The St. Louis Ambush have signed free agent midfielder Antonio Manfut, the team announced today. Per league and team policies, details of the agreement were not released. Manfut was signed during the Major Arena Soccer League’s free agency period that commenced May 1 and ends May 15.
Ambush Head Coach Hewerton is clearly pleased with the acquisition. “We are stoked to have the opportunity to have Antonio Manfut sign with us,” Hewerton said. “We are very confident that he will put more goals on our stats sheet. His experience in the game and his Futsal background will help the team be more dangerous going forward and more efficient defensively.”
Manfut, a native of Cleveland, Ohio, is a veteran of six professional indoor soccer seasons. He played five seasons with the Syracuse Silver Knights from 2012 to 2017 and last season (2017-18) with the Rio Grande Valley Barracudas. He is also a member of the US National Futsal Team with 11 caps. Antonio has also played outdoor soccer for AFC Cleveland (NPSL), the Rochester Lancers (NPSL) and is playing this summer with Cleveland SC (NPSL). During his stint with AFC Cleveland, Antonio scored the game-winning goal to help his team capture the NPSL championship in 2016.
When not busy playing soccer, Manfut provides soccer skill training through his company, AM Skill Training.
During his professional indoor career prior to joining the Ambush, Manfut has averaged a point per game, tallying 69 goals and 36 assists in 105 games played. Last season with Rio Grande Valley, he posted 20 goals and eight assists and he should be a valuable addition to an Ambush team that at times lacked the offensive punch necessary to prevail in close games.
Manfut is looking forward to joining the team. He said, “I’m very excited and looking forward to joining a great organization in the Ambush. I have heard nothing but great things and I also can’t wait to play in front of some great fans and help the team any way I can.”
