Position: Midfielder / Player-Coach
Height: 5-10
Weight: 158
Birthdate: March 29, 1988
Age: 34
Birthplace: Plymouth, England
Last club: Tampa Bay Rowdies (USL Championship)
Bio: Law grew up overseas in the Sheffield United Academy where he would go on to debut in the English Premier League on Nov. 4, 2006. Law’s biggest leap while playing overseas came from 2013-16 as a member of Rangers FC in the Scottish Premiership where he scored 20 goals in 86 appearances. Law came to the States in 2021 and has appeared in 60 matches in the USL Championship in that span. He will also serve in a player/coach capacity.
Azaad Liadi
Position: Forward
Height: 6-1
Weight: 185
Birthdate: May 14, 1998
Age: 24
Birthplace: Detroit, Michigan
Last club: Loudoun United FC (USL Championship)
Bio: Liadi joins Huntsville City FC after a season with Loudon United FC where he made 24 appearances. Prior to joining the USL Championship, Liadi spent two seasons in USL League One where he scored 10 goals and recorded 13 assists
Chrisnovic (Chris) N'sa
Position: Defender
Height: 6-0
Weight: 170
Birthdate: Jan. 28, 1999
Age: 23
Birthplace: Montreal, Quebec
Last club: York United (Canadian Premier League)
Bio: N’sa joins HCFC after spending three seasons in the Canadian Premier League. The last two seasons N’sa played for York United, teammates with the first-ever signing in HCFC history Isaiah Johnston. The past two campaigns saw N’sa record 52 appearances on the right side of the pitch.
Cyrus Rad
Position: Defender
Height: 6-0
Weight: 181
Birthdate: July 10, 1999
Age: 23
Birthplace: Durham, North Carolina
Last club: Forward Madison FC (USL League One)
Bio: Rad appeared in 40 matches for Forward Madison in USL League One over the past two seasons. The defender recorded six assists in his time with Forward Madison, including five this past season.
Ollie Wright
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-10
Weight: 170
Birthdate: March 1, 1999
Age: 23
Birthplace: London, England
Last club: Rio Grande Valley FC Toros (USL Championship)
Bio: Wright joins HCFC after a two-year stint in the Lone Star State playing for San Antonio FC and the Rio Grande Valley Fc Toros where he made 18 appearances.
HUNTSVILLE CITY ROSTER AS OF FEB. 6, 2023
Goalkeepers: John Berner
Defenders: Chrisnovic (Chris) N'sa, Josh Drack, Perrin Barnes, and Cyrus Rad
Midfielders: Isaiah Johnston, Nick Law, Jonathan Bolanos, Danny Griffin, and Ollie Wright
Forwards: Azaad Liadi