NPSL GOLDEN BOOT: CANALE LEADS THE WAY FOR OCFC’S POTENT ATTACK

Before July, Alessandro Canale had eight goals for Orange County FC.  The California native has eclipsed this number in his last two games alone, where he’s scored ten goals in two games.

Canale is currently tied for the lead in the NPSL Golden Boot race with 18 goals and holds a four-goal lead on Dakota Fusion FC’s Jade Johnson, who sits in second place. After a relatively slow start, Canale could feel this hot streak coming.

“I had a little bit of goalscoring pent up in me this season.  I’ve been focusing on what I can do to put myself in the right position and had a few teammates who looked for me…and I was able to convert them.”

Orange County FC is chalk full of attacking talent, with Canale’s teammates Staforde Palmer and Connor Gordon netting 12 goals and 10 goals respectively on the season. For Canale, the strong attack and help from his teammates improved his goalscoring prowess.

“We’ve gotten a strong understanding of each other recently.  They’ve just been recognizing my runs and finding me, I think we’re doing what we have to do to be successful.”

Before joining the NPSL, Canale became a regular member of the U.S. Beach Soccer National Team, an experience that has helped the forward with his game on the pitch.

“Playing beach has been an amazing experience, it’s been a great tool to improve my technical skill,” Canale said. “Passing and moving and playing off of each-other in small spaces is helpful as much, but it is a little bit of a transition because there’s much more running in the game on the pitch.”

From here, Canale’s focus is on his team as opposed to scoring goals. And even though the forward has scored in three straight games, he isn’t going to sweat it if he slows down.

“I want to focus the big picture and on our team getting wins, continue moving to the postseason,” Canale said. “If I can help my team by scoring goals that’s great, but I know it’s not every game guaranteed, so I’m just going to focus on things I can control like communication with my teammates and my runs.”

Though Canale places a great deal of credit to his teammates, Orange County FC Head Coach and former USMNT legend Paul Caligiuri does not understate Canale’s individual play.

“Alessandro has proven to be a top performer for OCFC and exemplifies the great talent that exists throughout the NPSL.  His success is a true testament of his hard work and dedication.”

With Canale leading the attack, Orange County FC has been impressive so far, clinching a playoff berth after rising to second place in the Southwest Conference. Goalscoring has been Orange County FC’s calling card, as they lead the NPSL in goals for with a whopping 65 on the year, an incredible 18-goal advantage over the second-place team in the category, FC Arizona.

If Canale’s goal scoring continues on this tepid pace, Orange County FC’s attack will be a tough challenge for any team in the upcoming NPSL Playoffs powered by Mitre.