By Jinseong Kim
AFC Ann Arbor is excited to announce the signing of Zion Beaton for the 2022 USL League Two season. Beaton becomes the fifth player from Michigan to join men’s delegation ahead of this campaign, joining Shion Soga, Josh Adam, Hemi Nasser, and Louis Sala.
Beaton is a product of Southeastern Michigan youth club soccer. An alumni of the Michigan Wolves Academy, Beaton emerged over his youth career as one of the top prospects in the area. Prior to college, the forward was selected as 2015 Division I Michigan High School All-State Selection, and participated in the Olympic Development Program.
Beaton’s college career commenced at Duquesne University at Pittsburgh. After a promising year at the NCAA D1 side with 15 appearances, he transferred to Wright State University at Dayton. With the Raiders, he consistently gained play time. After sitting out in 2018 due to NCAA’s transfer rules at the time, Beaton scored one goal and notched two assists in a total of 629 minutes of action the following year. As a team, the Raiders reached the NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Tournament’s Second Round, toppling Notre Dame, before ironically meeting the end of the road in Ann Arbor, falling in penalties to Michigan.
In the short 2021 spring season, Beaton logged three goals and one assist in nine matches. Beaton’s consistent efforts on the pitch were rewarded in his senior season, where he played a total of 893 minutes (over 15 games) and netted four goals over the campaign.
Beaton is one of the players who was impacted by the cancellation of the season and COVID-19 issue. After years of effort, he finally committed his summer to the Mighty Oak. “I am very excited to join AFCAA this upcoming season. I have been reaching out to play for the club for the past two summers but was not able to due to COVID-19 cancellations. This year I finally have a chance to make an impact in Ann Arbor, and I cannot wait to get started.”
Beaton played club soccer at the Midwest Premier League, for Detroit City FC U23 and Livonia City FC. He won the Eastern Division at DCFC U23, along with Shion Soga, who joined the Mighty Oak in late February. For Beaton, playing at USL League Two is a new challenge, as well as an essential step forward.
“Playing USL League Two so close to home has definitely been a goal of mine for a while. I grew up playing club soccer here in Michigan so it is inspiring that I was able to climb the ranks and play at this level,” Beaton noted, in discussing what this new task means to him.
Beaton said about himself as a player, “I am hard working and driven and I want to do what it takes to help my team be successful. Personally, people would probably say I am outgoing and friendly. I like to have a good time and enjoy what I do with great people around me.”
Club Sporting Director Eric Rudland emphasized the importance of his local background and praised his attacking-minded play style. “Zion’s an important local addition. He brings nice attacking intangibles to the team attack. Zion was meant to be with us for the 2021 season, so it’s great to have him able to join us now for 2022.”
In discussing season goals, Beaton noted the desire to make a big splash, saying, “This season I personally would love to lead the team in goals and play a big role in making it to USL League Two playoffs. I hope to find the back of the net on many occasions.”
The club again welcomes Zion to the Mighty Oak family after a long wait and wish him a fruitful, positive season as well as the entire men’s and women’s squad.
About AFC Ann Arbor
Association Football Club Ann Arbor (AFC Ann Arbor) was founded in 2014 and competes in USL2 (men’s) and USLW (women’s) national amateur leagues. We are a community-based club, focused on equity, justice, and anti-racism. We consider all of our stakeholders, including supporters, players, staff, and ownership to be part of the #AFCAAFamily. Come On You Mighty Oak!