# Chris Nanco

Christopher Lenroy Nanco (born February 15, 1995) is a Canadian former professional soccer player.

## Early life

He began playing youth soccer with Brampton Youth SC. At age 12, he joined Sigma FC. While with Sigma, he had an opportunity to trial with the Liverpool Academy in England in 2010.

## College career

In June 2013, Nanco committed to Syracuse University, where he played for the men's soccer team. He made his debut on August 30 against the Colgate Raiders. He scored his first two goals for Syracuse on September 9, 2013, against the Manhattan Jaspers. As a sophomore, he scored five goals and added two assists, finishing as the team's second leading scorer. During his junior season, he began playing as a central forward, also playing a midfield role at times, transitioning from a primarily winger role in earlier seasons. He finished his junior season with four goals. On September 1, 2016, he had his second career two-goal game, leading Syracuse to a 3–0 victory over Colgate. As a senior, he led the team in scoring with seven goals and at the end of his senior season, he was named an All-ACC First Team All-Star and to the All-South Region third team. Through his time at Syracuse, the team had a perfect 16–0 record in games he scored. He was invited to the MLS Player Combine, ahead of the 2017 MLS SuperDraft.

## Club career

From 2014 to 2016, Nanco played in League1 Ontario with Sigma FC, during the college off-seasons. In 2016, he was named to the League1 Ontario All-Star Game roster for the West Division.
In January 2017, Nanco was selected 55th overall in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft by Philadelphia Union. In March 2017, he signed a professional contract with the Union's USL side, Bethlehem Steel. He scored his first professional goal in his professional debut on April 15, 2017, against the Harrisburg City Islanders. After the 2018 season, he departed the club.
In November 2018, Nanco joined Forge FC for the inaugural season of the Canadian Premier League in 2019, being one of the team's first two ever signings. Nanco helped Forge win the CPL championship in their first season. On August 22, 2019, he scored to lead Forge to a 1–0 victory in the first leg of the CONCACAF League Round of 16 over Honduran club Olimpia. In 2020, Nanco missed half of the season with a hamstring injury, as Forge once again won the league title. In February 2021, he re-signed with the club for the 2021 season.
In 2023, he played with the Des Moines Menace in USL League Two.
Later in 2023, he joined Finnish club Sporting Kristina, playing with the first team in the fourth tier Kolmonen and the second team in the fifth tier Nelonen.
In March 2024, he announced his retirement.

## International career

In January 2011, he debuted in the Canadian national program, attending a camp with the Canada U17 team. He won a silver medal with them at the 2011 CONCACAF U-17 Championship, scoring the winning goal in a 2–0 victory over Trinidad and Tobago U17 on February 23, 2011, to qualify Canada for the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup, where he also played.
In August 2014, he was named to the Canada U20 for the Dale Farm Milk Cup and was also named to the team for the 2015 CONCACAF U-20 Championship.

## Career statistics

    As of matches played on December 31, 2023
| Club | Season | League | League | League | Playoffs | Playoffs | National Cup | National Cup | Continental | Continental | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Sigma FC | 2016 | League1 Ontario | 9 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | 1 |
| Bethlehem Steel | 2017 | USL | 27 | 4 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 28 | 4 |
| Bethlehem Steel | 2018 | USL | 30 | 5 | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 32 | 5 |
| Bethlehem Steel | Total | Total | 57 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 9 |
| Forge FC | 2019 | Canadian Premier League | 24 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 29 | 5 |
| Forge FC | 2020 | Canadian Premier League | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 2 | 0 | 7 | 2 |
| Forge FC | 2021 | Canadian Premier League | 18 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 24 | 2 |
| Forge FC | 2022 | Canadian Premier League | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 11 | 0 |
| Forge FC | Total | Total | 55 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 11 | 1 | 35 | 7 |
| Des Moines Menace | 2023 | USL League Two | 6 | 0 | ? | ? | 1 | 0 | — | — | 7+ | 0 |
| Sporting Kristina B | 2023 | Nelonen | 3 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 5 |
| Sporting Kristina | 2023 | Kolmonen | 6 | 3 | — | — | 0 | 0 | — | — | 6 | 3 |
| Career Total | Career Total | Career Total | 136 | 26 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 11 | 1 | 156 | 27 |

## Honours

Forge FC
* Canadian Premier League: 2019, 2020, 2022