Sounders FC U23 News Release -- www.soundersu23.com
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
TACOMA, Wash. – The Sounders FC U23 have announced the signing of five players who currently play for the University of Washington. Defenders Taylor Peay, Mike Uyehara and Chris Brundage will offer defensive options for the Sounders U23, while Ryan Herman, a transfer from Santa Clara, will work for time behind them in net. The fifth signing, Bradley McIntosh, is a recent transfer from UCLA. McIntosh was a midfield standout growing up in Redmond, Wash.
“We are very excited to have players from the University of Washington roster on our team," Sounders U23 Head Coach Darren Sawatzky said. "Jamie [Clark] is building for the fall and we are excited to continue the hard work these boys have done this summer.”
The Huskies posted a solid 2011 season full of achievement and improvement under new head coach Jamie Clark. The Huskies finished the season 12-4-2 overall and 7-3-0 in the conference, a one game improvement on their overall record from last season. They finished second in the conference behind UCLA.
The Huskies recorded eight shutouts in 2011, with Peay and Brundage a solid part of the UW defense. Peay, from Salt Lake City, Utah, played in 17 matches as a freshman for Washington. Last season, in his sophomore campaign, he appeared in 11 games including a game against Loyola Chicago when the Huskies didn’t allow a single shot.
“Taylor is a physical specimen and he is looking to take his game to the next level," Sawatzky said. "It will be great to see him compete in the PDL Northwest Division against some of the best attackers in the league.”
Brundage started his career at Western Washington University. At Western, Brundage was GNAC Co-Freshman of the Year. After transferring to UW, he started 12 matches in his sophomore season. Last year, as a junior, he played in 15 of the Huskies’ 18 games. Brundage is a Gig Harbor native.
“Brundage has had a strong year at the UW and we see him continuing that this summer. He is a local player and we look forward to connecting him with the community so they come watch a local product,” said Sawatzky.
Uyehara is another transfer to the Huskies. Uyehara played his freshman season for Navy. He started every match for Navy and scored two goals. Midway through his first season with Navy, he was moved into defense.
Uyehara played his club soccer in Southern California for SoCal United. His youth team won three U.S. National Championships. The Californian sat out the 2011 UW campaign in compliance with NCAA transfer regulations.
“Michael represents a pit bull at the back and he has a solid engine," Sawatzky said. "His experience will help as our team competes in this division.”
Herman was a member of the U-18 U.S. National Team, a consensus high school All-American, and earned numerous All-State and All-American honors. The 6-foot-7 goalkeeper transferred to the University of Washington from Santa Clara during the offseason.
"He has a great combination of size, athleticism and soft hands," Clark said. "His experience with both the Sounders and the youth national teams has given him the experience to be ready to help us when called upon."
Herman played with the U-18 U.S. National Team against Bolivia, Chile, and the Argentinos Juniors, among others. He graduated from high school early, allowing him to gain valuable experience training with the Sounders before heading to college.
McIntosh also graduated high school early to begin training with UCLA. The 6-foot-5 midfielder was forced to miss the 2011 season for UCLA due to injury. After one season in California, he transferred to Washington in January.
“Bradley is a player we know well and are excited to have onboard. His size and soccer savvy will fit well into the style of play we look to incorporate,” Sawatzky said.
The newly signed Sounders will fully join the Sounders U23 after their final spring season match on May 4. The U23’s will kick off the 2012 PDL Season on May 11 in Canada against the Victoria Highlanders. After two more road matches, the Sounders U23 will player their first PDL Home Opener on May 25 against Victoria. The match will kick off at 7:30 p.m. at Franklin Pierce High School. See SoundersU23.com for more details.