By Liv Rives
As we move closer to the start of the 2021 Mississippi Brilla FC season, we'll take a look at the roster unit by unit. Today, the team's forwards will be previewed.
The Attacking Unit
Juan David Herrera (Cali, Columbia) from Georgia Military College is a dynamic addition to Brilla this season. In 2019, Herrera had 26 goals (six of them being game winners), nine assists, and was a Second Team All-American.
Jalen James (Grand Prairie, Texas) scored five goals and added two assists this spring with Campbell University. The former U-15 National Team member was named First Team All-Big South and Second Team All-South Region.
Another Campbell product, Adrian Morales (Midland, Texas), has a big personality both on and off the field. In 2019, he made 20 appearances, scored four goals, added two assists and was tied for fourth in the Big South with two game-winning goals. He was also a member of the Big South All-Freshman team.
Clinton native Miles Sims brings positivity and extra attacking flair to the team. During his Clinton High School career, he had 40 goals, 17 assists, and was awarded MVP and Most Outstanding Offensive Player. The Howard University player was a member of Brilla’s College Training Academy last summer.
Ciro Damine (Santa Fe, Argentina) from Keiser University is a great finisher who has a proven record of scoring goals in USL League Two. He scored seven goals with the Western Mass Pioneers in 2019. In the same year with Keiser, he was an NAIA Honorable Mention All-American and an All-Conference selection, scoring 14 goals and four assists in the process.
James Ndubueze (Paderborn, Germany) from Azusa Pacific University is a wonderful asset to the team with his presence on the field as well as how tactful and powerful his attacks are. This 2019 First Team All-American and two-time All-PacWest First team selection had six multi-goal games in 2019 and scored five game-winners.
Santi Diosa (Brandon, Miss.) has had a feel for the Clinton atmosphere as a player at Mississippi College. Throughout the spring of 2021, he made six appearances, tallied two starts, and scored in the GSC Spring Championship Series Semifinals against Christian Brothers.
Arturo Astorga (El Paso, Texas), Ndubueze's teammate at Azusa Pacific, can also contribute to the attack. Though he may primarily be used as a defender, he finished his college career with 27 goals and 29 assists.
Season
The first time you can catch this unit in action is the Mississippi Brilla FC season opener. The season will kick off with a home game against Round Rock SC on May 15th at 7:00 p.m. Clinton High School will be the venue, and the complete Brilla schedule can be viewed HERE.