Three More Aztex Chosen to Close out 2015 MLS SuperDraft
Published on January 20, 2015 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Austin Aztex News Release
AUSTIN, Texas (Tuesday, January 20, 2015) - The Austin Aztex continue to produce successful alumni as three of their PDL players were drafted in the supplemental rounds of the 2015 MLS SuperDraft Tuesday afternoon. The newly-selected MLS players are defender Kalen Ryden, midfielder Tony Rocha, and midfielder Seth Casiple.
"Every MLS draft is a proud day for the Austin Aztex," Head Coach Paul Dalglish said. "We take great pride in seeing our players go on to higher levels. Whilst we can't take credit for fully developing these players, we like to think that we helped put the finishing touch to their game and helped them make their first step into the next level."
Ryden was selected 69th overall by Aztex MLS affiliate Columbus Crew SC. He was added to the Aztex squad for the 2014 season and quickly cemented himself as a pillar on the defensive front. Appearing in every game of the season, his play helped the Aztex become one of the top defensive teams in the league, allowing only 11 goals. At the end of the season, he was voted Defensive Player of the Year by his Aztex teammates. Ryden also contributed on the offensive end by tallying three goals and registering one assist. He played collegiately at Midwestern State University.
Rocha was drafted 73rd overall by Sporting Kansas City. He played three consecutive seasons for the Aztex from 2012 through 2014, scoring 10 goals and adding 10 assists in that span. He enjoyed a very successful career in the PDL while in Austin, finishing 4th in franchise career points with 27 and 3rd in minutes accrued with more than 2,900. Playing for the University of Tulsa, had seven goals and 10 assists, while helping post 14 shutouts in just his last two seasons.
Casiple was drafted by the Portland Timbers with 84th overall and final pick of the SuperDraft. He was part of the 2013 Aztex squad, appearing in five games. The midfielder holds the record for scoring the quickest goal for a player in his Aztex debut. Casiple claimed the record when he scored on a free kick attempt versus the Laredo Heat at House Park on May 25, 2013. Playing for the University of California, Casiple enjoyed a successful four-year career, where he scored 6 goals and totaled 27 assists, making it to the All-Pac 12 first team in 2014.
These three alumni help form a proud group of 13 former Austin Aztex that have been drafted by MLS teams from the team's three-year performance in the USL PDL.
The Aztex kick off their preseason versus Major League Soccer's D.C. United in the ATX Pro Challenge, a four-team tournament featuring MLS Squads D.C. United, Columbus Crew SC, and FC Dallas. For more information on the ATX Pro Challenge, visit www.austinaztex.com/atxprochallenge.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from January 20, 2015
- Three More Aztex Chosen to Close out 2015 MLS SuperDraft - Austin Aztex
- Saint Louis FC Introduces Trio of New Signings - Saint Louis FC
- Arizona United Soccer Club Re-Signs Tyler Ruthven and London Woodberry - Phoenix Rising FC
- Charleston Battery Announce Initial Nine-Match Preseason Schedule - Charleston Battery
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