UTICA – Utica City FC head coach Ryan Hall announced Tuesday that he has named Bo Jelovac as the team’s captain for the inaugural 2018-19 Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) season.

Hall also named Nate Bourdeau as an assistant captain on Tuesday.

“Both Bo and Nate are experienced players who as good as they are on the field are even better off the field,” said Hall. “They represent everything this organization is looking for in a captain.”

Jelovac has served as a team captain for the last four seasons. The 6-3, 195-pound forward signed with the Syracuse Silver Knights in 2012. The veteran also has spent significant time playing outdoor soccer, including stints with Serbian club Fudbalski klub Smederevo 1924 and SK Dynamo České Budějovice in the Czech Republic.

Jelovac recorded 26 points last season in 22 games with Syracuse.

“This is a really big honor and privilege,” said Jelovac. “I’ve been the captain three years and I’m excited to have been given another year as a leader and to help the guys to have a great season.

“I’m the one wearing the captain band but there are a lot of veterans in the locker room that provide great leadership too. Nate is great for the team as a leader too, we have played together a long time and he always works hard.”

The 5-foot-9, 155-pound Bourdeau is a seven-year MASL veteran. The midfielder began his college career at Boston University before playing three years at Rutgers, where he was the team captain and MVP.

Bourdeau, who just turned 28, also represented the U18 US National team in Japan, and was part of the 2015 USL Championship team while playing for the Rochester Rhinos. He had 17 points in 21 games last season.

“Coach Hall told me the news today at practice. It is a great honor and something I am very proud of,” said Bourdeau. “I’ve played with these guys for a long time and I know it’s an important role. I will be doing everything I can to help this team out. We have the most talented team we have ever had and I think we can go deep into the post-season. I won’t take this new role lightly.”

The team opens its inaugural season on the road Saturday against the Harrisburg Heat. Game time is 7:05 pm at the Farm Show Arena. The home opener is set for 2 p.m. Sunday at the Adirondack Bank Center at the Utica Memorial Auditorium. Utica City FC hosts the reigning MASL champion Baltimore Blast.