Fury FC Add USL Champion; Sign Former MLS First Rounder
Published on January 14, 2016 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Ottawa Fury FC News Release
OTTAWA, ON - Ottawa Fury FC today announced the signing of defenders Onua Thomas Obasi and Rich Balchan pending ITC approval. Obasi comes to Fury FC after helping the Rochester Rhinos to the USL Championship. Boasting both MLS and NASL experience, Balchan brings strength, depth and experience to a club that posted the best defensive record in the NASL in 2015. As per club policy, terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
"He is the perfect player profile for the way we want to play with his attacking qualities from the left back position," said head coach Paul Dalglish of Obasi's talents. "He is a 1-v-1 specialist with real quality in the first third and I am excited to finally get to work alongside him."
Obasi, 27, is a dynamic left-back whose pace and footwork provide a range of versatility down the left flank. The native of Birmingham, England has spent the last two years as one of the most well-rounded left-backs in the USL. At 6'4, Obasi boasts size and pace and logged significant minutes for the Rhinos helping them to their first championship since 2010 and a USL-record low 15 goals against this past season. The Englishman featured in 44 games during his two seasons in Rochester scoring a goal and four assists while logging over 3500 minutes.
Obasi featured in the development league for Leigh Genesis FC in England and Cefn Druids AFC in Wales while playing for the University of Liverpool from 2008-2011.
Balchan, 26, spent the 2015 season in the NASL with the Tampa Bay Rowdies featuring in 15 matches. Prior to joining the Rowdies, Balchan spent four years in the MLS. A first round (12th overall) pick of the Columbus Crew in the 2011 MSL SuperDraft, Balchan made 19 appearances for the Crew during his two years with the club. In 2013, he made the move to the MLS' Western Conference in joining Real Salt Lake where he spent two seasons.
"Rich is a very reliable right back who is solid as a rock defensively," said head coach Paul Dalglish. "He is also very quick and possesses the athleticism required to get up and down the pitch in our system."
The Ann Arbour, MI native appeared in all but two out of 80 possible matches in his four-year NCAA career at Indiana University. Balchan scored 4 goals and added 7 assists for the Hoosiers.
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