#5 Mikey Lopez
Position: Midfielder/Defender
Height: 5’ 9”
Weight: 160
DOB: 02/20/1993
Age: 30
Hometown: Mission, TX
College: North Carolina
Previous Club: San Antonio FC (USL Championship)
Mikey Lopez, in his fourth year with the club during the 2022 season, made 32 appearances for the Three Sparks. He registered 1,260 passes (83.7 passing accuracy), 49 interceptions, 234 duels, and 128 duels won.
Lopez made 27 appearances for the Legion during the 2021 season with a role as both an attacker and defender. The Mexican-American scored two goals and was a tactical presence on the pitch, garnering four assists for the Legion to tie for second most on the squad. His outside-the-box goal against his former club OKC Energy secured Birmingham a draw. On the defensive side, Lopez led the team in tackles (63) and made 17 clearances, 27 interceptions and two blocks.
Lopez, 28, started every match in 2020 except for one, and finished the year second on the team in clearances (34), second in interceptions (24), second in blocks (7), third in tackles (25), third in minutes (1438), third in passes (742), and added six chances created and one game-tying goal in the final minute at Charlotte on August 12.
The Texas-native was Legion FC’s 2019 Defensive Player of the Year, and he took the field wearing the captain’s armband for most of the season. His versatility was readily on display as he played all across the midfield, as well as at right back. He finished the year tied for fourth on the team in appearances (30), fourth in starts (28), and fourth in minutes played (2,390). He was also first on the team in passes (1256), sixth in goals (3) and shots (17), seventh in chances created (22), sixth in clearances (50), second in interceptions (46) and first in tackles (85).
Lopez spent 2018 with San Antonio FC and the two seasons prior with New York City FC in MLS. Originally, Lopez was the 14th overall pick in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft to Sporting Kansas City. His time in Kansas City included loan moves to USL sides Orlando City SC and Oklahoma City Energy FC in 2014 and 2015.
Before turning pro, Lopez spent two years playing collegiately at the University of North Carolina. While with the Tar Heels, he was an integral part of their 2011 NCAA Championship team and was named the ACC Freshman of the Year. The midfielder made 17 appearances with the United States Under-20 National Team in 2012-13 and was a key part of the U-20 squad that finished second in the 2013 CONCACAF Championship, qualifying for the 2013 U-20 World Cup.
