As Blake Smith traveled from one city to the next early in his career, fulfilling a dream of playing professional soccer, he always envisioned this moment.

Life was less complicated back then, and his outlook on things was singular. Nonetheless, Smith’s desire was to one day return home and play in front of family and friends.

The Boerne native’s wish has come true.

Smith, a Boerne Champion High School graduate, has signed to play with San Antonio FC, the local United Soccer League Championsip franchise. A defender, he was the No. 8 overall pick in the 2013 Major League Soccer SuperDraft and the 2009 Express-News player of the year.

The 28-year-old Smith joins SAFC from Pacific FC of the Canadian Premier League. He previously played with FC Cincinnati in both MLS and USL, Montreal Impact of MLS, Indy Eleven and Miami FC of North American Soccer League (NASL), and Yverdon-Sport FC in Switzerland.

“Throughout my entire professional career, my goal was always to, at some point, get back to San Antonio and play professionally in the city that I grew up,” said Smith, who played with local club Classics Elite. “This year, it worked out perfectly.”

Smith joins midfielder Cristian Parano and defender Ebenezer Ackon as players signed by SAFC in the two weeks since the club promoted assistant Alen Marcina to head coach on Dec. 9. Marcina replaced Darren Powell, who parted ways with the club after four seasons in October.

“They’ve always had a strong squad, and last year they did have a good year but kind of fell short in the end,” said Smith, who spent most of his career as a midfielder before moving to defense. “I’m here to hopefully help them get past that and make it to the playoffs, and hopefully push to win a USL championship.”

Marcina thinks highly of Smith, who as a freshman in 2006 played on Boerne High’s Class 4A (now 5A) state championship team. He moved to Boerne Champion for his senior year when Boerne High closed for renovations and racked up 31 goals and 21 assists as Champion advanced to the regional final in its inaugural season, falling 2-1 to eventual state champion Hidalgo.

After high school, Smith was an all-region player at the University of New Mexico, where as a senior in 2012 he was second in the nation in assists (13). He won a NASL spring season crown with Miami FC in 2017 and a USL regular-season title with FC Cincinnati in 2018.

“It’s an exciting process, something we’re thoroughly and methodically did to acquire and entertain the right people,” Marcina said. “So far, we’re excited with what we’re able to bring here to San Antonio. Blake is a high-character person. He’s excited to be home and playing in front of his family and friends.”

Smith said he “jumped at the opportunity” to play with SAFC because it provided him the chance to be back at home and compete with a team that annually is a playoff contender. The urge to return to the Alamo City grew stronger each time he and his wife Rossmary visited. The couple met when Smith played for Miami FC.

“As soon I found my wife, we kind of decided we wanted to plant some roots somewhere,” Smith said. “Obviously, San Antonio was the No. 1 choice on our list to buy a home, settle down, and start a family.”

tthomas@express-news.net

Twitter: @en_terrence