Alec Smir Explained

Alec Smir
Birth Date:13 April 1999
Birth Place:Greensboro, North Carolina, United States
Height:187 cm
Currentclub:Minnesota United
Clubnumber:30
Position:Goalkeeper
Youthyears1:2013–2017
Youthclubs1:North Carolina Fusion
Collegeyears1:2017–2021
College1:North Carolina Tar Heels
Collegecaps1:68
Collegegoals1:0
Years1:2017
Clubs1:Carolina Dynamo
Caps1:2
Goals1:0
Years2:2018
Clubs2:Ocean City Nor'easters
Caps2:4
Goals2:0
Years3:2022–
Clubs3:Minnesota United 2
Caps3:17
Goals3:0
Years4:2023
Clubs4:Colorado Springs Switchbacks (loan)
Caps4:0
Goals4:0
Years5:2024–
Clubs5:Minnesota United
Caps5:1
Goals5:0
Club-Update:June 25, 2024

Alec Smir (born April 13, 1999) is an American soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for MLS club Minnesota United.

Career

Youth

Smir attended Greensboro Day School, also playing club soccer for NC Fusion from 2013 to 2017, captaining the team during the 2016 season. He was also selected for training camps with the United States under-18 side.[1] [2] In 2017, he also played with Carolina Dynamo in the USL PDL.[3]

College

In 2017, Smir committed to playing college soccer at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He redshirted his sophomore season in 2018, but went on to make 68 appearances for the Tar Heels. He was named All-ACC Second Team and United Soccer Coaches All-South Region Second Team in 2020, and All-ACC First Team and United Soccer Coaches All-South Region Second Team in 2021.[1]

During the summer of 2018, Smir also appeared in the PDL for Ocean City Nor'easters, making four regular season appearances.[4] [5]

Professional

On January 11, 2022, Smir was selected 62nd overall in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft by FC Dallas.[6] [7] [8] On March 23, 2022, it was announced that Smir had signed with MLS Next Pro side Minnesota United 2 ahead of their inaugural season.[9] Smir went on to make eight regular season appearances for Minnesota in 2022.[10] [11] He was also the winner of Goalie Wars, part of the MLS NEXT Pro All-Star Skills Challenge at the 2022 MLS All-Star Game on August 10, 2022.[12] [13]

On March 13, 2023, Smir was loaned to USL Championship side Colorado Springs Switchbacks for the 2023 season.[14] On May 16, 2023, Smir was recalled from his loan after making only a single appearance for Colorado Springs, which came in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.[15] On June 15, 2024, Smir made a permanent move to Minnesota United's first team roster.[16]

Personal life

He is of Jordanian descent.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Alec Smir - Men's Soccer. University of North Carolina Athletics.
  2. Web site: Goalie Alec Smir of North Carolina, a Greensboro native, a key player on Tar Heels' run to College Cup. JOHN. DELL. Winston-Salem Journal.
  3. Web site: North Carolina Fusion U23 - 2017 Regular Season - Roster - # - Alec Smir -. www.uslleaguetwo.com.
  4. Web site: Ocean City Nor'easters - 2018 Regular Season - Roster - # - Alec Simr -. www.uslleaguetwo.com.
  5. Web site: Alec Smir earns shutout in Nor'easters' rain-delayed win at Evergreen FC (VIDEO). June 10, 2018. Ocean City FC.
  6. Web site: FC Dallas Selects Six Players in 2022 MLS SuperDraft. F. C.. Dallas. FC Dallas.
  7. Web site: FC Dallas Selects UNC Goalkeeper Alec Smir in MLS Superdraft. Michael. Koh. January 12, 2022.
  8. Web site: Alec Smir embarks on pro soccer career in Texas. JOE SIRERA. joe.sirera@greensboro.com. Greensboro News and Record.
  9. Web site: Minnesota United Announce MNUFC2 Roster for Inaugural MLS NEXT Pro Season | Minnesota United FC. MNUFC.
  10. Web site: Alec Smir | MLSsoccer.com. mlsnextpro.
  11. Web site: MNUFC2 Made Waves in Their Inaugural Season | Minnesota United FC. MNUFC.
  12. Web site: MNUFC2's Alec Smir wins Goalie Wars at MLS All-Star Skills Challenge | MLSNEXTPro.com. mlsnextpro.
  13. Web site: Loons development team goalkeeper Alec Smir wins 'Goalie Wars' challenge at All-Star event. Jerry Zgoda Star. Tribune. Star Tribune.
  14. Web site: Switchbacks FC Announce Acquisition of Alec Smir from Minnesota United FC. June 19, 2023.
  15. Web site: MNUFC2 Recalls Goalkeeper Alec Smir from Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC | Minnesota United FC. MNUFC. June 19, 2023.
  16. https://www.mnufc.com/news/mnufc-signs-goalkeeper-alec-smir-to-semi-guaranteed-contract