FC Cincinnati 2 have signed midfielder Peter Mangione (man-gee-OH-knee) to an MLS NEXT Pro contract, the club announced today. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Mangione joins the Orange and Blue following a four-year collegiate career at Penn State University. Mangione finished his time as a Nittany Lion as one of the program’s most prolific goal scorers, finding the back of the net 31 times which stands at 13th all-time at the university.
A versatile attacking threat, Mangione also made appearances as a forward for the Nittany Lions and tallied 16 assists over his Penn State career. As a freshman, the Hunt Valley, Maryland native led the team with six assists and set a career best for a single season in the category.
Mangione impressed in his Nittany Lion debut in 2020 against the University of Maryland when he scored the match-winning goal and added one assist on the night. Mangione would go on to score six goals in 11 appearances as a freshman.
During his sophomore season in 2021, Mangione was deployed as one of the team’s primary scoring threats, notching seven goals in 21 appearances and earning Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year. Mangione became the first Penn State player since 2014 to be awarded the annual honor.
Mangione’s junior season was his most efficient as a goal scorer, as he found the back of the net eight times in 16 appearances. It was the first season that Mangione led Penn State in goals as he successfully converted on 32 percent of his shot attempts.
In his final year at Penn State, Mangione hit the double-digit goal mark for the first time in his Nittany Lion career, scoring ten goals and leading the team for the second consecutive season. Mangione also set career high marks in points (24), shots on goal (22) and game-winning goals (6).
The standout attacking midfielder finished his Penn State career with numerous accolades including a selection to the Big 10 All-Freshman team, three selections to the All-Big 10 First Team and made an appearance on the Hermann Trophy short list in 2022.
TRANSACTION: FC Cincinnati 2 sign Peter Mangione to an MLS NEXT Pro contract on February 27, 2024.
PETER MANGIONE
Position: Midfielder
Hometown: Hunt Valley, Maryland
Nationality: American
Previous Club: Penn State University
FC Cincinnati 2 Roster (MLS NEXT Pro contracted players only)
Goalkeepers: Hunter Morse
Defenders: Nico Benalcazar, Amir Daley, Juan Machado, Brian Schaefer
Midfielders: Jesus Castellano, Alejandro Guido, Peter Mangione, Yair Ramos, Yeiner Valoyes
Forwards: Ben Stitz, Moises Tablante
