Palace Baltimore Bolsters Squad With Four New Signings

Published on April 15, 2009 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Crystal Palace Baltimore News Release


Baltimore, MD - Crystal Palace Baltimore are pleased to announce the signing of four players, pending USSF and USL approval. Forward Jordan Seabrook, defender/forward Zack Flores, defender Olawale "Wale" Adelusimi and defender Ryan Pierce provide a strong Palace squad with vital depth as the team prepares to open the 2009 campaign this Friday.

ZACK FLORES

Flores was born in 1982 in Logan, Utah and grew in nearby Smithfield. He is the older brother of former Crystal Palace Baltimore striker, Sergio Flores. Zack was a long-distance runner at Skyview High School in Smithfield and played on a regional Olympic Development Program team in California with Landon Donovan. In 2000, at the young age of 18, Flores left the United States to join Chacarita Juniors in the Argentine 1st Division. Four years later, he signed for The Strongest in Bolivia where he played for until 2007. It was there that he made his first appearances in the renowned Copa Libertadores. In 2006, Flores was called up to Bolivian National team but an injury prevented him from making any appearances. In 2007 he moved to Bolivar where he also played in the Copa Libertadores against Boca Juniors. He tried out with Chivas USA of Major League Soccer during the 2008 pre-season but international registration issues prevented a long-term deal. Flores can play as a right back or as a wide midfielder.

"Zack is an incredible player, we tried to get him last year but couldn't make it work," stated Pete Medd, Crystal Palace Baltimore's President and Co-Manger, "He has a huge amount of experience at the highest level in South America. We see him as an attacking option, but he's also played at right back in Bolivia. He possesses a ton of speed. He's a great addition - we're extremely happy."

JORDAN SEABROOK

21-year old striker Seabrook grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana. He attended North Central High School where he scored a remarkable 38 goals in his senior year. From 2005-2008, Seabrook appeared in 85 matches for the University of South Florida, tallying 31 goals and 25 assists as a four-time All-Big East selection. He was selected by the Colorado Rapids in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft.

"We're excited to sign him," remarked Palace Baltimore's Sporting Director and Co-Manger, Jim Cherneski. "Keith Tabatznik, our Academy Curriculum Director, who has a lot of experience as a television commentator for NCAA soccer, did a great job scouting him out so he deserves a lot of credit. Jordan has exceptional pace - he was a track athlete at USF and in high school at a variety of sprint distances. He's been dangerous in pre-season, particularly against the Red Bulls."

RYAN PIERCE

Born in 1983, defender Pierce grew up in Cobleskill, New York. He played his college soccer at Herkimer County Community College, where he was named 2003 NJCAA Region II Player of the Year, and at Binghamton University, where he made 43 consecutive starts. Pierce played for the Cape Cod Crusaders and Albany Admirals in PDL before signing his first professional contract in 2007 with the Harrisburg City Islanders, helping them win the USL2 Championship in his first season. He has also won back-to-back indoor titles with the Baltimore Blast in 2008 and 2009. Pierce was acquired in a trade that sent Brandon Swartzendruber to Harrisburg.

Medd explained: "The City Islanders had a need, we had a need so it was a good fit for everyone. Pierce is a player we know very well, he's a very strong player. We've been trying to sign him for two years so we're ecstatic to finally we've got our man."

Cherneski added: "Ryan is a proven entity in our league. He's a solid left back, good in air, reads the game well. He's technically excellent, with a good touch to go along with his good positional sense"

OLAWALE ADELUSIMI (oh-lah-WAH-lay ah-day-loo-SEE-mee)

26-year old defender Adelusimi grew up in Ondo State, Nigeria. "Wale" (WAH-lay) as he likes to be called, came to the United States in 2002 to attend college. He spent a year at MidWestern State in Wichita Falls, Texas, followed by two years at Chandler-Gilbert Junior College in Phoenix, Arizona where he was named First Team All-Regional and First Team All-Conference. Adelusimi won the 2008 PDL Championship with the Thunder Bay Chill in 2008.

"He's a very physical, tenacious player," said Medd "but he's been injured since he got here, so we're looking forward to getting him back to full fitness. He plays both center back and full back, but we see him primarily as a backup for our center backs" .

Palace open their 2009 regular season USL2 campaign at UMBC Stadium this Friday, April 17 at 7:30pm when they welcome the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. Tickets are still available. For more information, please visit http://www.crystalpalaceusa.com or call 410.933.TEAM(8326).

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