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Miller Leads Option Pick-Ups for North Carolina FC

By USLSoccer.com Staff, 11/02/18, 4:03PM EDT

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Tambakis, Guillen, Smith, Taylor also set to return for 2019 season


Midfielder Steven Miller will return for his fourth full season with North Carolina FC in 2019. | Photo courtesy Rob Kinnan / North Carolina FC

CARY, N.C. – Veteran midfielder Steven Miller will return for his fourth full season with North Carolina FC in 2019, one of five players the team announced on Friday it had picked up contract options on in its first moves of the offseason. Goalkeeper Alex Tambakis, defenders Aaron Guillen and DJ Taylor, and midfielder Graham Smith will also return to the club, pending league and federation approval.

Miller has been a key figure for NCFC thanks to his extensive experience and talent since arriving on loan from Tulsa Roughnecks FC late on in the 2015 season. In 2018, the fan-favorite once again starred as a midfielder and defender throughout the season. He led the team with 162 won duels and ranked second with 49 key passes. In total, Miller played in 33 games and logged 2,742 minutes. The Elkin Park, Penn., native also scored four goals and chipped in seven assists.

Smith broke onto the scene after coming through the club’s combine and preseason trial process. The midfielder made an immediate impact and played 2,788 minutes – the most of any field player for NCFC in 2018. Occupying the defensive midfield role, Smith recorded 39 interceptions, 150 won duels and a team-high 56 won tackles. Smith’s 87.9-percent passing accuracy was also highest on the team.

Tambakis will return as the club’s starting goalkeeper. The Greek shot-stopper played in all but one regular-season USL matchup, totaling 33 matches and 2,970 minutes. He made 95 saves and earned seven shutouts. His season was also highlighted by a quartet of USL Fans’ Choice Save of the Month awards in April, June, July and October.

Guillen was one the team’s breakout stars in 2018. The young defender logged the busiest season of his professional career and played 2,181 minutes in 26 league matches. The El Paso, Texas, native was also voted as the team’s Defensive Player of the Year and logged 95 clearances, 46 interceptions, 26 won tackles, 100 won duels and a team-high 16 blocked shots.

Taylor came through the NCFC Youth Academy and is part of the club’s growing youth-to-professional pipeline. Taylor was a reliable member of NCFC’s defense and played 2,742 minutes in 32 league matches last year. He also contributed 97 clearances, 48 interceptions, 48 won tackles, 145 won duels and 10 blocked shots.

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