Gian Maldonado Makes His Semi-Pro Debut

Maldonado in his debut for Atlantic City FC, who lost their NISA Nation season opener 2-1 to Bearfight @ Albion SC Delaware./ Photo by Alberto Huichapa

KENSINGTON, Pa. — Kensington Soccer Club is proud to congratulate KSC player and coach Gian Maldonado for making his semi-professional debut for Atlantic City FC in their NISA Nation season opener this past weekend.

Maldonado becomes the second player to go semi-pro after developing through the youth ranks at KSC (the first being Brianna Banks, who plays for Philadelphia Lone Star FC Women).

“I felt good physically and mentally,” he said about his debut. “I was happy to be playing alongside great players and it was an overall good experience.”

Maldonado was brought onto the team after impressing the club during open tryouts and preseason trials. Atlantic City was looking to strengthen its squad in preparation for its debut in NISA Nation, a new “full-year amateur league for independent clubs with aspirations of becoming a pro NISA club.” NISA (the National Independent Soccer Association) sits in the third division of U.S. professional soccer.

Maldonado and the Aces traveled to Middletown, DE on Sept. 18 to kick off their season against Bearfight @ Albion SC Delaware. After a scoreless first half, Maldonado came off the bench in the second half to help ACFC in its search for an opening goal. Playing in the midfield, Maldonado held his ground against offensive charges and helped filter balls forward towards the Aces attacking players. Though ACFC managed to get a goal in the 83rd minute with a man up, Bearfight responded quickly with the equalizer in the 85th and ending the match with the winning goal in the 93rd.

“I’m a bit disappointed being that we are one of the better teams in the league,” he said about the loss. “We were hoping to go back home with three points, being a man up and having the goal lead. Hopefully next game we’ll be better prepared and get a good result.”

Reflecting back on his debut, Maldonado mentioned how KSC — where he’s played since he was 10 — helped him reach this point in his soccer career.

“KSC helped me from a young age,” he said. “The club helped me learn the fundamentals of the game and helped me test myself in different environments. Most importantly, the importance of community and how to help each other.”

Atlantic City will travel to Bayonne, NJ on Saturday, Sep. 25 to face the New Jersey Teamsterz at Don Ahern Veteran Stadium. The game is scheduled to start at 5 p.m. and can be watched here.