Tacoma Stars Release Schedule, Sign Former Sounders Leighton O'Brien and Kevin Sakuda

October 20, 2011 - Professional Arena Soccer League (PASL)
Tacoma Stars News Release


The Tacoma Stars of the Professional Arena Soccer League have announced the signings of player/head coach Leighton O'Brien and defender Kevin Sakuda. Former teammates, they were both major contributors to the Seattle Sounders 2005 and 2007 USL Championship seasons. They will look to rekindle that connection with the indoor Stars when they open their season on November 4th against the Turlock Express.

O'Brien, 35, is most often known for his 10 year professional outdoor career, in which he played in the MLS, the Swedish 2nd Division, and with the USL Sounders, where he helped his hometown team to USL Championships in 2005 and 2007. He also has considerable professional indoor experience from a season with the Sacramento Knights of the WISL, two seasons with the Milwaukee Wave of the MISL, and the past three seasons with the Stars in the PASL.

Although they've never played together indoors, O'Brien is looking forward to playing again with Sakuda.

"It's been great to get on the field again with Kevin," said O'Brien. "He brings a lot of experience and confidence to our team, and he's going to help us push towards the top of the Western Conference."

Sakuda is well known for his time with the USL Sounders, where he played more games than any other Sounder from 2003-2008, but he also has extensive professional indoor experience from his three years with the San Diego Sockers, Tacoma's biggest PASL Western Division rival.

"It's good to be back playing indoor again. I'm excited to be back on the field with some ex-teammates from the USL Sounders and I feel like we have a very good team put together," said Sakuda, 31, who retired from outdoor soccer after captaining the Austin Aztex of the USL the past two seasons.

Sakuda is also excited to reconnect with O'Brien on the field, after they found so much success together with the USL Sounders.

"I've got the utmost respect for Leighton as a player. I've played with a lot of good players in my career and he's one of the top two or three guys I've ever played with," said Sakuda.

The Tacoma Stars play in the Western Division of the Professional Arena Soccer League and open their season Nov 4 in Turlock, CA against the Turlock Express. The Stars open their home campaign on December 3 against the Phoenix Monsoon at their new home for 2011/2012, Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila.



Professional Arena Soccer League Stories from October 20, 2011


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