UCFC sign three-time champion Dantas
UTICA, NY (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY) — Utica City FC announced a big signing of an eleven-year veteran to their 2024-25 team on Wednesday.
Utica City announced on Wednesday, October 16 that they have signed forward Vinicius Dantas to a contract. Dantas is an eleven-year MASL veteran, scoring 213 goals in 163 games with the Baltimore Blast, Tacoma Stars, Florida Tropics, and the Texas Outlaws.
"Vini is a player we've had our eye on for some time. His ability to score from anywhere on the field, combined with his experience and leadership, makes him an invaluable asset to our team," UCFC general manager Tommy Tanner said in a statement. "We're confident that Vini will help take our offensive game to the next level and excite our fans this season."
Excluding the COVID-shortened 2019-20 season, Dantas has played in the Ron Newman Cup playoffs every year since joining the league, scoring 31 goals in 35 appearances. He is also in the top ten all-time in:
goals scored (7th, with 213)
career points (8th, with 319),
career shots (6th, with 831),
career game-winning goals (5th, with 24)
career power-play goals (5th, with 37).
Dantas also has the fastest goal to start a quarter in MASL history, only taking four seconds to score against Rochester in 2020.
"I'm extremely excited to be joining Utica City FC. The atmosphere the fans create during game days is incredible and I cannot wait to suit up and play in front of them," Dantas said in a statement. "I'm very thankful for the Utica staff for giving me the opportunity to do what I love and to be able to fight to bring a championship to Utica."
Utica City FC will begin their 2024-25 campaign on Friday, December 13 against the Empire Strykers. Their home opener will be on Sunday, December 29 against the Harrisburg Heat.
