Sounders FC U23 News Release -- www.soundersu23.com
Thursday, April 19, 2012
TACOMA, Wash. – The Sounders U23 continue to construct their roster for the 2012 PDL Season with the signing of Aodhan Quinn from the University of Akron, Anthony Arena from Wake Forest University, and local talent from Puyallup, Wash., Mark Lee.
The three signings add elite level talent to the Sounders U23. Quinn and Arena are integral parts of national soccer powerhouses; Akron and Wake Forest. Lee comes to the Sounders U23 after a PDL National Championship with the Kitsap Pumas and discussions with various MLS clubs.
Quinn’s Akron Zips were eliminated from the 2011 NCAA Tournament in the Third Round. Their 1-0 loss came to UNC-Charlotte, which was the eventual NCAA runner-up. Quinn’s three goals and 10 assists earned him All-MAC First Team honors. His 10 assists on the season ranked eighth nationally. The midfielder from San Diego, Calif. had a streak during the 2011 campaign when he scored at least one point in five straight matches.
"Aodhan Quinn comes from a soccer family and he plays at the highest level of college soccer at Akron,” Sounders U23 Head Coach, Darren Sawatzky said. “He will give us options in the midfield as we look to play attractive soccer."
The soccer lineage that Coach Sawatzky refers to is Brian Quinn, Aodhan’s father. Brian Quinn played in the English Premier League during the 1980’s and with the U.S. National Team from 1991-94.
Arena adds a defensive presence to the 2012 Sounders U23 side. Arena, a Puget Sound native, played his high school soccer at Inglemoor High School. Before Wake Forest, Arena played for the U-18 and U-20 U.S. National Teams.
“My experiences with the U.S. U-20s were unbelievable," Arena said. "I was in a camp in Florida… and we played Guatemala two times. The other camp was in Madrid, Spain. Just being invited to these camps showed that my hard work for my club team and the U.S. U-18s paid off.”
Arena played 17 matches for Wake Forest in 2011 including all three of their postseason contests.
"Anthony is a true competitor who always finds himself on winning teams," Sawatzky said. "He is a solid defender and leader and we expect his leadership and skill to help lead our new team in the Northwest Division."
Lee adds veteran leadership and experience to the Sounders U23. Lee has played in the Premier Development League since 2007. The defender was an All-Northwest Division selection and helped lead his team to the Western Conference Championship in 2008. Lee has spent the last three seasons playing professionally for the Kitsap Pumas.
"Mark Lee represents a local soccer product with a winning pedigree,” Sawatzky said. “He was an important part of the PDL Championship team last year and he has entrenched himself in the soccer community. We are excited to have Mark onboard.”
The Sounders U23 are now offering scarves with the purchase of a 2012 Season Ticket on SoundersU23.com. Also, kids can learn from the Sounders with the Sounders U23 Goal Scoring Pregame Clinics. See SoundersU23.com for details.