Young Blood: Analyzing MOBA's Latest Signings - Santiago Moore

Comradery and teamwork are the cornerstones for a successful soccer team. A team with only one player who handles to ball is never going to score. A team with only one player who plays defense is bound to get scored on. A top-tier football club require both comradery and teamwork to win, and a team can build those qualities through practice and preparation prior to every game. One of the best things a team can do, however, is to build a roster with players who are already familiar with one another. Players who have played together, know each other's play styles and their capabilities as an athlete, and can feed off each other's success can breed success for almost every team.

Santiago Moore - Dalton State College

Out of Queens, New York, Santiago Moore represents a key part of what MOBA lacked last season: vision. A player with vision can see the whole field in one glance, then know exactly what to do with the ball, and exactly where to go. This trait is crucial to the survival of all players, and especially players in the middle and up front. Playing at Bayside High School in New York, Moore led the Commodores to a great deal of success, both in the regular season and the playoffs, as the team managed to reach their first ever state playoff semi-final during his tenure. Moore also played club soccer as a member of the Bayside Aston Villa Flames. During his time with the Flames, Moore saw even more success, winning a New York State Cup with the team prior to joining Albertson Soccer Club. His playing capabilities and prowess received national attention, as he was selected to the first U.S. National Team pool for players born in 1995.

Following high school, Moore went south and found a home at Dalton State College, where he would team up with new MOBA talent Daniel Valenciano. In his first season with the Roadrunners, Moore found himself thriving in the offensive scheme, scoring eight goals, including the first goal of the year in a 1-0 win against Florida Memorial, along with eight assists, which was most on the team. Moore started thirteen of the team's fourteen regular season games as they went 13-3-1 (see feature on Daniel Valenciano for full recap of Dalton State's season). Following the season, Moore was named to the SSAC All-Tournament team alongside Valenciano, as well as being named to the SSAC All-Conference team and was voted Offensive MVP. Moore was also one of ten Roadrunners to finish the year with a 3.0+ GPA.

Santiago Moore isn't just an experienced college player, however. During the summer of 2016, Moore also put on the maroon and white for NPSL side Memphis City FC. Starting all fourteen games for Memphis in their inaugural year, he scored seven goals (1st on the team) and notched four assists, as City FC made it to the Southeastern Conference Finals where they fell to Chattanooga FC. Moore was selected as the NPSL SE Conference Player of the Week on several different occasions as well as winning the 2016 Volunteer Shield Golden Boot.

Coming into the new season, MOBA will be looking to be on the front foot from the get go, and the addition of Santiago Moore alongside Daniel Valenciano, Todd Fidler, and Jackson Morse is exactly the way to do that. Having players who can find holes and split defenses with ease is vital to a team's success, and Moore will be providing exactly that. A player with the potential to go pro following college, he will be a more than welcome addition to the 2017 squad.

MOBA to Play Friendly Against Liga MAGG side Pumas

MOBA announced April 25th they have scheduled a friendly against Pumas, a Liga MAGG squad out of East Point. One of the top adult leagues in Georgia, Liga MAGG boasts a rich Hispanic history with teams from all around the Piedmont. Pumas, one of the most successful teams in the league, has seen their team win several Georgia Adult State Championships over the years. Kickoff between Peachtree City MOBA and Pumas is scheduled for 7:30 PM on May 6th at MOBA Soccer Academy. Admission will be free. Come out and support the yellow and black as they prepare for the new season!

#MOBAProud

Images from Memphis City FC and Pumas

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