Matt Silva, former goalkeeper for Valour FC, has signed with Loyola FC in the Philippines, marking his fourth club in the country. After a brief period at United City, where he had past success, Silva aims to re-establish himself as a starting player amid significant changes in the Philippines Football League.
Matt Silva, the former goalkeeper for Valour FC, has extended his tenure in the Philippines by signing with Loyola FC, also known as LFC Palawan. This transition marks a notable point in Silva’s career, as it represents his fourth club in the Filipino football circuit. Silva’s recent move follows a brief yet significant stint at United City, where he made three appearances before the club faced financial challenges that ultimately led to its dissolution. During his previous tenure at United City, Silva achieved considerable success, contributing to the team’s triumph in the Copa Paulino Alcantara and participating in the prestigious AFC Champions League. Originating from Mississauga, Canada, Silva has built an extensive career across various leagues, including two Canadian Premier League teams. He had limited game time while at Valour FC, primarily serving as a backup behind MLS loanees James Pantemis and Jonathan Sirois. This limited engagement prompted his initial move to United City. Following a fruitful period there, he played for Gibraltarian club Bruno’s Magpies alongside former Valour teammate, Jose Galan, where he garnered a Rock Cup title and played in UEFA Conference qualifiers. His journey also included a spell in the Portuguese lower divisions with SC Espinho before returning to United City and ultimately joining Loyola FC. The landscape of the Philippines Football League has undergone a substantial transformation, now adopting an inter-year format and witnessing a reduction in participating teams to ten, attributed to the dropouts of several clubs, including United City. Having previously secured titles such as the Copa Paulino Alcantara with United City in 2022 and the UFL Cup with Kaya in 2015, Silva possesses the experience necessary for competing at high levels within Filipino football. His objective at Loyola FC will be to solidify his position as a starting goalkeeper and increase his appearances to the levels experienced in his earlier career in Sweden, with clubs like Bodens BK and Osterlen FF. Notably, Silva is not the only former athlete from Valour FC in pursuit of victory in the Philippines Football League; Alessandro Riggi has recently signed with the Davao Aguilas. However, their respective tenures in Winnipeg did not overlap, nor do their current club commitments; specifically, Loyola FC had recently defaulted a match against Davao Aguilas due to late operational funding, highlighting the current volatility within Filipino football. Back in Canada, Valour FC’s journey has been tumultuous as well, concluding the regular season without qualifying for the playoffs, remaining the only inaugural team of the CPL yet to reach postseason play.
Matt Silva is a professional goalkeeper, originally from Canada, who has played in various leagues, including the Canadian Premier League and foreign leagues in Gibraltar and Portugal. He has gained significant acclaim for his performances in the Philippines Football League, where he has won titles. The Philippine football landscape has recently faced challenges, including financial instability leading to club dissolutions, thereby changing the competitive dynamic within the league. Silva’s transfer to Loyola FC signifies his continued commitment to contributing to the development of football in the Philippines while seeking to enhance his professional visibility.
In summary, Matt Silva has taken an important step in his football career by joining Loyola FC in the Philippines after a challenging period at United City. His extensive experience, coupled with a successful track record in Filipino football, positions him well for leadership as a starting goalkeeper. The changing dynamics of the Philippines Football League present new challenges, yet Silva’s return signifies hope for both his career and the evolving landscape of football in the region.
Original Source: northerntribune.ca
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