NEWS RELEASE
SIMCOE COUNTY ROVERS FC
************************
The Simcoe County Rovers FC are pleased to announce important new signings to the men’s team to support the returning core group of players preparing to defend the championship title won in 2023.
Moving into their third season, the Rovers have the added excitement of representing League1 in the Canadian Championships. The Canadian Championships see Canadian teams from Major League Soccer including Toronto FC, Vancouver Whitecaps and CF Montreal, the Canadian Premier League, Canada’s Professional Domestic League and League 1 Canada teams face off against each other for Canadian supremacy.
Simcoe County Rovers FC are pleased to announce the following signings for the 2024 League1 Ontario Season.
- Rimi Olatunji - Goalkeeper
- Jordan Barclay - Defender
- Nathaniel St. Louis - Forward
- Matt Passacquale - Midfielder
- Matthew Fisher - Midfielder
Goalkeeper Rimi Olatunji who played collegiately at Providence College in the NCAA Big East and then spent two seasons plying his trade at FC Forge of the Canadian Premier League is excited to join the team.
“I decided to join the Simcoe County Rovers because I knew it would be a great opportunity to be a part of a club that’s under great leadership," Olatunji said. "I believe it’s also a solid environment for me to continue developing as a young professional. I’m excited to be apart of an organization that has a winning culture in its DNA and hopefully create more historical moments. I’m looking forward to bringing my competitive edge to help encourage my teammates on and off the pitch.”
Coach Zico Mahrady is please by what he has thus far in training from this group and how they will contribute to the club this upcoming season.
“Our new signings support the growth of the club and allow us to continue building for the future. I’m excited to have them join us as they are talented and hungry individuals who understand our style of play and want to develop as footballers. This new group along with our returning core will be fun to watch this season," Mahrady said.
Midfielder Matt Passacquale, who spent the majority of his time developing his football skills in Holland, is looking forward to the upcoming season. He began playing in the youth academy of SC Heerenveen in the Eredivisie (Holland’s first division).
In 2022, he joined FC Emmen in Holland’s second division where he spent two seasons with the U21s. When asked why he wanted to join the Simcoe County Rovers, Passacquale said: “I wanted to join the club because of the quality of the coaching and the players who will help me develop as a player and provide a platform to get to a higher level. I’m excited to help the team win trophies and feel I can provide leadership both on and off the field to help the club."
Canadian international Doneil Henry, who is training with the men’s team and providing guidance to the coaching staff from a technical perspective, is looking forward to working with the new additions.
“The club is extremely excited with the new acquisitions that will only bolster the core of our team. Rimi and Matt both bring professional experience and leadership skills that we hope will bring success, not only during the League1 season but also in the Canadian Championship tournament run," Henry said. "Rimi is a confident, commanding presence in goal that will communicate well with the back line and Matt Passacquale brings versatility and tenaciousness from the middle of the park. In similar fashion, Jordan Barclay and Matthew Fisher will bring their experience from Toronto FC Academy to the Simcoe County Rovers. We are all eagerly looking forward to the team taking shape in the pre-season under the leadership of Coach Zico.”
Defender Jordan Barclay is a former Toronto FC academy player who has committed to the University of Portland beginning in fall 2024 looks forward to the challenge ahead.
“I knew the guys from training with them last year. I loved the energy of the team. Training was always intense and challenging and I wanted to stay in that environment. In 2024, I’m excited to defend the League1 title and to have the opportunity to compete in the Canadian Championship," Barclay said.
“I think I can help the team succeed by giving everything I have day in and day out. I’ll also be as coachable as possible, and receptive to anything the coaching staff has for me.”
New forward Nathaniel St. Louis played with Vancouver FC of the Canadian Premier League last season. A former NCAA player at the University of Alabama Birmingham, he made second team all-conference USA and is looking to make an impression with his new teammates.
Rounding out the new signings is midfielder Matthew Fischer. Fischer joins the Rovers having played last season at Canisius College in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC). Prior to playing at the collegiate level, Fischer played three seasons at Toronto FC Academy.
Training for the 2024 season commenced Feb. 5 and will run for approximately 11 weeks leading up to the season opener of the League1 Ontario campaign the week of April 22. The team is gearing up to play several pre-season games in preparation with matches scheduled against York United FC of the Canadian Premier League on March 15 and Toronto FC 2 in addition to other League1 competitors to name just a few.
The Simcoe County Rovers men’s and women’s will kick off the 2024 season in April and will play their home matches out of J.C Massie Field at Georgian College, Barrie.
For more information on the Simcoe County Rovers FC, including ticket purchase options and sponsorship opportunities, please click here.
************************
