Forward Charlie Rugg Returns to Indy Eleven
March 18, 2015 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Indy Eleven News Release
INDIANAPOLIS (Wednesday, March 18, 2015) - Indy Eleven has added another familiar face to the team's 2015 roster with Wednesday's reacquisition of forward Charlie Rugg via a loan deal with defending Major League Soccer champion LA Galaxy. Per club policy, financial terms surrounding the season-long loan will not be released.
"Charlie was clearly a difference-maker for the team at the end of last year, and bringing him back into the fold is a huge boost for the club," said Indy Eleven Head Coach/Director of Soccer Operations Juergen Sommer. "He's a physical presence that is dangerous in front of goal in a number of different ways, and we can't wait to see the impact he can provide across a full season of play."
The return of Rugg brings Indy Eleven's roster up to 19 signed players as the squad gets ever closer to its April 4th season opener at the Atlanta Silverbacks.
The 24-year-old Rugg's cameo with the "Boys in Blue" last fall was brief but impactful, as he notched a goal and assist while playing every minute during the team's season-ending five-game undefeated streak (3W-0L-2D). Rugg helped Indy Eleven to its first league win at home on October 11, when he contributed the game-winning assist on Victor Pineda's opening goal in a 2-0 triumph over Minnesota United FC. He followed that up a week later by scoring a game-winner of his own, the lone tally in a 1-0 victory over the eventual NASL champion San Antonio Scorpions.
"The 2014 season was undoubtedly an important one for the development of my professional career. I grew a lot playing with LA Galaxy II, but I feel that my short time here in Indy was equally important and a good note to end on," said Rugg, who has arrived in Indianapolis and will begin training with the squad today. "I'd like to pick up where I left off and use this year to continue to grow as well as help Indy Eleven stand out in the NASL."
The 2015 campaign will mark Rugg's third as a professional after being selected by the Galaxy in the first round (19th pick overall) of the 2013 MLS SuperDraft. Rugg appeared in four first team matches for the Galaxy in 2013, and while he did not appear for the MLS squad in 2014, he was a mainstay for the LA Galaxy II team that debuted in the USL PRO League (now USL) last year, notching eight goals and three assists in 25 appearances.
"A focal point of the offseason was to bring back a core of players that helped us finish last year on a strong note, and Charlie was a big part of that late-season success," said Indy Eleven President/General Manager Peter Wilt. "We want to thank Jovan Kirovski and Bruce Arena at the Galaxy for their cooperation and belief that Indy Eleven provides the best environment for Charlie's continued development."
Just 17 days remain until Indy Eleven's 2015 NASL Spring Season opener in Atlanta on April 4, followed a week later by the team's home opener at Carroll Stadium on Saturday, April 11, against the New York Cosmos, featuring Indy Eleven's World Cup winner Kleberson taking on legendary Spanish striker Raul in the latter's NASL debut.
Limited amounts of full season and partial season ticket packages remain, while single game tickets are also available for all 15 NASL regular season games at "The Mike." For full ticket information, visit www.IndyEleven.com/tickets or call 317-685-1100.
For Indy Eleven's full 2015 NASL regular season schedule, visit www.indyeleven.com/schedule, or click here to download a PDF version.
#99 Charlie Rugg
Position: Forward
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 175 lbs.
Born: October 2, 1990 in Roslindale, Mass.
Hometown: Roslindale, Mass.
Nationality: USA
College: Boston College
Last Club: LA Galaxy (MLS)
Previous Clubs: LA Galaxy (MLS, 2013-15), LA Galaxy II , Indy Eleven
About Indy Eleven Professional Soccer
After selling out all 14 home games of its 2014 Inaugural Season in the North American Soccer League (NASL), a professional soccer league based in the United States and Canada, Indy Eleven is now preparing for its second season beginning in April 2015. The squad contests its home games at Michael A. Carroll Stadium on the campus of IUPUI in downtown Indianapolis, where an average of nearly 10,500 fans helped Indy Eleven lead the growing league in attendance during its first season.
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