With the start of the NISA regular season just a few weeks away, Albion San Diego has announced that midfielder Jonathan Bazaes will be returning with the team for 2023.

The 20-year-old Bazaes was a key reason why Albion made it all the way to the finals last season with several outstanding performances including scoring a goal in the 74th minute of the 4-2 semifinal victory over the top-seeded Cal United Strikers, which allowed his team to reach the championship match.

“We have high expectations for this season,” he said. “We expect to make the playoffs and the final again, hopefully bringing the trophy to San Diego.”

Before joining Albion San Diego for its rookie season as a member of NISA, Bazaes developed his skills in Florida playing club soccer for teams including the Florida Fusion of the United Premier Soccer League. Bazaes played in 15 matches last year for Albion including the playoff game against Cal United coming in as a second-half substitute in the 63rd minute for Lennyn Carreon and providing the pivotal goal that broke a 2-2 tie.

“I’m very confident that we’re going to build a very strong group of experienced players this year who will help us fight for the title again,” he added. “We have a new head coach who is very experienced and knows a lot about the game. I’m very excited to be playing for him, he’s a very good coach and I know we will go very far with him.”

Despite the fact that no one in his immediate family plays soccer, Bazaes grew up admiring Chilean national team forward Alexis Sanchez who is one of his inspirations for becoming a soccer player. Even before Albion San Diego’s regular season opener at home on April 16 versus Chattanooga FC, Bazaes and the rest of his team will get to once again test themselves in the second round of the Lamar Hunt U.S Open Cup against USL Championship side San Diego Loyal with the hopes of getting some payback for last year.

“We’re both from San Diego so it’s a really big game for us,” said Bazaes. “We put up a good fight against them. This year we’re going to come out strong, we want it more than them. We’re a young squad, so we’ll see who takes it home this time but it will be a good game.”

The preseason schedule will have Albion San Diego play against teams such as Xolos de Tijuana of Liga MX on March 9 in Mexico and LA Galaxy of Major League Soccer on March 12.

Foto cortesía: David Frerker