By Jinseong Kim
AFC Ann Arbor bid an official welcome to Jared Mazzola for the USL League Two season. Mazzola has already showcased in front of the home fans in the home opener against Oakland County FC. The goalkeeper kept a clean score sheet and contributed to AFCAA’s tremendous 5-0 victory.
Mazzola has been one of the top goalkeepers in the collegiate soccer league during his NCAA Division I career. At the MAAC side Quinnipiac University, he has been the regular choice goalkeeper of the Bobcats in all four seasons he spent. The one to highlight is his final year as a senior/graduate student. Mazzola was selected as the MAAC Goalkeeper of the Year, and to the All-MAAC squad, after recording a .818 save percentage and allowing only one goal per game on average.
His impressive NCAA performances would catch the eye of New York Red Bulls U23, a reserve side of the MLS franchise New York Red Bulls which competed in the USL League Two Eastern Conference, Metropolitan Division, until 2021. In his inaugural USL2 season, Mazzola appeared in five games and allowed only one goal throughout the season. His performance helped NYRB U23 to Conference Quarterfinals.
Recalling back a year when he began to hit his stride, Mazzola revealed how much he had improved as a player in the 2021 season. “2021 was a good year for me, I was able to help contribute to a school title during the regular season, and I was fortunate to have gotten some recognition as the 2021 Goalkeeper of the Year. The transition from Quinnipiac to Red Bulls was great, and I was fortunate for my time at Red Bulls. I was in an excellent environment and got good game minutes.”
On becoming part of the Mighty Oak family, Mazzola expressed his excitement on it. “Overall, I am very excited to join AFCAA! Since I have been here, I have felt very welcomed and am enjoying training and the accommodations. I chose this club because my agent and I both felt that it was a good move for me. There is great exposure in this league, and I am excited to be a part of a great club!”
Mazzola pointed out dedication and affability as his strengths. “As a person, I would say that I am very work-oriented and am focused on making football my career. With that being said, I love to joke around and have fun with my teammates.”
Men’s Head Coach Rod Asllani agreed on Mazzola’s self evaluation, highlighting dedication as the primary reason why the Albanian started him in the goal. “Jared has been training well since he joined us so he earned the start. All the good work he’s done in training showed during the game. He shows confidence and that gives the team more security and calmness.”
Wrapping the discussion up, Mazzola revealed his ambition to stand on top along with the talented squad. “For this season, my goals are simply to aim as high as possible. I would love to play a part in capturing another title for this club, as well as playing genuine classic team football. From what I've seen from the squad so far, why can't we go all the way?”
We look forward to a positive start of the season with Jared’s ambition held in our mind.
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!