January 5, 2024 – United Soccer League One (USL1) – Spokane Velocity FC News Release
Spokane Velocity FC continues filling its inaugural roster with the signings of three players with USL League One and Championship experience, and two promising college players.
Striker Josh Dolling, goalkeeper Carlos Merancio, midfielder Grayson Dupont, right back Javier Martín Gil, and center midfielder Jack Denton all will don the Velocity kit when USL League One action begins in March, pending league and federation approval. Three have at least two years of experience in the professional soccer ranks in the United States, and two boast shining collegiate careers.
Josh Dolling
Position: Striker
Jersey: 9
Hometown: Hillingdon, London
Age: 26
Raised in London, England, striker Josh Dolling played with Manchester United and Burnley’s academy teams. He moved to the United States in 2017 to play at Missouri State University, where he was named to the Hermann Trophy watch list ahead of his senior season. A three-time All American, Dolling was named to the All-Missouri Valley Conference First Team four consecutive seasons.
Dolling made his professional debut with St. Louis City 2 of the MLS Next Pro league, scoring eight goals in regular season play, and one in the playoffs. In 2023, he signed with New Mexico United of USL Championship, where he played for half a season before being loaned to Las Vegas Lights FC. In 27 matches for New Mexico and Las Vegas, he played more than 1,100 minutes and is credited with four assists. Three of those came on April 29, 2023, when New Mexico United faced Orange County FC, making him the first player in United history to make three assists in a single game. Dolling has also made 5 U.S. Open Cup appearances, scoring a total of 4 goals.
Carlos Merancio
Position: Goalkeeper
Jersey: 1
Hometown: Hermosillo, Mexico
Age: 25
Goalkeeper Carlos Merancio, who hails from Hermosillo, Mexico, made his professional debut in 2018, playing in a match for the Monarcas Morelia Premier of the Mexican Football League. He moved to the United States in 2019, signing on with Tucson FC of USL One. In 2019 and 2020 with Tucson FC, Merancio played in 22 matches and recorded 1,980 minutes, three clean sheets and had save success rates of 67.2
(2019) and 65.8 percent (2020). After a year with Hartford of USL Championship, Merancio returned to Tucson, where in 2022 he started in 29 matches, played 2,600 minutes, and recorded five clean sheets.
In 2023, Merancio returned to USL…