Barca Residency Academy Stars Ink USL Deals

by Tom Hindle

July 15, 2022

Barca Residency Academy is continuing to churn out professionals.

Following the success of Diego Luna (who signed with El Paso before his recent transfer to Real Salt Lake), two more Barca products have signed for USL sides. FC Tulsa brought on Luca Sowinski, while El Paso secured Miles Lyons, the clubs announced Thursday.

Both players had previously committed to play college soccer but will forgo their NCAA eligibility after securing pro deals. Neither organization has released contract details.

Sowinski, 18, is the youngest signing in FC Tulsa history. He starred in the 2021-22 campaign, scoring 15 goals and adding five assists for the Barca U 19 side that won the southwest division.

Barca Residency Academy ➡️ 𝐓𝐮𝐥𝐬𝐚'𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐨 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐦.

Midfielder @LucaSowinski has become the youngest player to sign a professional contract with FC Tulsa in franchise history! 🔥

🔗: https://t.co/smAuXMhySH #ForTulsa | #BoomtownIsBack pic.twitter.com/ggApaY3ctX
— FC Tulsa (@FCTulsa) July 14, 2022

“We’re thrilled that Luca has chosen to start his professional journey with FC Tulsa and we are confident that our environment will allow him to reach his highest potential,” said FC Tulsa president Sam Doerr in a release.

Lyons played right back for the same Barca team. An attacking full back, Lyons comes to El Paso as a dangerous option out wide. In signing, he is following the same path as US U20 international Diego Luna, who also penned a deal with El Paso after playing youth soccer for Barca.

𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗲𝗱. ✍️

Welcome to El Paso Locomotive, @mileslyons3!#VamosLocos #VamosElPaso
— El Paso Locomotive FC (@eplocomotivefc) July 14, 2022

“Miles has the potential to be a very good prospect for us moving forward and we look forward to seeing his development,” commented John Hutchinson, Locomotive Head Coach and Technical Director, in a release.

Though neither player has taken the pitch yet, it appears that Barca is poised to send many a prospect to the next level over the coming years.