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Crystal Palace Baltimore Sign Trio Of Proven Performers

February 9, 2010 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Crystal Palace Baltimore News Release


Baltimore, MD - Crystal Palace Baltimore have signed three players with proven abilities at the second division level, adding critical depth and experience to the 2010 squad. Defender Shaun Pejic joins from the Vancouver Whitecaps, while attack-minded pair Randi Patterson and Tsuyoshi Yoshitake were both with the Charleston Battery.

Palace Baltimore assistant coach Todd Wawrousek spoke about the new signings: "When we got Shaun in August last year at Vancouver, he was a season changer for us, solving our problems at center back. His qualities are he's very poised, very consistent and very confident. He injects that important calming influence into the players around him. Yoshi is the kind of player who, whenever he's on the ball, brings spectators to the edge of their seats. He has that kind of excitement to his game - he's very pacy and he loves the challenge of taking on opponents 1-v-1. As a wide midfielder he's a component that you really need to break teams down and he does that well. Randi has an incredible work ethic - he looks as energetic in the 85th minute of a game as he does in the 5th minute. He's a very explosive player and he can change the game for you at any moment."

"We're thrilled to have these three pivotal players in the mix," Wawrousek concluded. "When you have proven commodities in this league, the kind of players whose names you put check marks against when you're planning to play against them, it puts you in a very strong position when you have them on your side. They are all consummate professionals and I look forward to working with them to bring out their best and to make them a part of a productive Palace team."

Shaun Pejic comes to Palace from fellow NASL and USSF Divison II club Vancouver Whitecaps FC. The 27-year old Hereford, England native signed for the Whitecaps for the final third of their 2009 season, making a total of nine appearances. Before moving to North America, the 6' 2" central defender had played 19 times for English Conference club York City FC in the 2008-09 season. Pejic was a member of the York side that reached the English Football Association Challenge Trophy final at Wembley Stadium on May 9, 2009, where they fell 2-0 to Stevenage Borough FC. Pejic spent the previous nine seasons with Wrexham AFC, during which time the club fluctuated between the English Division Two (now League One), Division Three (now League Two), League Two and Conference. He first joined the North Wales club as a youth trainee before making his first-team debut at age 18 in 2001, going on to make nearly 200 appearances through 2008. Pejic - whose maternal grandparents are Welsh - earned six caps for Wales at the U-21 international level.

Randi Patterson, a 24-year old from Hackensack, New Jersey, comes to us from Charleston where he scored an impressive 19 goals in his two seasons with the club. Prior to joining the South Carolina club, Patterson spent a year with the New York Red Bulls after they drafted him in the first round of the 2007 MLS suplemental draft, scoring once in just two appearances for the MLS side. The 5' 9" forward has full national team credentials having represented Trinidad & Tobago on two occasions. Patterson spent four years at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro where he earned two-time Southern Conference Player of the Year and NCSAA All-American honors. He finished his college career with a remarkable 61 goals - fifth all time at UNCG - and 19 assists. In 2006, while at UNCG, he also played for PDL club Carolina Dynamo tallying 20 goals in as many games, helping his team advance to the 4th round of the US Open Cup, further than any PDL team has progressed before or since. Patterson has also played indoors with the Chicago Storm and the New Jersey Ironmen.

Speedy 28-year old Japanese winger Tsuyoshi Yoshitake also played last season with the Charleston Battery, tallying 6 goals and 5 assists in 27 appearances. The set-piece specialist scored from the penalty spot on his home debut against the Minnesota Thunder. Yoshi earned League Team of the Week recognition on five occasions,and was named Newcomer of the Year by his club. Before coming to the USA, the 5' 8" native of Mie Prefecture old spent a year at Tokyo Verdy 1969, having spent the previous six seasons at Yokohama FC where he helped them win promotion to the J1 league in 2006. Yoshitake's career J-League statistics include 150 games played with 15 goals and 10 assists.

About Crystal Palace Baltimore One of only 31 professional soccer clubs in the United States, Crystal Palace Baltimore was founded in 2006 and is a member of the North American Soccer League (NASL). The pro team currently competes in the new United States Soccer Federation (USSF) 2nd Division and in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The club also runs a Professional Development Academy for young players at age levels U10 through U18. Crystal Palace Baltimore is the sister organization of 105-year old Crystal Palace Football Club in the United Kingdom. The London-based club was a founding member of the English Premier League and currently competes in the Coca Cola Football League Championship. More information can be found at http://www.crystalpalaceusa.com

About the NASL The North American Soccer League (NASL) was established in November 2009 and is comprised of the following active teams: Carolina RailHawks, Crystal Palace Baltimore, Miami FC, NSC Minnesota Stars, Montreal Impact, Rochester Rhinos, AC St. Louis, FC Tampa Bay Rowdies and Vancouver Whitecaps FC. For the 2010 season, the NASL's nine teams, together with three teams (Austin Aztex, Portland Timbers and Puerto Rico Islanders) from the United Soccer Leagues, will play in a second division league established and administered by the United States Soccer Federation. In 2011, the NASL will be joined by teams in Atlanta and Edmonton. The NASL and its member teams are committed to building on their long tradition of providing a high level of soccer to fans across theUnited States and Canada in 2010 and beyond.

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