Chris Nanco facts for kids

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Chris Nanco

Nanco with Bethlehem Steel in 2017
Personal information
Full name	Christopher Lenroy Nanco
Date of birth	(1995-02-15) February 15, 1995 (age 29)
Place of birth	North York, Ontario, Canada
Height	1.68 m
Playing position	Forward
Club information
Current club	Des Moines Menace
Number	7
Youth career
	Brampton Youth SC
	Sigma FC
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2014–2016	Sigma FC	9+	(1+)
2017–2018	Bethlehem Steel	60	(9)
2019–2022	Forge FC	55	(8)
2023–	Des Moines Menace	6	(0)
National team‡
2011	Canada U17	7	(2)
2015	Canada U20	2	(0)
Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of July 15, 2023. † Appearances (Goals). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of April 16, 2017

Christopher Lenroy Nanco (born February 15, 1995) is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays for Des Moines Menace of USL League Two.

Early life

He began playing youth soccer with Brampton Youth SC. At age 12, he joined Sigma FC. While with Sigma, he had an opportunity to trial with the Liverpool Academy in England in 2010.

College career

In June 2013, Nanco committed to Syracuse University, where he played for the men's soccer team. He made his debut on August 30 against the Colgate Raiders. He scored his first two goals for Syracuse on September 9, 2013, against the Manhattan Jaspers. As a sophomore, he scored five goals and added two assists, finishing as the team's second leading scorer. During his junior season, he began playing as a central forward, also playing a midfield role at times, transitioning from a primarily winger role in earlier seasons. He finished his junior season with four goals. On September 1, 2016, he had his second career two-goal game, leading Syracuse to a 3–0 victory over Colgate. As a senior, he led the team in scoring with seven goals and at the end of his senior season, he was named an All-ACC First Team All-Star and to the All-South Region third team. Through his time at Syracuse, the team had a perfect 16-0 record in games he scored. He was invited to the MLS Player Combine, ahead of the 2017 MLS SuperDraft.

Club career

From 2014 to 2016, Nanco played in League1 Ontario with Sigma FC, during the college off-seasons. In 2016, he was named to the League1 Ontario All-Star Game roster for the West Division.

Nanco playing with Bethlehem Steel in 2017

In January 2017, Nanco was selected 55th overall in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft by Philadelphia Union. In March 2017, he signed a professional contract with the Union's USL side, Bethlehem Steel. He scored his first professional goal in his professional debut on April 15, 2017, against the Harrisburg City Islanders. After the 2018 season, he departed the club.

In November 2018, Nanco joined Forge FC for the inaugural season of the Canadian Premier League in 2019, being one of the team's first two ever signings. Nanco helped Forge win the CPL championship in their first season. On August 22, 2019, he scored to lead Forge to a 1–0 victory in the first leg of the CONCACAF League Round of 16 over Honduran club Olimpia. In 2020, Nanco missed half of the season with a hamstring injury, as Forge once again won the league title. In February 2021, he re-signed with the club for the 2021 season.

International career

In January 2011, he debuted in the Canadian national program, attending a camp with the Canada U17 team. He won a silver medal with them at the 2011 CONCACAF U-17 Championship, scoring the winning goal in a 2–0 victory over Trinidad and Tobago U17 on February 23, 2011, to qualify Canada for the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup, where he also played.

In August 2014, he was named to the Canada U20 for the Dale Farm Milk Cup and was also named to the team for the 2015 CONCACAF U-20 Championship.

Career statistics

Honours

Forge FC

• Canadian Premier League: 2019, 2020, 2022