STATESBORO, Ga. – South Georgia Tormenta FC 2 has announced the addition of forward Alejo Binaghi, midfielder Conor Dowler and defender Salvatore Mazzaferro to its 2022 USL League Two roster, pending league and federation approval.
Binaghi, the 2021 NAIA Player of the Year, joins Tormenta FC 2 after spending a part of the 2022 preseason with the club’s League One team.
“I’m really excited to be part of this club for the summer and to fight for the championship,” Binaghi commented. “I expect great things coming for us, and I hope we can make feel our fans proud of us.”
During the 2021 season, Binaghi started 21 of 22 matches for the University of Mobile, scoring 24 goals and adding six assists. Nationally, he was ranked second in total goals scored. Binaghi was named the Southern States Athletic Conference Men’s Soccer Player of the Year, the SSAC Men’s Soccer Offensive Player of the Year, and the SSAC Men’s Soccer Golden Boot winner for most goals scored during the season.
Binaghi led the Rams to its fifth appearance in the NAIA Championship, where they fell to Keiser University 2-0.
Mazzaferro, a Toronto FC Academy product, currently attends the University of South Florida and has played a significant part in the Bulls’ defensive unit since 2019.
“I’m extremely honored and excited to be joining such a prestigious club with an amazing history,” Mazzaferro said. “I will give this club everything I’ve got, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for this bright and talented team this season.”
In 2021, Mazzaferro started all 15 of South Florida’s fixtures, leading the team in most minutes played with 1380. Mazzaferro was also voted into the AAC All-Conference Second Team.
Since 2019, Mazzaferro has helped form one of the stingiest defenses in the nation. With 40 games played since joining the program, Mazzaferro has consolidated himself into a core element of the defense. The Toronto native is widely known for bringing an aggressive defensive style of play and winning tough challenges on the ground and in the air.
Dowler joins the South Georgia pipeline from Furman University and is ready to represent the Tormenta FC organization.
“I am beyond excited to join a top club like Tormenta and play in front of the amazing supporters that I have heard so much about,” Dowler commented. “I can’t wait to get going and help the team bring some silverware back to Statesboro.”
Dowler had a breakthrough season in 2021, doubling his playtime and playing a crucial part in the Furman program’s success. Dowler played a total of 17 games, starting in six and helping produce a goal and an assist for the Paladines.
A product of the Greenville Triumph SC youth academy, Dowler previously signed an Academy contract with the USL League One side. Dowler also played for Carolina Elite Soccer Academy’s ECNL team throughout his high school career.
South Georgia’s pre-professional soccer team, Tormenta FC 2, has helped nearly 50 players achieve their professional dreams since 2015. TFC 2 finished its season as champion of the Deep South Division in 2018 before making a run to the League Two Semifinals for the first time in club history in 2019. In 2021, Tormenta FC 2 finished the season with a 12-4-1 overall record (10-3-1 in the regular season), qualifying for the League Two Playoffs for a third straight season.
