Orlando City U23s News Release -- www.orlandocitysoccer.com
Thursday, February 2, 2012
ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando City Soccer Club announced today the signing of midfielder Joseph Toby to the club’s USL PDL side, pending USSF approval. Toby was recently named to the Division II Daktronics All-America First Team.
The second signing by the Orlando City U23s, Toby was recently named to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America’s (NSCAA) Division II All-Southeast Region First Team. It is the second time in as many years he has received the award. Toby, a midfielder, started in 22 of the 23 matches he played in at Flagler in 2011. He tied for the team lead with 11 goals along with eight assists for a team-high 30 points in last season.
As a freshman at Flagler, he was named Peach Belt Conference Freshman of the Year after scoring four goals and totaling six assists. Originally from Freetown, Sierra Leone, Toby came over to the United States to escape civil war that broke out in 1991 when he was just 2 years old.
Toby already has experience at the PDL level, spending time with the FC Jax Destroyers while attending Flagler. He scored one goal and registered one assist for the Destroyers in seven appearances in 2011. Toby has also spent time with the Central Florida Kraze in previous PDL seasons.
Orlando City U23 Head Coach Joe Avallone knows that signing Toby, along with the addition of midfielder Jonathan Mendoza, will bring about a strong midfield that has the ability to score at any time.
“Joseph was a kid we targeted in the offseason,” said Avallone. “He is a hard-worker and will fit right into our system.”