Arizona United Soccer Club Adds Three Highly Regarded Collegiate Players
April 8, 2014 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Phoenix Rising FC News Release
PEORIA, Ariz. (Tuesday, April 08, 2014) - Arizona United Soccer Club (Arizona United SC) - Arizona's only professional soccer team playing in the USL PRO league - has signed three highly regarded collegiate players midfielder Widner Saint Cyr, forward Kadeem Dacres, and Tucson born goalkeeper Michael D'Arrigo.
D'Arrigo enters his first professional season after wrapping up a successful four-year career at the University of San Diego in 2013, where he finished in a variety of school top-10 career and single season records. In his senior season, D'Arrigo led the West Coast Conference (WCC) in saves (89) and was named All-WCC Honorable Mention.
"I'm excited to represent my home state and start a new career," D'Arrigo said. "It's awesome. I don't feel like I'm representing just myself. I feel like I'm representing my town, city, friends, family FC Tucson, and even Fort Lowell."
During D'Arrigo's collegiate career, he played two seasons for USL Premier Development League's FC Tucson, where he made six appearances in the 2012 and 2013 seasons. In 2012, FC Tucson's inaugural season, D'Arrigo played the full 90 minutes in their first postseason appearance in franchise history.
Saint-Cyr, born in Port Au Prince, Haiti, will also be making his professional debut this season for Arizona United SC after concluding his senior season for the University of Maryland Terrapins in 2013. At Maryland, Saint-Cyr appeared in 49 matches and helped guide the Terrapins to a 2009 Elite Eight College Cup appearance.
"It's a fantastic opportunity," Saint-Cyr said. "A lot of players out there wanted to play for this type of team and I'm the one who has the opportunity and I'm just excited for the season."
Before he joined Maryland, Saint-Cyr participated in Haiti's U-17 and U-20 National Teams, and for Haiti in the 2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup in South Korea. Saint-Cyr also played one season for the New York Red Bulls in the United States Soccer Development Academy.
Dacres joins Arizona United SC after wrapping up his collegiate career at the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) in 2013. Dacres spent two years at UMBC where he appeared in 41 matches, scored 12 goals and notched seven assists. He was named America East Midfielder of the year in 2013.
"I'm very happy, it's an exciting time," Dacres said. "I'm looking forward to helping the team bring winning ways over here."
Dacres competed for Mercer County Community College and was cited as a 2010 National Soccer Coaches Association of America Junior College First-Team All-American. As a youth player, Dacres participated in U.S. Soccer's U-15, U-17 and U-18 National Team and played for Met Oval in the United States Soccer Development Academy.
With the acquisition of these three players, Arizona United SC now has seven players on the roster for the upcoming season. Earlier this week Arizona United SC announced the signings of defender Daniel Antúnez, midfielder Matt Kassel, and forwards Brad Stisser, Brandon Swartzendruber.
Current Roster:
Name Position Date of Birth Country Former Club
Widner Saint Cyr M 11/18/90 Haiti University of Maryland
Kadeem Dacres F 08/25/91 USA University of Maryland-Baltimore County
Michael D'Arrigo GK 06/20/91 USA University of San Diego
Daniel Antúnez D 02/10/86 USA Chivas USA
Matt Kassel M 10/30/89 USA Philadelphia Union
Brandon Swartzendruber F 04/02/85 USA Dayton Dutch Lions
Brad Stisser F 09/24/86 USA Atlanta Silverbacks
Arizona United SC will make its inaugural USL PRO debut at home on Saturday, April 12th at the Peoria Sports Complex against the expansion Oklahoma City Energy. Gates to Peoria Sports Complex will open at 6 p.m. with the match slated to kick off at 7:10 p.m.
For more information regarding Arizona United SC or to purchase tickets visit online at www.arizonaunited.com . Fans and media can also follow the team on Facebook www.facebook.com/ArizonaUnitedSoccer or Twitter twitter.com/AZUnitedSC
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