AC St. Louis Announces the Signing of Nine Players

Official Press Release

AC ST. LOUIS SIGNS NINE PLAYERS

ST. LOUIS, MO (February 11, 2025) - AC St. Louis, playing in the USSF Division 2, and a member of the new North American Soccer League (NASL) announced the signing of nine new players on Thursday. The following players have agreed to terms with the club; defender Dillon Barna, midfielder Troy Cole, midfielder Manuel Kante, defender John Lesko, midfielder Wilfred Louizeau, forward/midfielder James McCarthy, defender Anthony O’Garro, midfielder Christopher Salvaggione, and midfielder Brad Stisser.

AC St. Louis now has 12 players under contract for the upcoming season with more signing announcements expected soon. Below are brief biographies on each player.

Dillon Barna most recently played for the PDL club the Ventura County Fusion. Barna was a four-year starter at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California. The 6’4” central defender played in all but two games of his collegiate career. Barna was a member of the Fusion team that won last year’s PDL national championship.

Troy Cole most recently played for the FC Atlanta Blackhawks. Cole played collegiately at Mars Hill College in North Carolina where he also served as an assistant coach in 2009. Cole played two seasons for Mars Hill College, starting 37 of 38 games while recording seven goals and two assists.

Manuel Kante is a midfielder with years of professional international experience. Kante has played professionally in Croatia, Greece, Portugal, and Scotland.

John Lesko is a 6’3” central defender from the University of South Carolina - Aiken. Lesko was an all-conference selection in his senior year. He scored three goals and added two assists from his defensive position.

Wilfred Louizeau is 24-year old French midfielder with professional playing experience in the Czech Republic, Romania, Portugal, and Belgium. Louizeau most recently played for the FC Atlanta Blackhawks. He is also a product of the youth academies at French clubs Le Havre and Auxerre. Louizeau has played for France’s Ligue 2 side Creteil and for Paris FC, which was then in the Championnat National.

James McCarthy is an 18-year old midfielder and winger who is a member of the IMG Premier Development Academy in Bradenton, Florida. McCarthy was a recipient of the Best Player Award at the U-15 level of Manchester United’s Soccer School, and has had a pro trial with English league side Scunthorpe United FC.

Anthony O’Garro is a 24-year old left back from Trinidad & Tobago. He played collegiately for Shorter College in Rome, Georgia. O’Garro proved to be an offensive minded defender in college, scoring 12 goals with nine assists.

Christopher Salvaggione is an attacking midfielder that played for the PDL Austin Aztex and DFW Tornados last year. Salvaggione played collegiately at UNC-Charlotte before being drafted by the New England Revolution in the third round of the 2009 MLS SuperDraft. Salvaggione played professionally last year for Real Colorado in the PDL. He made 13 appearances with the Foxes and scored seven goals.

Brad Stisser is a native of Highlands Ranch, Colorado who played collegiately at Loyola Marymount University. Stisser played last season for the PDL Real Colorado Foxes. The 23-year old midfielder played two seasons for Loyola Marymount and one season for Coastal Carolina.


QUOTES:


Dillon Barna: "Playing for AC St. Louis in the inaugural season is a dream come true. My parents have always believed in me, and supported me, and for that I'm thankful. I've heard nothing but great things about the passion for soccer in St. Louis, and the elite coaching staff. Getting on the pitch, to help give St. Louis a team they can be proud of, cannot come soon enough for me. Much work has been done by AC St. Louis to get this opportunity in front of me, and I plan to continue the hard work through the 2010 season and beyond."

John Lesko: "I am very excited to be joining the new NASL league and grateful for AC St. Louis giving me this amazing opportunity to join an exciting new organization. This is dream come true for me, and I will give everything for my new club to be successful on and off the field. I want to thank my family, friends and coaches for all the support. I can't wait to get started playing and winning games for the fans."

Anthony O’Garro: "Words cannot describe how happy I am to be part of AC St. Louis. I would like to thank everyone at the club for giving me a chance to play at the professional level and I promise that I will not let you down. I would also like to say to all the fans…GO AC ST. LOUIS."

Brad Stisser: “Signing with AC St. Louis is a dream come true. I’m very excited to be playing in a city with such rich football history. AC St. Louis has a top notch coaching staff and I can’t wait to begin working with them and the organization overall.”