MNUFC2 announced today that the club has signed midfielder Luciano Pechota to a one-year MLS NEXT Pro contract through 2026, with a club option for 2027.
“Luciano is very versatile, a tank in covering ground, disciplined and he is willing to learn and adapt,” said MNUFC2 Head Coach Fanendo Adi. “He brings a good amount of energy to our midfield with lots to learn as well. We are excited to have him with our club, and to see him continue to progress in his game understanding and midfield control.”
“I am really grateful for the opportunity to represent this great club and start my professional journey,” said midfielder Luciano Pechota. “I am extremely grateful to all of my family, coaches, and other mentors that have helped me grow as a person and player throughout the years. I can’t wait to get to work and am very excited for what’s ahead.”
Luciano Pechota arrives in Minnesota after playing four seasons collegiately at The Ohio State University from 2022-25. With the Buckeyes, Pechota made 72 game appearances (56 starts), where he provided 15 assists and scored eight goals in over 5,100 minutes of action on the pitch. In 2025, he provided a single-season career high in assists (eight) and was one of two players for Ohio State to start every game. In 2024, Pechota helped lead the Scarlet and Gray to the NCAA Division I College Cup, playing all 90 minutes in the national semifinal match.
During his time in Columbus, the midfielder earned a number of postseason accolades and honors, including Second Team All-Big Ten (2023, 2024) and the OSU Scholar Athlete (2023, 2024, 2025).
Prior to his time at Ohio State, Pechota had a prolific high school career with St. Ignatius High School in Cleveland, Ohio. With St. Ignatius, the midfielder helped lead his team to becoming three-time Ohio high school state and NSCAA national champions (2019, 2020, 2021). He was notably named the United Soccer Coaches National 2021 High School Player of the Year and was also named Mr. Ohio Soccer twice (2020 and 2021).
Transaction: MNUFC2 signs midfielder Luciano Pechota to a one-year MLS NEXT Pro contract through 2026, with a club option for 2027.
VITALS
Luciano Pechota
Pronunciation: Loo-SHEE-AH-no peh-COAT-uh
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5’6”
Weight: 145
Date of Birth: 12/5/2003 (22 years old)
Birthplace: Cleveland, Ohio
Hometown: Avon, Ohio
Previous Club: The Ohio State University
