Zach Loyd

College and amateur

Loyd is the one of four sons of Alan and Kathleen Loyd. Loyd grew up in Verdigris, Oklahoma, attended Verdigris High School and played college soccer at the University of North Carolina (UNC) from 2006 to 2009. While at UNC, Loyd scored 7 goals and recorded 10 assists. Loyd also garnered a spot on the NCAA College Cup All-Tournament Team his junior year. Loyd assisted Brian Shriver for a game-winning goal against No. 1 Wake Forest in the national semifinal, advancing UNC to the College Cup final to face Maryland. During his college years Loyd also played for Carolina Dynamo in the USL Premier Development League. At the 2010 MLS SuperDraft Combine, experts praised Loyd's efforts, saying, "If Tchani was the best player at the combine, Loyd was the second most impressive. His ability to play well at whatever position he was put in showed off all of his many qualities, including a good passing touch, hard-nosed defending, a good ability to read the game, and surprising pace." "He's just a good all-around player, and the scary part is, he didn't really play much at what is probably his best position, defensive midfield," said another MLS head coach. "In our league, where you have the salary cap and the small roster, finding a player who can help you at a variety of positions is like finding gold."

Professional

Loyd was drafted in the first round (5th overall) of the 2010 MLS SuperDraft by FC Dallas. He made his professional debut on April 10,…

During his time at North Carolina, Loyd majored in exercise and sport science, and planned a career as a teacher and coach after soccer. Loyd has three brothers, two of whom played at Benedictine College. He married professional soccer player Casey Nogueira, whom he met when they both played soccer at North Carolina, on October 13, 2012. The couple coach Vickery United, a youth soccer team for refugees in the North Dallas neighborhood of Vickery Meadow.