WINDSOR, Colo. – The Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC announced today the club has re-signed defender Leo Folla, pending league and federation approval.
Folla followed head coach Eamon Zayed to NoCo after the two played two seasons together in Chattanooga. What Zayed saw from Folla through 31 matches there – notably, capturing the team lead in clearances and racking up the second-most interceptions – convinced him to sign the six-foot-three-inch central defender.
It didn’t take much convincing to sign Folla for a second season, and that makes his manager a happy man.
“I’m delighted that he’s agreed to come back. He could’ve gone elsewhere, but he chose to come back to Colorado because he loves it here,” Zayed said. “He plays a big, big part in everything we do on and off the pitch. I have no doubt that he’s going to be a big, big part for us in 2023.”
The part Folla played in 2022 saw him start 16 of the 21 matches in which he appeared. He tied for second on the team in blocks (8) and finished fourth in clearances (32). The New Yorker netted his lone goal at Richmond on June 18, a set-piece opportunity assisted by fellow defender Rob Cornwall.
The pieces are in place for Folla’s second go-round in NoCo: A coach he believes in, a group with history, heart, and hunger, and a simple goal they all share.
“We’re just looking to challenge for that championship and make up for last season. We know we could’ve achieved a lot more,” Folla said. “Now, we have a foundation in place, and that can really give us the chance to flourish. I’m very confident in that, and that was a big part in me deciding to ultimately choose this over other options. The ceiling is really high with this club.”
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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