Four Otters Return for the 2020 Season
The summer season will once again see some of the top college players from around the country come to Johnson City to compete in USL League Two. With the bulk of last year’s team graduating from college, the Otters will enter a new era looking to find the next generation of players. However, there will still be some familiar faces in the blue and green this summer as four players will be returning — one from each season the Otters have played — and Carlos Rubio will be taking the assistant coaching role.
First, in goal, the Otters will return Cole Hunter (Lander) from last year’s squad. Hunter appeared in two matches for the Otters last summer during a friendly against NPSL-side Greenville FC and in the season finale against Tobacco Road. At Lander this fall, Hunter was pressed into action and performed admirably. Stepping in halfway through the conference semifinal game at 1–1, Hunter kept a shutout the rest of the way for a 3–1 Bearcats win. Hunter played the full 90 minutes in the final, but Lander ultimately fell 1–0 to Francis Marion.
Next to return to Johnson City is centerback Matthew Perry (Bradley). Perry played with the Otters in 2018, serving as the primary backup for Guillermo Segovia at forward. Perry ultimately appeared in five matches. When he returned to Bradley for his senior season he made the switch to centerback and made eleven appearances for the Braves to conclude his college career.
On the left side, as both a defender and an attacker, Cameron Morton (Lees-McRae) will be back after initially playing with the Otters during the 2017 season. Despite not appearing in any matches, he made the gameday roster on several occasions. The junior appeared in eleven matches for the Bobcats last fall, recording seven shots.
Finally, the Otters will return an original from the Otters 2016 inaugural season. Asheville-native Aidan O’Brien (La Salle) will play as a box-to-box midfielder for the blue and green this summer. Following his season with the Otters in 2016, O’Brien finished his high school career and played two seasons at the University of South Carolina. O’Brien transferred north to La Salle and just completed his first season with the Explorers, making eight starts over fourteen appearances and recording ten shots on goal.
All signings are pending league and federation approval.
We are under a month away from the start of the 2020 season. You can find season tickets HERE and go to ottersoccer.com for information regarding camp, events, and other news. Be sure to follow the Otters on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram so you don’t miss any updates! #FearTheFur
