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USL Richmond Kickers

Vercollone, Taylor Return to Richmond

January 30, 2014 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Richmond Kickers News Release


RICHMOND, VA - (Thursday, January 30, 2014) - The Richmond Kickers are pleased to announce that veteran midfielder Luke Vercollone and homegrown goalkeeper Ryan Taylor have re-signed for the 2014 season, pending USSF approval.

After spending the offseason training with the Colorado Rapids, Vercollone returns to Richmond for his seventh season. Splitting time between the defense and the midfield, the 2013 Supporter's Choice MVP has made 155 appearances and accumulated nearly 13,000 minutes in Richmond while tallying 11 goals and 11 assists. Additionally, he is the founder and director of the Richmond Kickers Little Kicks program, which brings a soccer enrichment program to preschools.

"Luke leads by example as one of the first to arrive on the training ground and usually one of the last to leave," commented Leigh Cowlishaw, Richmond Kickers Director of Soccer. "His work ethic, tenacity and overall desire to succeed elevates everyone around him. Once we realized Luke was considering playing one more season we knew we had to bring him back to Richmond."

Prior to signing with Richmond, Vercollone spent two seasons with the Charleston Battery, where he made 66 appearances, notching three goals and six assists for 12 points overall. The 5'10" midfielder began his career when he was drafted by the Columbus Crew in the 2004 MLS Super Draft and made five appearances over two seasons with the New England Revolution later that season.

Taylor made his professional debut during the 2013 USL PRO Regular Season Championship season when he backstopped the Kickers to a 2-2 draw in Phoenix.

"We are delighted that Ryan has agreed to return to the Kickers," said Cowlishaw. "Ryan impressed us all throughout his rookie season and we recognize that we have signed a confident, motivated goalkeeper with all the attributes needed to be a top class goalkeeper in USL PRO."

Taylor finished his collegiate career at Radford University with the third-lowest goals against average in the Big South at 0.99 after playing every minute of Radford's 18 games his senior year, earning All-Academic Team, 2012 NSCAA All-South Regional Second Team and Big South All-Conference Team honors. The Midlothian, VA native played club soccer at FC Richmond and was selected First Team All-Dominion District, Second Team All-Central Region and All-Metro as a senior at Midlothian High School.

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