Photo by: Sideline Photos, LLC
Malik Pinto Signs With FC Cincinnati
January 10, 2023 | Men's Soccer
Junior midfielder Malik Pinto has signed his first professional contract, agreeing to terms on a multi-year deal with FC Cincinnati in Major League Soccer as announced by the club this week.
"Malik has been a skillful and creative player for us in his two seasons, making an immediate impact in our 2021 championship run and serving as a key cog in our midfield each of the last two years. He made some huge plays for us" said head coach Jim Barlow. "While he will be missed in our group both on and off the field, we knew his dream has been to be a professional soccer player, and we are excited to see him begin that phase with FC Cincinnati. We wish him all the best and look forward to seeing him on a MLS field this season."
A two-season starter at midfield for the Tigers, Pinto was named All-Ivy in both the 2021 and 2022 seasons. In 2021, he had two goals and two assists as the Tigers went undefeated in the Ivy League to secure an outright Ivy title and trip to the NCAA Tournament. In 2022, he dished out four assists. Over his 34 career matches, he averaged 73 minutes per game in the midfield.
"Playing professional soccer has long been a dream of mine, I am thankful to FC Cincinnati for the opportunity to join their club and chase that dream," Pinto said. "I am honored to have been part of the Princeton Soccer program. Jim Barlow, Steve Totten, Sam Maira and Tom Moffat are amazing coaches who have helped me develop as a player to be in this position. I have enjoyed every minute with my teammates, and appreciate their support during this process. I am also thankful to the administrators in Princeton Athletics who have provided guidance over the past few weeks to help map out the plan to complete the remaining three semester of my education and obtain my Princeton degree."
Pinto, 20, joined FC Cincinnati's Academy in 2020, after enrolling at Princeton University. The Durham, N.C. native spent 2020-21 at FC Cincinnati, where he played for the U19s and trained with the first team while the NCAA season was cancelled. He returned to FC Cincinnati in the summers of 2021 and 2022 to train with the club.
"Malik is a promising young player that we feel can develop quickly in our environment," said Chris Albright, FC Cincinnati General Manager. "From his time within our Academy to his time at Princeton, he's shown great work ethic, ability to cover ground, and game understanding. I'd like to welcome him back to Cincinnati as he begins his professional career."
Pinto is the second member of Princeton's 2021 Ivy League championship team to sign a MLS contract, joining NYCFC midfielder Kevin O'Toole '22. After captaining the Tigers to the Ivy title in 2021, O'Toole was drafted by NYCFC in the second round of the 2022 MLS Superdraft (34th overall) and went on to play in six matches with NYCFC where he logged the full 90 minutes in each appearance -- including all three of NYCFC's playoff matches in 2022.
Pinto has reported to FC Cincinnati for preseason training ahead of the team's first preseason match on January 27 against Austin FC in Florida.
"Malik has been a skillful and creative player for us in his two seasons, making an immediate impact in our 2021 championship run and serving as a key cog in our midfield each of the last two years. He made some huge plays for us" said head coach Jim Barlow. "While he will be missed in our group both on and off the field, we knew his dream has been to be a professional soccer player, and we are excited to see him begin that phase with FC Cincinnati. We wish him all the best and look forward to seeing him on a MLS field this season."
A two-season starter at midfield for the Tigers, Pinto was named All-Ivy in both the 2021 and 2022 seasons. In 2021, he had two goals and two assists as the Tigers went undefeated in the Ivy League to secure an outright Ivy title and trip to the NCAA Tournament. In 2022, he dished out four assists. Over his 34 career matches, he averaged 73 minutes per game in the midfield.
"Playing professional soccer has long been a dream of mine, I am thankful to FC Cincinnati for the opportunity to join their club and chase that dream," Pinto said. "I am honored to have been part of the Princeton Soccer program. Jim Barlow, Steve Totten, Sam Maira and Tom Moffat are amazing coaches who have helped me develop as a player to be in this position. I have enjoyed every minute with my teammates, and appreciate their support during this process. I am also thankful to the administrators in Princeton Athletics who have provided guidance over the past few weeks to help map out the plan to complete the remaining three semester of my education and obtain my Princeton degree."
Pinto, 20, joined FC Cincinnati's Academy in 2020, after enrolling at Princeton University. The Durham, N.C. native spent 2020-21 at FC Cincinnati, where he played for the U19s and trained with the first team while the NCAA season was cancelled. He returned to FC Cincinnati in the summers of 2021 and 2022 to train with the club.
"Malik is a promising young player that we feel can develop quickly in our environment," said Chris Albright, FC Cincinnati General Manager. "From his time within our Academy to his time at Princeton, he's shown great work ethic, ability to cover ground, and game understanding. I'd like to welcome him back to Cincinnati as he begins his professional career."
Pinto is the second member of Princeton's 2021 Ivy League championship team to sign a MLS contract, joining NYCFC midfielder Kevin O'Toole '22. After captaining the Tigers to the Ivy title in 2021, O'Toole was drafted by NYCFC in the second round of the 2022 MLS Superdraft (34th overall) and went on to play in six matches with NYCFC where he logged the full 90 minutes in each appearance -- including all three of NYCFC's playoff matches in 2022.
Pinto has reported to FC Cincinnati for preseason training ahead of the team's first preseason match on January 27 against Austin FC in Florida.
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