VANCOUVER, WA— (club release) Vancouver Victory FC are making waves with their first-ever signed player as the Evergreen Premier League club announces striker Borce Atanasov will play for the side in 2014. Atanasov played two high-profile years at Clark College before joining the Oregon State Beavers. Borce was voted NWAACC Player of the Year in 2012 and scored 42 goals for Clark over two seasons.

“We are very excited to have Borce come and play for the Victory,” says Vancouver owner Barrett Goddard. “Being the first player signed to any new franchise is historic. It means something to be the first player chosen. He is going to score a lot of goals for us. Maybe he will even score the first Victory goal!”

Atanasov reunites with his Clark College coach, Biniam Afenegus, who is in charge for the first-year Victory. “Borce played for me at Clark,” says head coach Afenegus. “When I began to think about the caliber of players needed to compete in the EPLWA, Borce was one of the first players that came to mind. I’m glad he will be on the field for us. He’s a very talented player!”

Borce will return to familiar surroundings hoping to replicate the success he experienced as a Penguin. “I’m really excited to join the Vancouver Victory family and continue my success at a competitive level,” says the 6 foot 170 pound senior. “(I am) really looking forward to playing for my former Clark coach Biniam Afenegus. I’m ready to put in the hard work and effort to have a successful season this year.”

Atanasov made the jump to the Pac-12 by scoring a goal and leading his team with four assists in nine starts. His season was acknowledged by College Sports Madness who put him on the all-conference second team.

Borce’s journey to division one soccer was not your typical one. He arrived in the USA at age nine from Macedonia, not speaking English. “I love soccer, I’ve been playing all my life,” Atanasov said in a Daily Barometer feature. “But we didn’t have too much money. Our financial situation wasn’t the best. So I couldn’t play.”

Aloha High School (Oregon) provided Borce with a good soccer experience, but he remained off the radar of recruiters. A local adult club connected Atanasov with Afenegus, who encouraged him to attend tryouts for the Clark College Penguins. His play in the NWAACC led to the soccer scholarship at Oregon State.

About V2FC

Vancouver Victory FC was awarded entry into the Evergreen Premier League (EPLWA) on September 4, 2013. V2FC honors Vancouver Washington maritime history with the name “Victory,” taken for the Victory Ships built at Vancouver’s Kaiser Shipyards for the American effort in World War II. V2FC introduced a club crest featuring elements connected to both the Victory Ships and the city of Vancouver. Club colors are Columbia Blue, White and Carbon (Black.) The official club website is www.V2FC.com.

About the EPLWA

The Evergreen Premier League is an elite adult men’s soccer league for college and post-college age players to feature their skills on hometown clubs throughout the state of Washington. The league’s mission is to cultivate “football club” culture while providing opportunities for coaches, owners, supporters, players and towns to enjoy the sport and all of the community-building it can bring. The EPLWA is affiliated with the Washington State Adult Soccer Association, US Adult Soccer, US Soccer, the Washington State Referee Committee and FIFA. Players maintain amateur status. The official league website is www.EPLWA.com.



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