Aztex Bolster Defense with Signing of Mikey Ambrose
Published on January 14, 2015 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Austin Aztex News Release
AUSTIN, Texas (Wednesday, January 14, 2014) - The Austin Aztex have confirmed the signing of defender Mikey Ambrose. With the signing, Ambrose will forgo his senior season at the University of Maryland in order to play for Austin's professional soccer team.
"This is a proud moment for all involved in the Austin Aztex organization," Aztex Head Coach Paul Dalglish said. "Being able to attract, in my opinion, the best left back from the college game highlights what we have been working towards since our creation, which is to be the very best place for young players to develop. Mikey's choice to put his trust in the Aztex to start his career as a professional is justification for the hard work everyone is putting in to achieve this goal. College soccer provides incredible opportunities for young players in this country. At the Aztex, we want to provide an alternative for the elite young soccer player, who would rather develop in a professional environment year-round."
Ambrose, a 21-year-old left back, is a familiar face that was a centerpiece in the Aztex backline in the 2013 and 2014 PDL campaigns. Born in El Paso, Texas, Ambrose has had a stellar collegiate career at Maryland and was a member of the U-17, U-18, and U-20 U.S. national teams. Before entering college, he played for the FC Dallas reserve team and was the #2 national recruit according to CollegeSoccerNews.com.
"I am very excited to be joining the Aztex," Ambrose said. "I love the organization, the coaching staff, and the fans. It really is an amazing professional environment. I am also very excited to be there for the first year to help start the pro team. I think the fans and the city have been waiting for this to happen and I'm just happy to be a part of it."
"I left Maryland early because I feel like I'm ready to start my career and Austin is the perfect place for me to start. I love the style of play and the players that have been signed already. It fits me perfectly and it was the best choice for me at this time. It was a very hard choice to leave Maryland but I really thought hard about it and am very excited about my decision. Coach Paul Dalglish and the entire coaching staff were very helpful in my decision. They said that they were really interested in me and respected my decision, whatever it was. They were nothing but supportive."
The signing of Ambrose set the 2015 USL PRO roster to nine announced players as the Aztex continue to put their pieces together to create a talented and competitive roster to represent the city in its new venture into the professional soccer ranks. Ambrose is the second player to forgo his final college season to play for the Aztex, as goalkeeper Devin Perales left Coastal Carolina early to play professionally.
The Aztex kick off their preseason versus Major League Soccer's D.C. United in the ATX Pro Challenge, a four-team tournament featuring MLS Squads D.C. United, Columbus Crew SC, and FC Dallas. For more information on the ATX Pro Challenge, visit www.austinaztex.com/atxprochallenge.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from January 14, 2015
- S2 to Hold Open Tryouts at Starfire Sports February 13-14 - USL
- Aztex Bolster Defense with Signing of Mikey Ambrose - Austin Aztex
- Sacramento Republic FC Announces Additional Preseason Friendlies - Sacramento Republic FC
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