MNUFC2 announced today that the club will loan goalkeeper Alec Smir to Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC of the USL Championship for the 2023 season with the right to recall Smir at any time throughout the duration of the loan.

“With a strong goalkeeper corps at our club, we think this is a great opportunity for Alec to get impactful playing time and to continue to build on his experience and development as a player,” said MNUFC2 Head Coach Cameron Knowles. “I’m looking forward to seeing his continued growth at the USL Championship level, and now is the perfect time for this opportunity.”

Smir – who in November 2022 signed a one-year MLS NEXT Pro contract extension with MNUFC2 through the 2023 season, with a club option for 2024 – made eight game appearances, all starts, for the Twos in their inaugural season while earning three wins and one shutout. The North Carolina native notably was selected to participate in the 2022 MLS All-Star Skills Challenge in the return of “Goalie Wars”, defeating three other MLS NEXT Pro goalkeepers to win the surprise event at Allianz Field in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Prior to joining MNUFC2, Smir was selected 62nd overall in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft by FC Dallas. Collegiately, the goalkeeper played for the University of North Carolina where he started all 18 of the Tarheel games in 2020, led the ACC in shutouts, played all minutes during the NCAA College Cup and was named Second-Team All-South Region. Smir left UNC with a record of 21 wins, eight losses, and six draws.

Transaction: MNUFC2 loans goalkeeper Alec Smir to Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC of the United Soccer League (USL) Championship on a Loan Agreement for the 2023 season. This agreement contains a right to recall the player at any time throughout the duration of the loan.

VITALS
Alec Smir
Position: Goalkeeper
Date of birth: 4.13.1999 (23 years old)
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 190
Hometown: Greensboro, North Carolina
Birthplace: San Antonio, Texas
Citizenship: United States