2026 AV Alta FC season

AV Alta
2026 season
OwnerJohn Smelzer
J. David Harden
Bob Roback
PresidentJohn Smelzer
Head coachBrian Kleiban
StadiumLancaster Municipal Stadium

The 2026 AV Alta FC season is the second season in the club's existence as well as their second in USL League One, the third-tier of American soccer.

Players and staff

Current roster

As of March 7, 2026

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
2 DF  USA Christian Ortiz
3 DF  USA Alfredo Ortiz
4 DF  COL Miguel Pajaro
5 MF  BEN Maboumou Alassane
6 MF  PAN Osvaldo Lay
7 MF  HAI Jerry Desdunes
9 FW  USA Joaquin Acuna
10 MF  USA Miguel Ibarra
11 MF  FRA Ilias Aoumaich
12 DF  USA Nick Relerford
15 DF  NOR Mathias Winum
16 DF  USA Erick Gonzalez
17 MF  PHI Javier Mariona
18 MF  USA Adam Aoumaich
No. Pos. Nation Player
19 FW  JAM Collin Anderson
20 FW  GHA Godwin Antwi
21 MF  USA Jimmie Villalobos
22 GK  TRI Denzil Smith
23 MF  USA Renden Thomas
27 GK  USA Djibril Doumbia
31 MF  USA Adrian Villafranco ([A])
34 MF  USA Aaron Huerta ([A])
41 MF  USA Erik Hernandez Jr ([A])
42 DF  USA Juaquin Garcia Jr. ([A])
44 DF  BUL Kaloyan Pehlivanov
45 DF  USA Steven Ramos
47 FW  USA Jose Lopez ([A])
99 MF  USA Cesar Bahena
  1. ^
    USL Academy Contract

Transfers

In

Date Position Number Name from Type Fee Ref.
May 15, 2026 GK 27 Djibril Doumbia New Mexico United End of Loan NA
January 28, 2026 FW 20 Godwin Antwi San Diego Toreros signing NA [1]
January 29, 2026 MF 11 Ilias Aoumaich Pau FC signing NA [2]
January 31, 2026 FW 19 Collin Anderson Al-Khaboura SC signing NA [3]
February 3, 2026 DF 42 Juaquin Garcia AV Alta FC Academy Academy Contract NA [4]
February 5, 2026 DF 15 Mathias Winum UC Irvine Anteaters signing NA [5]
February 7, 2026 MF 23 Renden Thomas LA FC Academy signing NA [6]
February 8, 2026 DF 12 Nick Relerford Cal State Fullerton Titans signing NA [7]
March 4, 2026 MF 99 Cesar Bahena San Diego Toreros signing NA [8]
March 6, 2026 FW 47 Jose Lopez AV Alta FC Academy Academy Contract NA [9]

Out

Date Position Number Name To Type Fee Ref.
December 12, 2025 MF 19 Sebastian Cruz Tampa Bay Rowdies Signing NA [10]
December 13, 2025 FW 8 Emmanuel Alaribe [[]] Roster Decisions NA
December 13, 2025 DF 8 Ashkanov Apollon [[]] Roster Decisions NA
December 13, 2025 GK 23 Carlos Avilez [[]] Roster Decisions NA
December 13, 2025 FW 11 Alexis Cerritos Corpus Christi FC Roster Decisions NA [11]
December 13, 2025 DF 3 Elijah Martin [[]] Roster Decisions NA
December 13, 2025 DF 80 Walmer Martinez [[]] Roster Decisions NA
December 13, 2025 DF 4 Luca Mastrantonio FC Naples Roster Decisions NA [12]
December 17, 2025 MF 30 Eduardo Blancas Monterey Bay FC signing NA [13]
December 20, 2025 MF 35 Harrison Robledo [[]] Roster Decisions NA

Non-competitive fixtures

Friendlies

February 21 Orange County SC v AV Alta FC Irvine, California
Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium

