INDIANAPOLIS – Indy Eleven announced on Friday it had re-signed forward Roberto Molina ahead of the 2024 USL Championship season. Per club policy, terms of the deal will not be disclosed, and the transaction is pending league and federation approval.

After initially signing with the Boys in Blue on May 18, Molina saw action in 17 games, making three starts, in 2023. The Salvadoran recorded three goals and one assists while recording eight shots, helping the side reach the USL Championship Playoffs.

The 22-year-old had previously spent the 2021 and 2022 seasons with USL Championship side Las Vegas Lights FC. In 44 appearances, including 30 during his rookie campaign, he tallied three goals and five assists.

Molina was selected as the 45th overall pick in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft by the Colorado Rapids and has registered five caps with El Salvador’s National Team in international friendlies and Concacaf Nations League action. He recorded his first assist at the senior national team level in June 2022 against Grenada in Concacaf Nations League play.

Analysis

Roberto Molina has shown promise in his first three seasons in the USL Championship, and this is the season where the native of Sonsonate, El Salvador should be aiming to make the jump to being a consistent producer as the Boys in Blue look to kick on under new Head Coach Sean McAuley.

Molina’s three goals and one assist came in just 405 minutes a season ago, and his overall production in the league – six goals, six assists in 3,441 minutes – has been in line with his expected production numbers. Finding a way to earn more starts, and then delivering the quality he can on the flanks, would be a big plus for Indy this campaign, and could get Molina back into the picture for El Salvador’s Men’s National Team, which could be about to undergo its own renovation after relegation from Concacaf Nations League A last year.