CARY, N.C. (Nov. 6, 2019) – North Carolina FC midfielders Steven Miller and Ben Speas are set to return for the 2020 season after signing new contracts with the club, as announced on Wednesday. Both transactions are pending league and federation approval, and no further details were disclosed, per club policy. More information on the status of NCFC's remaining players from the 2019 season will be available in the coming weeks.



Both fixtures in NCFC head coach Dave Sarachan’s lineup, Miller and Speas combined to record 11 goals and 11 assists in 2019, as NCFC went 16W-10L-8D and reached the postseason for the second time in three years.



The 2020 season will be Miller’s sixth with the club, having made his debut in 2015 while on loan from the Tulsa Roughnecks. Known for his versatility, the 30-year-old Miller has played all over the pitch for NCFC but had a career year in 2019 as a midfielder, leading the team in both goals (9) and assists (6) in 31 matches while also wearing the captain's armband 22 times. The goal tally was a career-high for Miller, who was named to the USL Championship Team of the Week three times, including once as the league’s Player of the Week.



One of the most experienced players in club history, Miller ranks in the top 10 on NCFC’s all-time leaderboard in games played (116, 7th), minutes (9,444, 7th), goals (19, 8th) and assists (19, 3rd).



"Statistically, Steven had his best year and provided some important goals for us this year, along with being a guy that is really embedded with the club and the community," Sarachan said. "He's sort of on a pathway similar to Austin da Luz and some others over the years. He really wears the crest proudly and you can never dispute his work rate over the course of 90 minutes."



While on loan from Indy Eleven, Speas, 28, impressed in his first season with NCFC, recording two goals and five assists as he twice earned USL Championship Team of the Week honors. The UNC product started 27 matches, played 2,310 minutes and led NCFC with 66 chances created, the seventh-most in the Eastern Conference.



"When we acquired Ben in the offseason, I had an idea about what I was getting and it came to fruition: a guy who is a great pro, showed up every day, utilized his experience with our younger guys and showed a lot of versatility positionally, whether we played him as a central midfielder, second forward or a wide guy," Sarachan said. "Having his soccer IQ and technical ability really helped solidify our attacking core of guys this season. Knowing we're going to have a guy like Ben next year gives us a really good starting point."



Season tickets for North Carolina FC’s 2020 season are on sale now. Click here to learn more about season tickets or call the Coastal Credit Union Box Office at 919-459-8144 to speak with a ticket representative.