CARY, N.C. (Aug. 1, 2018) – The North Carolina Football Club has announced that NCFC U-23 player Nick Retzlaff was awarded the Farouk Bseiso Award for his commitment during the team’s 2018 Premier Development League (PDL) season. Retzlaff will receive the award at halftime during North Carolina FC’s match against the Charleston Battery on Saturday, Aug. 4 with members from the Bseiso family in attendance.
The award is meant to recognize a player that has shown exemplary dedication and commitment to the success of the North Carolina FC U-23 program, while honoring the legacy of former U-23 player Farouk Bseiso, who passed away in 2014.
Bseiso played with the club’s U-23 squad for three years, including the 2011 USASA U-23 championship team. He was also a four-year letter winner with the NC State men’s soccer program from 2008-11 and served as a team captain of the Wolfpack in 2011.
“We’re extremely happy to honor the legacy of Farouk Bseiso who throughout his time with our organization represented the U-23 side with passion and commitment,” said NCFC U-23 Head Coach Dewan Bader. “He exemplified all the qualities you look for in a player and a person – hard working, respectful, encouraging and kind. He will forever be missed.”
Retzlaff played a huge role on and off the field for NCFC U-23 in 2018. He logged 1,069 minutes across 13 matches during the summer. While primarily playing as the team’s midfield tactician, the Wake Forest, N.C., native helped guide the U-23 team to its most successful season since returning to the PDL. Retzlaff is helping continue NCFC's youth-to-pro pipeline and is also a product of the NCFC Youth Academy.
“Nick’s engine in the middle of the park sets the standard for everyone else.” added Bader. “He’s always working hard, he’s always got a great mentality and he’s always pushing other people. He was a focal point of how we played this season. We played through him a lot. He’s very good on the ball and he’s very composed, for the way we want to play, it’s important to have somebody like that in the middle of the field for us.”
Retzlaff plays his college soccer with NC State and has starred with the Wolfpack in a central midfield role. He’s totaled over 800 minutes minutes in 25 contests, including helping the team earn an at-large berth to the NCAA Tournament in 2017.
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CARY, N.C. (Aug. 1, 2018) – The North Carolina Football Club has announced that NCFC U-23 player Nick Retzlaff was awarded the Farouk Bseiso Award for his commitment during the team’s 2018 Premier Development League (PDL) season. Retzlaff will receive the award at halftime during North Carolina FC’s match against the Charleston Battery on Saturday, Aug. 4 with members from the Bseiso family in attendance.
The award is meant to recognize a player that has shown exemplary dedication and commitment to the success of the North Carolina FC U-23 program, while honoring the legacy of former U-23 player Farouk Bseiso, who passed away in 2014.
Bseiso played with the club’s U-23 squad for three years, including the 2011 USASA U-23 championship team. He was also a four-year letter winner with the NC State men’s soccer program from 2008-11 and served as a team captain of the Wolfpack in 2011.
“We’re extremely happy to honor the legacy of Farouk Bseiso who throughout his time with our organization represented the U-23 side with passion and commitment,” said NCFC U-23 Head Coach Dewan Bader. “He exemplified all the qualities you look for in a player and a person – hard working, respectful, encouraging and kind. He will forever be missed.”
Retzlaff played a huge role on and off the field for NCFC U-23 in 2018. He logged 1,069 minutes across 13 matches during the summer. While primarily playing as the team’s midfield tactician, the Wake Forest, N.C., native helped guide the U-23 team to its most successful season since returning to the PDL. Retzlaff is helping continue NCFC’s youth-to-pro pipeline and is also a product of the NCFC Youth Academy.
“Nick’s engine in the middle of the park sets the standard for everyone else.” added Bader. “He’s always working hard, he’s always got a great mentality and he’s always pushing other people. He was a focal point of how we played this season. We played through him a lot. He’s very good on the ball and he’s very composed, for the way we want to play, it’s important to have somebody like that in the middle of the field for us.”
Retzlaff plays his college soccer with NC State and has starred with the Wolfpack in a central midfield role. He’s totaled over 800 minutes minutes in 25 contests, including helping the team earn an at-large berth to the NCAA Tournament in 2017.
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