MNUFC2 announced today that the club has recalled goalkeeper Alec Smir from Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC of the USL Championship.

With Switchbacks FC to-date in 2023, Smir made one game appearance and start during the team’s 2023 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Second Round fixture against Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC that went into added extra time, an eventual 3-1 defeat.

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 last year 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 recalls goalkeeper Alec Smir from Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC of the United Soccer League (USL) Championship.

VITALS
Alec Smir
Position: Goalkeeper
Date of birth: 4.13.1999 (24 years old)
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 190
Hometown: Greensboro, North Carolina
Birthplace: San Antonio, Texas
Citizenship: United States