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USL Charlotte Independence

Three More Players Sign Contracts with Independence

March 23, 2015 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Charlotte Independence News Release


CHARLOTTE, N.C. (March 23, 2015) - The Charlotte Independence today announced the signing of three additional players, bringing the USL expansion team's roster to 13. Forwards Jack Thompson and Daniel Jackson, as well as goalkeeper Erich Marscheider, have agreed to terms and will continue with the Independence through the 2015 season.

"These three signings are exciting prospects, exactly the type of player the USL is designed to develop," said Independence Head Coach Mike Jeffries. "Though they are at the early stages of their careers, they compete well with the group every day and I expect strong contributions from them during the year."

Thompson, who checks in at 5'9 and 150 lbs, is a 2014 graduate of Messiah College. He appeared in 20 games his senior season, recording 10 goals and 13 assists. The Falcons won the Commonwealth Championships that year, but fell to Tufts University 1-0 in the Division III NCAA Tournament. Thompson was named a Third-Team All American at the end of the year. As a junior, the forward started 23 games, scoring five goals and finishing fourth in Division III with 17 assists. He was named First Team All- Conference, Second Team All-Region, as well as Outstanding Offensive Player for the NCAA Tournament.

In 2012, Thompson led the Falcons with 12 assists, was second with 85 shots and converted 10 of those shots into goals. He was named First Team All-Region, First Team All-Conference and was selected to the All-Tournament Team. Thompson also appeared in 20 games as a freshman, tallying 10 goals and eight assists en route to being named the Commonwealth Rookie of the Year, Third Team All-Regional and First Team All-Commonwealth.

"Thompson is an intense competitor and very effective wide with strong 1 v. 1 ability, as well as being a good crosser of the ball," said Jeffries.

Jackson joins the Independence after spending the 2014 season with NASL side the Carolina RailHawks, where he appeared in 16 games and scored two goals. Following the completion of his collegiate career at Coker College in South Carolina, Jackson became the school's first soccer player to be drafted professionally, as Real Salt Lake selected him in the fourth round (70th overall) of the 2014 MLS SuperDraft. A transfer from Cumberland University, Jackson scored 19 goals in his two seasons as a Cobra, five of which were game winners. In 2013 he was named Third Team All-Southeast Region, Second Team Daktronics All-Southeast Region and Third Team All-South Atlantic Conference.

While at college, Jackson also played for PDL clubs the Kalamazoo Outrage and FC JAX Destroyers, as well as NPSL club DC United U-23.

"Jackson provides pace and can play anywhere along the frontline with a history of scoring goals," said Jeffries.

Marscheider is a 6'3 goalkeeper who has served as a back up for the Houston Dynamo of MLS since 2012. Born in Vienna, Austria, Marscheider moved to Colorado Springs at a young age and began his training. The 22 year old played three-and-a-half years for the Colorado Rush Soccer Club and in 2011 was awarded the Golden Gloves as the club's top goalkeeper. In lieu of attending college, Marscheider opted to sign a contract with the MLS following high school. "Marscheider provides depth in the goalkeeper position and has the experience of being in a professional environment with the Dynamo," said Jeffries.

Independence General Manager Tom Engstrom is pleased with how the club's roster-building process is coming along. "Our coaching staff has done a great job in selecting players for the squad," he said. "We feel very good about the group assembled thus far."

Th Independence will make its USL debut at home against local rival the Charleston Battery on Friday, March 27. The match will begin at 7:30pm on UNC-Charlotte's Transamerica Field.

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