A defender who most recently suited up at the Major League Soccer level has joined the United Soccer League newcomer Tampa Bay Rowdies for the 2017 season, the club announced this week.
Luke Boden, a 28-year-old left back from Orlando City SC, was among the players to make the transition from the USL to MLS with the Lions in 2015. He has since made 45 appearances.
“He brings a great deal of experience to our side having played in so many matches at both the USL and MLS levels,” said Rowdies coach Stuart Campbell. “He’s a reliable defender with a great left foot that will bring a lot of intensity to our side.”
A native of England, Boden moved to the U.S. after coming up through Sheffield Wednesday’s academy in his home country. He’s the fifth defender added to a Rowdies roster expected to content for a USL Eastern Conference title this year.
Cincy adds trio
FC Cincinnati, which recently signed former LouCity midfielder Kadeem Dacres, added more fresh talent to its roster on Friday. Newcomers announced were Andy Craven (from Seattle Sounders FC 2), Marco Dominguez (from FC Montreal) and Aaron Walker (Icelandic first division).
“Marco is a young player who is motivated to prove himself and Andy’s abilities and competitiveness will strengthen our team in the attacking third,” said FC Cincy coach John Harkes. “We were impressed by Aaron during the Open Tryout last month and we feel are pleased that we have a player coming from our tryout for the second straight year. We think he will be a good fit.”
Cincinnati, LouCity’s River Cities Cup rival, returned the core of a first-year roster that finished third in the USL Eastern Conference before falling in the opening round of the playoffs.
Wilson returns to City Islanders
Jamaican midfielder Paul Wilson, who scored last season in LouCity’s first meeting with the Harrisburg City Islanders, will be back with the club in 2017 as he enters the second year of his contract.
After hitting the back of the net against LouCity, Wilson went on to tally, in all, 4 goals and 6 assists in 28 appearances.
“He’s the kind of guy that makes everyone around him better,” said City Islanders coach Bill Becher. “He comes to training every day to work hard and he wants to improve himself and the team. We’re excited to have Paul back.”
