December 7, 2022 – United Soccer League One (USL1) – Chattanooga Red Wolves SC News Release
The Chattanooga Red Wolves have announced that Aaron Lombardi, Carlos Avilez, Nico Cardona, & Moe Espinoza will be returning for the 2023 season, with more returning players to be announced shortly.
“We have a strong base of returning players coming back for 2023”, says Chattanooga Red Wolves GM & President Sean McDaniel. “Aaron, Moe, Nico and Carlos all had solid first years for the club and we are looking forward to seeing them on the pitch at CHI Memorial Stadium in 2023. We have more returning players to announce in the coming days & weeks.”
Aaron Lombardi will return for the the 2023 USL League One season. The stalwart 26-year-old Argentinian left-back was a main
stay in the Red Wolves backline throughout the 2022 campaign, registering 29 appearances and 27 stars in league play. Lombardi tallied 1 goal, a stunning volley against North Carolina FC, and 3 assists from defense and tallied a 69.4% tackle success rate to go alongside 41 interceptions in league play.
Carlos Avilez will return for the 2023 USL League One season. The dynamic 23-year-old American goalkeeper has competed at the highest level of American soccer with FC Dallas and also represented Mexico’s U-18 national team. Avilez made 28 appearances with 26 starts for the Red Wolves in 2022, keeping 6 clean sheets in league play as well as 58 saves. The resident Spiderman in goal, Avilez won the USL League One save of the month award in May for an outstanding close range stop against Greenville and also won the league’s Save of the Playoffs award for an outrageous save against Union Omaha at CHI Memorial Stadium.
Nico Cardona will return for the 2023 USL League One season. The 22-year-old center back, who captains the Puerto Rican national team in international play, registered 22 appearances with 14 starts in league play in the 2022 campaign. Cardona scored a goal and registered an assist from the backline and had an outstanding tackle success rate of 75.6% to go alongside 2.7 clearances per 90 minutes of league play.
Moe Espinoza is returning for the 2023 USL League One season. The dynamic 22-year-old American attacking midfielder with a habit of scoring long-range golazos has made appearances for the U-18 and U-19 USMNT squads and registered 25 appearances for the club in 2022 with 20 starts in league play. Moe tallied 15 goal contributions in league play (8 goals, 7 assists) which led the way for…