Charlotte Eagles News Release -- www.charlotteeagles.com
Friday, February 15, 2013
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Charlotte Eagles are happy to announce that they have signed midfielder Drew Yates to a contract for the 2013 USL PRO Season. Yates, 24, is a product of the University of Maryland where he played in 92 games while starting 39 of them. While at Maryland he was a part of the 2008 NCAA Division I Championship team and he finished his career with 14 goals and 13 assists and received numerous honors for the Terps.
Drafted by the Chicago Fire in the second round (29th overall) of the 2010 MLS SuperDraft, Yates would go on to play for FC Tampa Bay in 2010 and went on trial with SK Sigma Olomouc of Czech First Division in January of 2011. Yates followed that up with a two-year stint with the Harrisburg City Islanders of USL PRO. While playing for the City Islanders he helped lead them to the quarterfinals of the 2012 U.S. Open Cup, knocking off two Major League Soccer sides, the New England Revolution and the New York Red Bulls, along the way. Yates played in 21 games for the City Islanders in 2012 finishing with one goal and one assist on the year.
"Our coaching staff is real excited about signing Drew Yates for this season." said Coach Mark Steffens "He is a creative midfielder that is very dangerous in the attack. I expect him to make a strong contribution this season."
Yates echoed Steffens' sentiments, "I'm very excited to be a part of the Charlotte Eagles organization and even more excited to bring Coach Steffens attacking vision to the field."
"I couldn't be more happy for him," said Yates' representative, Tony Poarch. "This partnership and similar vision between a quality attacking player that has the ability to change the game from center midfield and the Eagles organization that has it right in signing him, is a testament of good things to come. I am extremely excited for Drew Yates, the Charlotte Eagles organization, and fans that are sure to embrace him."
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