Strykers Ink Former Morocco Youth International Alami
25-year-old embarks on his maiden MASL campaign
Ontario, Calif. — The Empire Strykers today announced they have signed Mounir Alami through the 2025-26 Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) season. Alami recently played for several eleven-a-side teams in the Chicago area, following a youth career that saw him earn a contract with a professional squad in the topflight of his native Morocco. As one of the country’s most highly-touted prospects, the forward became a member of the youth national team system, including at the U-19 level.
“I’m really excited to be headed to Southern California and looking forward to a new challenge in my career,” said the Strykers’ latest addition via written statement. “I’ve enjoyed training and transitioning from outdoor to indoor. It forces me to learn and work hard, which will make me a better player overall. In my first season in the MASL, I want to show what I have to offer and help get us into the playoffs.”
Growing up in Oued-Zem, Morocco, Mounir Alami shone for local youth club EMC Oued-Zem as a teenager and attracted the interest of first division outfit RC Oued-Zem, which added the then 17-year-old to its senior squad in 2017. After two years with RCOZ, Alami joined his family in the U.S. and subsequently laced up for Panathinaikos Chicago of the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) and Chicago FC United of United Soccer Leagues (USL) League Two as well as Berber City FC and Chicago Nation FC of the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL). He also competed with Berber City’s indoor side.
Empire’s newest player opted for the MASL despite recent interest from a team in Spain and a team in USL League One.
“We feel fortunate to have Mounir Alami joining us,” said the Strykers’ executive vice president, Jimmy Nordberg. “He’s an example of a gifted, young player whose unique path has caused him to fly under the radar and become available at the perfect time. We believe Mounir’s technical ability lends itself nicely to our sport and that he has the potential to do something special. We’re all rooting for him to succeed.”
Season ticket packages for the Empire Strykers’ 2024-25 MASL campaign are available now and may be purchased here. Single-game tickets will go on sale soon.