Competitive fixtures

Regular Season

March 7 1 AV Alta FC 1–1 Richmond Kickers Lancaster, California
8:30 PM PDT
  • Desdunes 27' (pen.)
  • Relerford  50'
  • Pehlivanov  90+4'
 Report
Stadium: Lancaster Municipal Stadium
Attendance: 4,508
Referee: Corbyn May
March 14 2 South Georgia Tormenta FC v AV Alta FC Statesboro, Georgia
Stadium: Tormenta Stadium
Note: Game cancelled following South Georgia Tormenta FC's withdrawal from USL League One.[14]
March 21 3 AV Alta FC v Portland Hearts of Pine Lancaster, California
Stadium: Lancaster Municipal Stadium
March 28 4 AV Alta FC v Chattanooga Red Wolves SC Lancaster, California
Stadium: Lancaster Municipal Stadium
April 4 5 AV Alta FC v Union Omaha Lancaster, California
Stadium: Lancaster Municipal Stadium
April 7 6 Spokane Velocity v AV Alta FC Spokane, Washington
Stadium: One Spokane Stadium
April 11 7 AV Alta FC v Athletic Club Boise Lancaster, California
Stadium: Lancaster Municipal Stadium
April 18 8 Sarasota Paradise v AV Alta FC Lakewood Ranch, Florida
Stadium: Premier Sports Campus
May 2 9 AV Alta FC v South Georgia Tormenta FC Lancaster, California
Stadium: Lancaster Municipal Stadium
Note: Game cancelled following South Georgia Tormenta FC's withdrawal from USL League One.[14]
May 9 10 AV Alta FC v Forward Madison FC Lancaster, California
Stadium: Lancaster Municipal Stadium
May 23 11 AV Alta FC v New York Cosmos Lancaster, California
Stadium: Lancaster Municipal Stadium
May 30 12 Fort Wayne FC v AV Alta FC Fort Wayne, Indiana
Stadium: Fort Wayne FC Park
June 10 13 AV Alta FC v Sarasota Paradise Lancaster, California
Stadium: Lancaster Municipal Stadium
June 13 14 AV Alta FC v Spokane Velocity Lancaster, California
Stadium: Lancaster Municipal Stadium
June 20 15 Greenville Triumph SC v AV Alta FC Mauldin, South Carolina
Stadium: GE Vernova Park
June 24 16 Corpus Christi FC v AV Alta FC Corpus Christi, Texas
Stadium: Corpus Christi Sports Complex
July 1 17 Union Omaha v AV Alta FC Omaha, Nebraska
Stadium: Morrison Stadium
July 5 18 AV Alta FC v Charlotte Independence Lancaster, California
Stadium: Lancaster Municipal Stadium
July 15 19 Chattanooga Red Wolves SC v AV Alta FC East Ridge, Tennessee
Stadium: CHI Memorial Stadium
July 18 20 One Knoxville SC v AV Alta FC Knoxville, Tennessee
Stadium: Covenant Health Park
July 25 21 AV Alta FC v Westchester SC Lancaster, California
Stadium: Lancaster Municipal Stadium
August 1 22 Richmond Kickers v AV Alta FC Richmond, Virginia
Stadium: City Stadium
August 5 23 FC Naples v AV Alta FC Naples, Florida
Stadium: Paradise Coast Sports Complex
August 8 24 AV Alta FC v Fort Wayne FC Lancaster, California
Stadium: Lancaster Municipal Stadium
August 15 25 New York Cosmos v AV Alta FC Paterson, New Jersey
7:00 PM EDT Stadium: Hinchliffe Stadium
August 22 26 AV Alta FC v FC Naples Lancaster, California
Stadium: Lancaster Municipal Stadium
August 29 27 Charlotte Independence v AV Alta FC Matthews, North Carolina
Stadium: Sportsplex at Matthews
September 5 28 AV Alta FC v One Knoxville SC Lancaster, California
Stadium: Lancaster Municipal Stadium
September 13 29 Portland Hearts of Pine v AV Alta FC Portland, Maine
Stadium: Fitzpatrick Stadium
September 19 30 Forward Madison FC v AV Alta FC Madison, Wisconsin
Stadium: Breese Stevens Field
October 3 31 Westchester SC v AV Alta FC Mount Vernon, NY
Stadium: The Stadium at Memorial Field
October 10 32 AV Alta FC v Greenville Triumph SC Lancaster, California
Stadium: Lancaster Municipal Stadium
October 17 33 Athletic Club Boise v AV Alta FC Garden City, Idaho
Stadium: Stadium at Expo Idaho
October 24 34 AV Alta FC v Corpus Christi FC Lancaster, California
Stadium: Lancaster Municipal Stadium

Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

March 18 First Round AV Alta FC 0–1 Valley 559 FC Lancaster, California
7:30 PM PDT
Report
Stadium: Lancaster Municipal Stadium
Referee: Rafael Bonilla

USL Cup

April 25 Group Stage New Mexico United v AV Alta FC Albuquerque, New Mexico
Stadium: Isotopes Park
May 27 Group Stage El Paso Locomotive FC v AV Alta FC El Paso, Texas
Stadium: Southwest University Park
June 6 Group Stage AV Alta FC v Orange County SC Lancaster, California
Stadium: Lancaster Municipal Stadium
July 11 Group Stage AV Alta FC v Phoenix Rising FC Lancaster, California
Stadium: Lancaster Municipal Stadium

