Polak, Wu, Rankenburg, Smith, Shultz, MacKinnon & Castro re-sign with Triumph
Greenville, SC (December 4, 2023)- The Greenville Triumph SC has announced year-end roster moves as the club begins preparations for the 2024 season. Under new Head Coach and Technical Director, Rick Wright, the Triumph will return Tyler Polak, Daniel Wu, Gunther Rankenburg, Jamie Smith, Nate Shultz, Lyam MacKinnon and Leonardo Castro. The club is continuing discussions with other players from the 2023 squad and plans additional signings in the coming weeks.
A co-captain and veteran in the backline, Tyler Polak will return for his sixth season with the GTSC defense. In 2023, he recorded 2,161 minutes on the pitch, started 25 out of 26 matches and logged 90 minutes in twenty matches. The former All-League defender registered stats on both sides of the ball with two assists and 59 clearances.
Daniel Wu will continue his professional career at the club following his rookie season. Another defender on the ‘24 roster, Wu recorded 726 minutes last season. The Georgetown alumnus netted his first and only professional goal against NCFC last season.
Gunther Rankenburg made his first USL appearance in Greenville’s 5-1 win over the Chattanooga Red Wolves. Rankenburg later received minutes against Northern Colorado Hailstorm and a full 90’ against Chattanooga again in Jared Mazzola’s stead. Rankenburg will remain as Greenville’s only returning goalkeeper following Mazzola’s move to Sacramento Republic FC of the USL Championship.
Jamie Smith will return to the Upstate coming off a stellar 2023 season where he was voted Most Improved Player by the technical staff. Despite a setback due to injury earlier this year, Smith earned a spot in the starting eleven in the club’s final 15 matches. He recorded 1,097 minutes and three goals, including two game-winning goals. Smith boasted an 80% success rate on tackles and 56 clearances.
Back for his second full season with GTSC, Nate Shultz marks another piece for the Triumph defense. Shultz saw the field 28 times last season for a total of 1,835 minutes. He netted Greenville’s second goal in the semifinal match versus Charlotte Independence and registered 56 clearances.
Team-voted Rookie of the Year, Lyam MacKinnon, returns with 1,440 minutes, seven goals and four assists under his belt. As the Triumph’s second-leading goal scorer in 2023 and the only player to record a four-goal game in League One history, MacKinnon will eye double-digit goals in his second season.
Former Kaizer Chiefs striker, Leonardo Castro will rejoin the Triumph for his second season in USL League One. In 2023, Castro was voted Attacking Player of the Year by the GTSC coaching staff and All-League Second Team forward. He notched 13 goals in thirty matches, becoming the Triumph’s 2023 leading goal scorer and second most goals in a season. In addition to his goals, Castro recorded three assists during his 2,331 minutes on the pitch.
Roster Update:
Options exercised: Lyam MacKinnon, Gunther Rankenburg, Tyler Polak
New contracts: Jamie Smith, Leonardo Castro, Daniel Wu, Nate Shultz,
Options Declined: Noah Franke, Evan Lee, Venton Evans, Devin Boyce, Tevin Shaw, Fernando Garcia, Allen Gavilanes, Noah Pilato, Hassan Gabo, Jacob Labovitz
Contract Expired: Jared Mazzola, Lucas Coutinho, Brandon Fricke, Aaron Walker
Contract Terminated: Alex Cox-Ashwood
Players in Negotiations: Brandon Fricke, Evan Lee, Hassan Gabo, and Aaron Walker
