Force Announces Major Player Acquisition

Published on February 6, 2003 under Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
Cleveland Force News Release


CLEVELAND, OHIO- Cleveland Force President and General Manager Paul Garofolo today announced a major player acquisition in the signing of former Major League Soccer (MLS) and New England Revolution midfielder Braeden Cloutier to a contract. Cloutier has signed with the Force for the remainder of the 2002-03 season and for the next three Force seasons as well. Per team policy terms of the contract were not disclosed.

Cloutier, 28, a 5-11 midfielder is no stranger to the indoor game as he is a six-year veteran of the sport. Braeden will make his Cleveland Force debut this Saturday's game against the Baltimore Blast. Cloutier last played for the Wichita Wings along with Force teammate Jim Larkin and 2002 Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) Most Valuable Player Dino Delevski. In addition to playing for the Wings, Braeden played two seasons for the San Diego Sockers.

"We felt that Braeden could bring us offensive punch, help in the midfield and provide veteran leadership. All three of these qualities are sorely absent from our team when Hector is unable to play. Braeden is a proven indoor player whose career stats speak for themselves. Almost every team in the MISL contacted him. We have been talking to Braeden for six months and I believe this gave us the leg up in signing him. He is an outstanding player and we are glad that a player of his caliber has selected Cleveland," commented Garofolo on the signing.

While in Wichita, Cloutier recorded career-highs in points with 172 and assists with 61 during the 1999-00 season. Braeden was a two-time All-Star Game selection, including a starting position in the 2000 All-Star Game. Cloutier posted one two-point goal and four assists for a total of six points in those two games. He was selected second-team All-National Professional Soccer League (NPSL) in the 1999-00 season.

"Braeden is a proven goal scorer that brings this team a lot of leadership qualities. He is the kind of player that we have been looking for and I am pleased that he has signed with the Force. Braeden is the type of player that can handle the difficult times of the game and is a player that wants the ball when the game is on the line," stated Head Coach Andy Schmetzer on Cloutier.

Cloutier last played for the 2002 MLS finalists and runner-up New England Revolution. In two seasons with the Revolution, Braeden appeared in 24 games including 19 starts while recording four assists.

"I am extremely excited to be playing in Cleveland and I am very happy to be playing for Coach Schmetzer. I chose to come back to the indoor game because I need some stability in my life with my family and this opportunity provided that. I have a passion for the indoor game and I really enjoy playing and look forward to getting back into action," said Cloutier.

Prior to playing for the Revolution, Cloutier played three seasons in the MLS with the New York/New Jersey MetroStars and the San Jose Earthquakes. In the three seasons with the MetroStars and the Earthquakes, he recorded four goals and nine assists for a total of 18 points.

In addition to playing in the MLS, Cloutier played for the Charleston Battery in the A-League. He was a member of the U.S. Under-17 team and at the age 16 played with the Hamburg SV reserve team in the German Third Division.

A Native of Wichita, Cloutier and wife Danielle have three children. The Cloutier family will make Cleveland their year round home once the school year is completed in Southern California where they currently reside. Braeden enjoys golf and is an avid fly fisherman and hunter.

In other news, the Force placed defender Zach Scott on waivers on Monday to make room on the 20-man roster for Cloutier. Cleveland placed midfielder Andrew Gregor on waivers for the termination of his contract. The Force also signed defender Mark Schulte to a second 15-day or five game contract.

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