Appearances and goals

No. Pos Nat Player Total USL League One Lamar Hunt US Open Cup USL Cup USL League One Playoffs
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
2 DF  USA Christian Ortiz 2 0 0+1 0 0+1 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
3 DF  USA Alfredo Ortiz 2 0 1+0 0 1+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
4 DF  COL Miguel Pajaro 2 0 1+0 0 1+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
5 MF  BEN Maboumou Alassane 2 0 1+0 0 1+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
6 MF  PAN Osvaldo Lay 2 0 1+0 0 1+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
7 MF  HAI Jerry Desdunes 1 1 1+0 1 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
9 FW  USA Joaquin Acuna 0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
10 MF  USA Miguel Ibarra 0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
11 FW  FRA Ilias Aoumaich 0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
12 DF  USA Nick Relerford 2 0 1+0 0 1+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
15 DF  NOR Mathias Winum 0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
16 DF  USA Erick Gonzalez 0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
17 MF  PHI Javier Mariona 2 0 1+0 0 1+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
18 MF  USA Adam Aoumaich 1 0 0+0 0 0+1 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
19 FW  JAM Collin Anderson 2 0 1+0 0 1+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
20 FW  GHA Godwin Antwi 2 0 1+0 0 1+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
21 MF  USA Jimmie Villalobos 2 0 0+1 0 0+1 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
22 GK  TRI Denzil Smith 2 0 1+0 0 1+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
23 MF  USA Renden Thomas 2 0 0+1 0 0+1 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
27 GK  USA Djibril Doumbia 0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
31 MF  USA Adrian Villafranco 0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
34 MF  USA Aaron Huerta 0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
41 MF  USA Erik Hernandez 0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
42 DF  USA Juaquin Garcia Jr. 0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
44 DF  BUL Kaloyan Pehlivanov 2 0 1+0 0 1+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
45 DF  USA Steven Ramos 2 0 0+1 0 0+1 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
47 FW  USA Jose Lopez 0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
99 MF  USA Cesar Bahena 2 0 0+1 0 1+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0

Top goalscorers

Rank Position Number Name USL1 Season U.S. Open Cup USL Cup USL League One Playoffs Total
1 MF 7 Jerry Desdunes 1 0 0 0 1
Total 1 0 0 0 1

Assist scorers

Rank Position Number Name USL1 Season U.S. Open Cup USL Cup USL League One Playoffs Total
Total

Clean sheets

Rank Name USL1 Season U.S. Open Cup USL Cup Total

Disciplinary record

No. Pos. Player USL League One Regular Season Lamar Hunt US Open Cup USL Cup USL League One Playoffs Total
         
2 DF Christian Ortiz 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
3 DF Alfredo Ortiz 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4 DF Miguel Pajaro 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
5 MF Maboumou Alassane 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
6 MF Osvaldo Lay 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
7 MF Jerry Desdunes 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
9 FW Joaquin Acuna 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
10 MF Miguel Ibarra 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
11 FW Ilias Aoumaich 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
12 DF Nick Relerford 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
15 DF Mathias Winum 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
16 DF Erick Gonzalez 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
17 MF Javier Mariona 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
18 MF Adam Aoumaich 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
19 FW Collin Anderson 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
20 FW Godwin Antwi 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
21 MF Jimmie Villalobos 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
22 GK Denzil Smith 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
23 MF Renden Thomas 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
27 GK Djibril Doumbia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
31 MF Adrian Villafranco 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
34 MF Aaron Huerta 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
41 MF Erik Hernandez 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
42 DF Juaquin Garcia Jr. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
44 DF Kaloyan Pehlivanov 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
45 DF Steven Ramos 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
47 FW Jose Lopez 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
99 MF Cesar Bahena 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coach Brian Kleiban 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0

Honors and awards

USL League One Team of the Week

Week Player Opponent Position Ref
1 Kaloyan Pehlivanov Richmond Kickers DF [15]
1 Jerry Desdunes Richmond Kickers MF [15]

