Get the latest Syracuse news delivered right to your inbox. Subscribe to our sports newsletter here.

Anthony Vadori chose Josh Belluz to take a penalty kick for Vaughan Soccer Club in the 2017 Ontario Player Development League semi-final. But Vadori felt his players question the decision. As a defensive midfielder standing at 6-foot-6, Belluz isn’t a conventional penalty taker.

Still, he confidently smashed home the penalty, sending Vaughan to the final. In the midst of the celebration, Vadori said Belluz threw his hands up as if to say “what did you guys expect?”

“For a guy that is quiet to do something that almost seemed cocky was so out of character, but it was a really, really funny moment,” Vadori said.

Belluz didn’t showcase his penalty taking abilities much after, but he was a standout for Vaughan up until this summer. And after four years as a starter at Villanova, appearing in 50 games, he’s bringing versatility and experience to Syracuse.

In 2018, Syracuse contacted Vaughan about Belluz possibly playing for Syracuse. Carmine Isacco, one of Belluz’ coaches at Vaughan, said he probably wasn’t ready for the responsibility required at SU. Isacco thought it was best for him to go elsewhere where he could get consistent minutes.

“Decisions like that you never really know and there’s no way to tell what would happen but I feel like everything happens for a reason,” Belluz’s brother Alessandro said. “Sometimes you need to be in a place where you can increase your confidence and have a little bit of a longer leash.”

Sierra Zaccagnino | Design Editor

Belluz committed to Villanova, where he logged over 3,500 minutes in three seasons. But, in 2021, he only played in eight games before a broken bone in his foot shut him down for the season.

Belluz explored the professional route in the offseason but ultimately opted to enter the transfer portal. When SU head coach Ian McIntyre reached out, Mark said the decision was easy.

“Coach McIntyre was one of the first few coaches to reach out to me,” Belluz said. “I knew a bunch of people that came through this program and I’ve heard nothing but good things. So I knew that this was a good fit for me.”

Belluz’s time at Vaughn, a semi-professional team in Canada, elevated his level of play. Belluz started with Vadori and Isacco at the U15 level. Vadori and Isacco said Belluz had quick feet for a big guy and his technical ability was always on point. Isacco said Belluz read the game well, breaking up plays and making the simple pass.

Vaughan spent two training sessions a week focused on drills mirroring in-game situations. Players dribbled into zones in pressure situations while passing to hit targets. This was where Belluz excelled.

“You seldom see Josh make a mistake,” Vadori said. “His technical ability was rare and he’s always been very sharp.”

Belluz’s breakout happened in the spring of 2018. Vaughan traveled to the United States to play in showcases against colleges during the spring. Vaughn played against teams like Syracuse, Xavier, Robert Morris, Virginia, Boston College and Ohio State.

During the same spring, they played in the Soccer Institute at Montverde showcase in Florida. Led by Belluz, Vaughan became the first team outside the U.S. to win the showcase.
“Those showcases where the pace was higher, the athleticism was higher, he came to the realization that not only can ‘I do this, but I can do this at the highest level,’” Vadori said.

After Belluz entered the transfer portal this past spring, he returned to play with Vaughn. He helped them qualify for the Canadian Championship, where it faced MLS’ Montreal FC in the first round.

Made it look easy!

📺: https://t.co/6NoAdU5XdM pic.twitter.com/UMF8gQ7pJb

— Syracuse Men's Soccer (@CuseMSOC) August 29, 2023

Typically when playing semi-pro teams, professional teams rested their starters. But Montreal was in a rough patch in the league, and Vadori said they maintained regulars in their lineup. Despite losing 2-0, Belluz was a standout, looking calm and composed on the ball while helping Vaughan in their build-up play from the back. He excelled in his one-on-one defending while being strong in the air.

“Playing in that environment, it’s very easy for a 22-year-old to be overwhelmed and maybe be a bit nervous. But he was calm, composed,” Vadori said. “It was difficult, we were under siege in that game further…but he looked right at home.”

Through Syracuse’s first two games, Belluz has looked comfortable. He scored his first collegiate goal, heading home SU’s second goal in a 3-0 win over Binghamton.

Belluz starts as the defensive midfielder, then drops into the back three as the central center back. McIntyre said he’ll use Belluz based on the needs of the team, but that his time in Canada did him well.

“This kid is best as a pro when he’s at his best,” Isaaco said.

Published on August 30, 2023 at 11:40 pm

Contact Zak: zakwolf784254@gmail.com | @ZakWolf22