WINDSOR, Colo. – Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC announced today the club has signed forward Valentin Sabella for the 2023 season.
Back in 2019, just months after graduating high school, Sabella scored national acclaim by scoring perhaps the biggest goal of his life.
He led United Premier Soccer League side Florida Soccer Soldiers over then-USL Championship side Charlotte Independence in the second round of that year’s Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Sabella sparked the Cinderella story with a game-tying goal in the 119th minute of extra time. His team was playing with 10 men. The Soccer Soldiers survived by pulling off the cupset in penalties.
Those heroics happened in mid-May. By mid-June, Sabella signed a contract with the team he’d just helped upset.
Thus started his three-year tenure in Charlotte. Sabella started half of the 18 matches he played during his first season. In 2021, he contributed a career-best three goals and helped the club to a sixth-place Championship finish.
He and Irvin Parra, a fellow forward, actually shared the field that season. On September 18, Sabella assisted Parra’s 81st-minute game-winner, his 10th goal of the year, after being subbed into the game just two minutes prior.
The Buenos Aires-born Sabella finished 2021 by making three appearances for Cancun FC of Liga de Expansion MX. In March 2022, he signed with MLS NEXT Pro’s Tacoma Defiance where he logged two goals and an assist in 15 appearances.
As long as Sabella’s been playing professionally, he’s made an impact. And as long as Eamon Zayed has been Hailstorm’s head coach, he’s wanted to see that impact up close.
“I tried to sign Valentin as soon as I got this job. As soon as I saw him, I knew he was somebody that I’d like to bring in,” Zayed said. “He’s young, hungry, ambitious, and talented. He’s eager to show what he’s capable of. He’s a quality, quality signing for us.”
The 23-year-old is confident he’s landed in a quality spot.
“I’m really excited to be arriving in Northern Colorado and calling it home,” Sabella said. “I’m looking forward to a successful season and giving the best of me to the club, teammates, staff and fans.”
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The future home of Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC, 118-acre Future Legends Complex, will feature 6,500-seat TicketSmarter Stadium, 2,500-seat Future Legends Field, multiple baseball diamonds, multi-purpose fields, an indoor sports arena, lodging, and retail; and will host guests for major sports leagues, tournaments, events and more.
More information is available at HailstormFC.com and FutureLegendsComplex.com.