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USL Phoenix Rising FC

Fresh out of School and onto the Pitch

June 22, 2016 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Phoenix Rising FC News Release


Many recent college graduates have a hard time landing a job straight out of college. Arizona United goalkeeper Jordan Stagmiller landed his first professional start just 10 days after receiving his diploma.

Several months earlier, in December 2015, Stagmiller finished his degree in sport management at St. John's University. A month earlier, he completed his collegiate soccer career after 34 appearances with the Red Storm. But he would not let his final collegiate season be his last on the field.

"I wanted to play pro obviously," Stagmiller said. "That was the first thing and that's the dream as a kid. I had the idea of working a regular job on the backburner at the time but all the focus was on being a pro."

When classes ended, Stagmiller returned to Arizona where he trained with fellow local keepers. Shortly after returning to the Valley, United's third year goalkeeping coach Cory Robertson took the initiative to invite the 23 year old to train with him and help make the transition from college to professional.

"Us Arizona kids we grow up together, we know each other from goalkeepers so I knew Jordan from the past and some local contacts," Robertson said. "I heard Jordan was back and was looking for something after he graduated so we gave him an opportunity to showcase some Arizona talent."

Stagmiller was invited to participate in United's preseason and quickly signed with Arizona in March 2016, his first professional contract.

"Oh man...it was a lot of just happiness," Stagmiller said. "I was kind of nervous obviously going into my first professional season and not knowing what to expect or knowing anyone going into it. But it was a lot of excitement and just being able to be in my home town and play for a home-town team like this, not many people get to do that so it is a big time privilege."

Despite his eagerness to start his professional career in Arizona, Stagmiller knew that he would have to return to New York for his graduation. While he had finished classes in December, his actual graduation ceremony did not take place until May.

"I got a call from Arizona United saying they wanted me to come out for preseason, and I was really excited about that but I knew that I would be graduating later in the year.," Stagmiller said. "I had already booked my ticket and (asked) if they would let me go. Obviously Frank and the guys have been great about it and let me go to my graduation and have that once-in-a-lifetime kind of thing."

The next three weeks became very busy, starting with that graduation ceremony on May 22 in New York. Then, ten days later, he made his first professional start in the third round of the the U.S. Open Cup against Colorado Switchbacks FC. Ten days after his first professional start, Stagmiller picked up his first professional win and shutout in a 2-0 victory over OC Blues FC.

Overall Stagmiller is 2-1-0 in his young professional career. Arizona United head coach Frank Yallop commented on Stagmiller's performance after the team's 2-1 win over Saint Louis FC on Saturday, praising how his rookie has made the transition.

"He's doing great," Yallop said. "He's done well, he's stepped in and he's done a good job and I'm grateful."

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