Orlando City News Release -- www.orlandocitysoccer.com
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Orlando City Soccer Club announced on Wednesday the signing of former Major League Soccer(MLS) Striker Corey Hertzog for the 2014 USL PRO season, pending USSF approval.
“We were in need of another striker, as we only have Chinny (Dennis Chin) at this moment in time, and Corey is somebody we know all about,” said Head Coach Adrian Heath. “He scored a hat trick against us in 2012 and everyone we spoke to in Vancouver were really complimentary of not only his attitude, but they also think that he has the potential of becoming an MLS player so we’re looking forward to working with him this year .”
At only 23 years old, Hertzog has already made his way onto two MLS sides prior to joining Orlando. After a stellar career at Penn State University and for Reading United AC in the PDL, which saw the Reading, Pa. native forgo his senior season, Hertzog signed a Generation adidas contract and was drafted 13th overall in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft by the New York Red Bulls.
Hertzog made his professional debut for the Red Bulls on March 26, 2011 in a 0-0 draw against Columbus Crew. The Striker’s first professional goal and start would occur simultaneously in a 2-1 victory over former USL PRO side, FC New York, in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
After his rookie season with the New York Red Bulls, Hertzog would go on loan to the Wilmington Hammerheads in USL PRO. In 17 appearances with the North Carolina-based side, Hertzog found the back of the net nine times, ending the 2012 season as one of the league’s top scorers. Hertzog was named to the All-League First Team, and was a finalist for the league's Most Valuable Player award.
After spending two seasons as a member of the Red Bulls, Hertzog went on to sign for his second MLS team, the Vancouver Whitecaps. Hertzog scored one goal in seven appearances for the Whitecaps. Now he joins Dennis Chin as the only two strikers currently on Heath’s 2014 roster, and is amongst the myriad of signings coordinated by Heath in the past month.