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Arizona United Soccer Club Adds Four Key Players

April 9, 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 - is proud to announce the signings of defender London Woodberry, midfielder Charles Renken, forward Bradlee Baladez, and goalkeeper Evan Newton, pending league and USSF approval.

Woodberry, 22, joins Arizona United SC after making his professional debut for FC Dallas in 2013, where he logged over 350 minutes in eight league matches and appeared in 11 Reserve League matches.

"London is an extremely versatile defender," Arizona United SC head coach Michael Dellorusso said. "He comes from a great organization in FC Dallas, and should make a big impact on our team."

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. He earned National Soccer Coaches Association of America Third-Team honors as a senior for the Terrapins in 2012.

"It's a dream of mine to play professional soccer and I get to continue my dream," Woodberry said. "I'm just looking forward to getting games under my belt and trying to get wins. It's not fun to lose. I'm here to win."

Renken, 20, has been a standout for the U.S. Soccer National Teams since 2005, and has represented the United States at the U-14, U-15, U-17, and U-20 levels. Renken was also a member of the distinguished U.S. Residency Program in Bradenton, Florida for three years from 2007-09. Following the conclusion of his stay in Florida, Renken joined the Vancouver Whitecaps Residency program for a season before he moved over to the German Bundesliga club TSG 1899 Hoffenheim in 2010. In Germany, Renken played for TSG 1899 Hoffenheim's U-19 team and amassed 435 minutes in 10 matches before the Portland Timbers acquired him in January 2012, via the MLS waiver process. In his one season for the Timbers, Renken appeared in all 10 of the Timber's Reserve League matches, recording two assists.

"I heard the organization is great and so far I've experienced what they have with the players and coaches," Renken said. "I'm looking forward to playing with the team."

Baladez, 22, joins Arizona United SC after playing for the North American Soccer League's Fort Lauderdale Strikers during the 2013 season after being loaned by FC Dallas. In 12 league appearances for the Strikers, Baladez notched four goals.

"Bradlee is a dynamic, explosive attacking player," Dellorusso said. "He is exciting to watch every time he touches the ball."

The former Homegrown player signee played for FC Dallas in the United States Soccer Development Academy before joining the South Carolina Gamecocks in 2010. In three seasons for South Carolina, Baladez started in 59 matches, scored 17 goals and recorded eight assists. Following the conclusion of his junior year, Baladez was All-Conference and was a National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-South honoree.

"I'm excited," Baladez said. "It's a lot different than Dallas obviously being in the desert and it's hot, but I'm excited to be here and excited to win a championship with Arizona."

Newton, 26, heads to Arizona after wrapping up a two-year stint for the San Jose Earthquakes, in which he saw action in San Jose's Reserve League team, appearing in three matches during the 2013 campaign. Collegiately, Newton played at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, where he finished as the program's all-time leader in saves (254) and shutouts (36). He was selected by the Houston Dynamo with the 7th overall selection in the 2011 MLS Supplemental Draft where he was loaned to the North American Soccer League's FC Tampa Bay, appearing in two matches. Newton was also a member of the distinguished U.S. Residency Program in Bradenton, Florida, for three years from 2003-05. Newton was also named USL Premier Development League Goalkeeper of the Year in 2007 after allowing only three goals in 14 games for the Hampton Roads Piranhas.

"I'm excited and I've heard a lot of good things," Newton said. "The supporter group is great and the city is cool. We have some experienced guys, and everybody is getting to know each other. I'm excited to get going on Saturday."

With the signing of these four players, Arizona United SC now have 12 players on the roster for the upcoming season. Earlier this week Arizona United SC announced the signings of goalkeeper Michael D'Arrigo, defenders Daniel Antúnez and Scott Morrison, midfielders Matt Kassel and Widner Saint Cyr, and forwards Brad Stisser, Brandon Swartzendruber and Kadeem Dacres.

Current Roster:

Name Position Date of Birth Country Former Club

London Woodberry D 05/28/91 USA FC Dallas

Evan Newtown GK 04/01/98 USA San Jose Earthquakes

Charles Renken M 12/19/93 USA Portland Timbers

Bradlee Baladez F 08/08/91 USA FC Dallas

Scott Morrison D 05/23/84 Scotland Phoenix FC

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 5:30 p.m. with the match slated to kick off at 7:00 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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