Arizona United Soccer Club Re-Signs Tyler Ruthven and London Woodberry
January 20, 2015 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Phoenix Rising FC News Release
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (Tuesday, January 20, 2015) - Looking to build upon the foundation from last year's inaugural season, Arizona United Soccer Club announces the re-signing of key defenders London Woodberry and Tyler Ruthven.
The additions of Woodberry and Ruthven increases Arizona United SC's roster size to eight players under contract for the 2015 season.
"London had a very successful year for us in 2014," said Arizona United SC Head Coach Michael Dellorusso. "He is beginning to come into his own at the professional level. He is a valuable player for our club and will play a big part in our success this season."
Entering his third professional season, Woodberry re-joins Arizona United SC after scoring three goals in 26 appearances in all competitions in 2014. Woodberry notched his first professional goal in Arizona United SC's thrilling 3-2 win over the Portland Timbers U-23s in the second round of the U.S. Open Cup.
"I'm very pleased to be coming back for my second season with Arizona United," London Woodberry added. "I'm looking forward to having a great season with a lot of success."
Woodberry recorded his first USL PRO goal against the Sacramento Republic FC, and closed out his scoring account with a late-season goal against the Seattle Sounders Reserves. Woodberry appeared in all three of Arizona United SC's U.S. Open Cup matches, going the distance against the OKC Energy FC in the third round and Major League Soccer's LA Galaxy in the fourth.
The former Homegrown player signee played in FC Dallas' United States Soccer Development Academy before joining the University of Maryland Terrapins in 2009. At Maryland, Woodberry appeared in 77 matches, scored four goals, and notched four assists.
Woodberry's relationship with Dellorusso extends to his collegiate days at the University of Maryland. From 2010-12, Woodberry was coached by Dellorusso, who served as the top assistant for the Terrapins.
Featuring at center back and right back, Ruthven amassed over 1,500 minutes in 21 league appearances in his first year at Arizona United SC. Ruthven appeared in three of Arizona United SC's U.S. Open Cup matches, and was named to the starting lineup against the Timbers U-23s and LA Galaxy.
"We are very happy to have Tyler return to the club for a second year," Dellorusso said. "He is an integral member of our team on and off the field. We will look for him to grow upon year one and he will be a major leader for our club moving forward."
"I trust the front office and that made my decision to return very easy for me," said Tyler Ruthven. "I am excited about the new additions and cannot wait for the season to get started."
Hailing from Alpharetta, Ga., Ruthven joined Arizona United SC after splitting time with Swedish side Brage, and Finnish club KuPS in 2013. Ruthven first turned professional in 2010, signing with the Harrisburg City Islanders before moving over to North American Soccer League's Atlanta Silverbacks in 2011. Ruthven moved to the top division in North America when he signed with the New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer in 2012. Ruthven began his collegiate career in 2006 at the University of San Francisco, playing with current Arizona United SC defender Rob Valentino for one season before he transferred to the University of South Carolina the following year.
Arizona United Soccer Club's roster currently stands at eight players under contract for the 2015 season:
GOALKEEPER: Carl Woszczynski
DEFENDER: Scott Morrison, Rob Valentino, Tyler Ruthven, London Woodberry
MIDFIELDER: Jose "Chiva" Cuevas
FORWARD: Long Tan, Brad Stisser
- - - -
Full Name: London Woodberry
Date of Birth: May 28, 1991
Hometown: McKinney, Texas
Height: 6-1
Weight: 160
Country: USA
Full Name: Tyler Ruthven
Date of Birth: July 18, 1988
Hometown: Alpharetta, Ga.
Height: 6-2
Weight: 175
Country: USA
For more information on Arizona United Soccer Club, follow the team on Facebook www.facebook.com/ArizonaUnitedSoccer, Twitter @AZUnitedSC or Instagram @AZUnitedSC . To purchase tickets visit www.arizonaunited.com or call 623-594-9606.
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United Soccer League Championship Stories from January 20, 2015
- Three More Aztex Chosen to Close out 2015 MLS SuperDraft - Austin Aztex
- Saint Louis FC Introduces Trio of New Signings - Saint Louis FC
- Arizona United Soccer Club Re-Signs Tyler Ruthven and London Woodberry - Phoenix Rising FC
- Charleston Battery Announce Initial Nine-Match Preseason Schedule - Charleston Battery
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