April started poorly for FC Buffalo, the Queen City’s top level men’s soccer club. The team’s longest tenured player and captain Andrew Larracuente learned that he’d miss the season due to injury, and aside from returning the bulk of last year’s roster, the Blitzers lacked an infusion of new talent.

Everything changed with Friday evening’s news. The team announced that striker Kendell McFayden (Williamsville North) and midfielder Gary Boughton (Lancaster)—the club’s two primary off-season targets—have been added to the fold after their attempts to make the cash-strapped Rochester Rhinos of the USL fell short. With the duo’s pace and pedigree, the Blitzers suddenly have a fearsome attack.

Both newcomers have played professionally in the last two years: McFayden plied his trade with the Austin Aztex in 2010 before helping Kitsap Pumas to a PDL championship last year, while Boughton was a member of FC New York in 2011 (before the team moved to the NPSL) and the Major Indoor Soccer League’s Rochester Lancers this winter.

Even though the NPSL is an amateur league—obviously not what the two former Medaille starlets had in mind—the ability to play under their former college coach Dan Krzyzanowicz, to enrich Western New York soccer with homegrown talent and to showcase their abilities on a worthy stage must not be overlooked.

Despite scoring in a preseason friendly against Colgate, McFayden was caught in a numbers crunch in a deep Rhinos attacking unit. He’ll likely join Andy Tiedt or Mike Reidy up front for the Blitzers this season, while Boughton, who still holds the NCAA Division III career assist record with 82 in 86 games, fits snugly as either an attacking midfielder or winger. McFayden will wear #23, and Boughton will don #10.

Check out the Blitzers’ 2012 schedule for dates to watch the electric former Maverick tandem in action.

Hint: If you watch or fast forward to the 10 minute mark, you’ll see Boughton celebrate in Tim Tebow fashion. Impressive.

Photo credit: Kevin Buehler, OAOA.com