Arizona United SC News Release -- www.arizonaunited.com
Monday, April 7, 2014
PEORIA, Ariz. – The first two players signed to USL PRO's Arizona United Soccer Club are forwards Brad Stisser and Brandon Swartzendruber, pending league and USSF approval.
Stisser joins United having competed for the Atlanta Silverbacks in the 2013 season. Stisser scored two goals and logged 821 minutes in 18 league appearances as he helped the Silverbacks reach the league championship game.
“I’m just really excited and I’m looking forward to the game this Saturday,” Stisser said. “I think the organization has done a really good job with the squad they have put together and it should be a fun year.”
A four-year professional, Stisser first turned pro in 2010 when he signed with AC St. Louis of the USSF Division 2 Pro League. Stisser enjoyed a productive season for AC St. Louis where he notched five goals in 24 league appearances. In 2011, Stisser appeared in three matches for the Rochester Rhinos before he moved over to the Charlotte Eagles in the 2012 season, where he appeared in 10 matches.
Stisser grew up in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, and played collegiately for Coastal Carolina in 2005 before he transferred to Loyola Marymount for the remainder of his collegiate career. During his college years, Stisser played in the PDL for the Colorado Rapids U-23 from 2007-08 and was named to the PDL All-Western Conference Team in 2009 after playing a lone season for the Real Colorado Foxes.
Swartzendruber, who played at Chandler-Gilbert Community College from 2003-04, joins Arizona United SC after playing for the Dayton Dutch Lions in the 2013 USL PRO season. In his lone season for the Dutch Lions, Swartzendruber scored six goals in 25 league appearances. Swartzendruber first turned pro in 2009 when he signed with the Harrisburg City Islanders where he appeared in 18 league matches and scored four goals.
Collegiately, Swartzendruber scored 38 goals, notched 16 assists and was a two-time First Team All-Region I and Second Team All-American in his two years at Chandler-Gilbert. He then transferred to Midwestern State University, where he scored 26 goals and recorded 18 assists from 2005-06. In his final season, he was named to the First Team All-Southwest South Conference, All-Midwest Region First Team and was named Southwest South Conference Offensive Player of the Year.
During his college career, Swartzendruber played in the PDL for the Thunder Bay Chill from 2007-08. In his two seasons for the Chill, Swartzendruber scored 29 goals and helped the Thunder Bay Chill win the 2008 PDL Championship.
“I’m really excited about it,” Swartzendruber said. “I think we have a great group of guys and a great coach. They pulled it together really quick, but I think we will be competitive in the league.”
Arizona United SC will make its inaugural USL PRO debut at home on Saturday, April 12th at the Peoria Sports Complex against expansion side Oklahoma City Energy. Gates to Peoria Sports Complex will open at 6 p.m. with the match slated to kick off at 7:10 p.m.
For more information regarding Arizona United SC or to purchase tickets visit online at www.arizonaunited.com. Fans and media can also follow the team on Facebook www.facebook.com/ArizonaUnitedSoccer or Twitter (@AZUnitedSC).