SAN DIEGO – Midway through San Diego Loyal SC’s abbreviated inaugural season, at which point it had scored only six goals in eight games, it became clear that to become a contender the club was going to need to find a pure goalscorer to lead its charge.

Through first the loan acquisition of former San Diego Toreros standout Miguel Berry from Columbus Crew SC and then the signing of former U.S. Men’s National Team forward Rubio Rubin, a short-term solution arrived. Rubio in particular shone, scoring five goals in four games down the final stretch of the season.

On Thursday, though, SD Loyal’s marksman for the present and potentially future was announced, with Corey Hertzog becoming the first new arrival for the 2021 campaign.

“I’m extremely excited and thankful for this opportunity to join a fantastic club like San Diego Loyal,” said Hertzog in a press release. “I can’t wait to represent this club with everything I have on and off the field. I’m especially excited to score goals in front of the fan base – maybe a ‘Loyal Leap’ after each one. That would be fun.”

As The Locals have already pointed out, a ‘Loyal Leap’ might take springs that even Hertzog doesn’t possess – they helpfully pointed out the steps up to the supporters section on Twitter – but the regularity with which goals might arrive from the Championship veteran shouldn’t be in doubt. The third-leading scorer in the league’s history with 67 tallies in 179 regular-season appearances, Hertzog has registered double-digit goals in three of the past four full seasons, and likely would have again for Reno in 2020 after reaching five goals in 16 games in the curtailed campaign.

What’s become noticeable in Hertzog’s game, however, is his ability to create as his game has matured. Long-gone is the player who first earned Championship All-League honors with Wilmington Hammerheads FC in 2012 with nine goals. In 76 games over the past three years, Hertzog has also notched 12 assists and 80 chances created in addition to his finishing.

Now 30 years old, the Reading, Pa. native – who played for his hometown club Reading United AC in USL League Two a decade ago – is showing you can teach an older striker new tricks.

“Since the day I started this job, I've had my eye on Corey and wanted to see him in Torrey Green,” said SD Loyal’s Landon Donovan in the club’s release. “We are thrilled to have a player of his quality and experience join our team. His work ethic, goalscoring ability and leadership will be a huge asset to us in 2021 and beyond.”

What pieces might join Hertzog in San Diego’s attack next year are yet to be revealed. The door is not closed on a return for Rubin – according to a recent story by Sports Illustrated’s Brian Straus, while he’s talking to MLS clubs, re-signing in San Diego is also a possibility – and there are other names that could be out there on the free agent market.

In Hertzog, however, San Diego has another cornerstone for a squad that has already announced the return of numerous keys to the club’s first-year success and the player that could provide the finishing that will make it an even bigger challenger in Year 2.