References

Notes

Citations

  1. ^ X: @AVALTAFC, AV Alta FC. "We're excited to welcome Godwin Antwi 🇬🇭 to the AV! The 19-year-old arrives from the University of San Diego and brings pace, creativity, and attacking flair. Pending league and federation approval".
  2. ^ @avaltafc; (January 29, 2026). "Welcome to the AV, @iliasaoumaich 🇫🇷 Our 2nd signing is 19-year-old winger Ilias Aoumaich, joining us from Pau FC in France's Ligue 2. Ilias brings pace, skill, and finishing ability to add to our growing attack. A player with immediate impact and incredible potential, he joins AV Alta to develop and chase his dreams of reaching the highest levels. Signing pending league and federation approval" – via Instagram.
  3. ^ @avaltafc; (January 31, 2026). "Welcome to the AV, @ca_anderson_9 🇯🇲 We are excited to announce the signing of 26-year-old striker Collin Anderson. A proven professional with an impressive international résumé, Collin arrives to the AV after playing in the first divisions of Jamaica, North Macedonia, Iraq, and Oman, along with caps in the Jamaican senior national team. A former Golden Boot winner in Jamaica's top flight, he brings elite athleticism, experience, and goal scoring ability. Collin joins AV Alta to lead the line and spearhead a rejuvenated attack as we continue to build for the season ahead. Signing pending league and federation approval" – via Instagram.
  4. ^ @avaltafc; (February 3, 2026). "Welcome back to the First Team, Juaquin @unkkownnnnnnnnnnn 💪 Academy captain and standout Juaquin Garcia is called back for his second season with the First Team. The 2007 CM, a product of @tfa_av and @littlerockboyssoccer, was part of the original AV ALTA FC Academy squad and continues to develop on his path toward a pro or college career. Signing pending league and federation approval. #AVALTAFC #LocalTalent" – via Instagram.
  5. ^ @avaltafc; (February 5, 2026). "We're excited to welcome Mathias "Jullum" Winum to the AV! 🇳🇴 @mathias_jullum Jullum was a standout CB at UC Irvine, earning multiple All-Big West honors, a Big West Tournament Championship, and national recognition as one of the NCAA's top defenders. He spent 2025 playing with some of the top semi-pro programs in SoCal including @amsgfc , @socalunited23 and @vcfusion. He now signs his first professional contract with AV Alta, bringing defensive presence and technical quality to the back line.Pending league and federation approval" – via Instagram.
  6. ^ @avaltafc; (February 7, 2026). "Welcome to the AV @renden_thomas 💪 Renden Thomas, a 16-year-old from Newbury Park, California, has been called into the AV Alta FC First Team. Developed at @lafc_socalyouth, Renden earned Southwest ECNL Player of the Year honors. He later joined LAFC Academy, where he was a standout player with their U18s. Currently verbally committed to UCLA, Renden now steps into the professional environment with AV Alta FC to continue his development. Pending League and Federation approval" – via Instagram.
  7. ^ @avaltafc; (February 8, 2026). "We're excited to welcome Nick Relerford to the AV! 🇺🇸 @nickx2__ Nick was a standout right back at Cal State Fullerton, starring for the Fullerton defense across multiple seasons and earning All-Big West Second Team honors. A versatile fullback known for his pace and defensive tenacity, he joins AV ALTA on his first professional contract. Pending league and federation approval" – via Instagram.
  8. ^ X: @AVALTAFC, AV Alta FC. "Welcome to AV, @CEBA_04 📷 AV has signed Cesar Bahena from the University of San Diego. Bahena scored 20+ goals in college and earned multiple All-WCC honors while helping USD win four straight conference titles. Pending league and federation approval".
  9. ^ X: @AVALTAFC, AV Alta FC. "We're excited to welcome Jose Lopez to the first team! 🇺🇸 @fss.josePending league and federation approval".
  10. ^ "Rowdies Add Midfielder Sebastian Cruz for 2026". rowdies soccer. Tampa Bay Rowdies. December 12, 2025. Retrieved December 20, 2025.
  11. ^ "Talented Striker Alexis Cerritos joins Corpus Christi FC". Corpus Christi FC. Retrieved January 27, 2026.
  12. ^ "FC Naples Signs Defender Luca Mastrantonio Ahead of 2026 USL League One Season". FC Naples. December 31, 2025. Retrieved January 5, 2026.
  13. ^ "Monterey Bay FC signs attacking midfielder Eduardo Blancas". USL League One. New Mexico United. December 17, 2025. Retrieved December 20, 2025.
  14. ^ a b O'Donnell, Bernadette (February 23, 2026). "Statement from Tormenta FC on the 2026 Season". TormentaFC.com. South Georgia Tormenta FC. Archived from the original on February 23, 2026. Retrieved February 23, 2026.
  15. ^ a b "USL League One Team of the Week – Week 1". USL League One. 2026-03-10. Retrieved 2026-03-18.
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