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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Signing: Minnesota United FC Signs Ex-U.S. Youth National Team Left Back Tyler Polak
Washington, D.C. (Stone Sports Management, LLC) -- April 4, 2014
Stone Sports Management announces former United States Youth National Team left back Tyler Polak as Minnesota United FC's most recent signing. The Lincoln, Nebraska native returns to the Midwest after spending the last two seasons with Major League Soccer as a member of the prestigious MLS Generation adidas program and the New England Revolution. Minnesota United FC, led by Head Coach Manny Lagos, made an impressive bid to secure Polak's services as one of the top young talents in the country at the left back position.
"I am very excited to join Minnesota United FC. I had the chance to be with the club for the last few weeks, including a pre-season trip in England, and knew that this was an ideal environment for me to develop under Coach Lagos and the rest of the staff. I look forward to playing in front of the Dark Clouds and represent the club and state of Minnesota, as the club looks to reach new heights in the NASL and US Open Cup," remarked the newly signed Polak.
(Above: Tyler Polak and Minnesota United FC President Nick Rogers at the Club's offices)
Tyler will compete against last season's starter Justin Davis for the left back position for a club that has made impressive strides since new ownership took over the club including the recent pre-season tour that centered around St. George's Park.
"This was an important decision on where Tyler should continue his career. He had recently impressed on trial in Germany and in MLS, and I consistently obtained favorable feedback from veteran players on Tyler's abilities, but experience is the most critical part of his development, which I am encouraged that he will get with Minnesota United FC," says Agent Justin B. Stone. "Tyler had strong showings in every first team match in MLS, so it was important to find an environment that will push him to make his case to get on the field and show his abilities. It is an added bonus that he is already quite familiar with many of the players, including his brother Nate Polak, on an improved Minnesota United FC squad."
Polak attended Creighton University for two seasons under Head Coaches Jamie Clark and Elmar Bolowich before signing with Major League Soccer and joins a contingent of Blue Jay alumns on the Blaine, Minnesota based team. He also joins his older brother who has been with the Loons for the past two seasons after a standout career at Hastings College.
Polak also explains his happiness to be close to family and to be reunited with ex-teammates, "It truly is a great feeling to be able to play professionally with my brother Nate, knowing that my family in Nebraska is nearby. I also am happy to be reacquainted with Creighton teammates and alumns."
"I want to thank coach Lagos and the staff for bringing me in and to Owner Bill McGuire, President Nick rogers and the rest of the organization for this opportunity. Minnesota United FC is a well run organization with unbelievable potential, and I am blessed to now be a part of it. I would also like to thank my agent Justin Stone. Without his tremendous efforts I would not be a part of Minnesota United FC and be put in a position to win trophies for the club," remarked Polak.
Stone Sports Management would like to congraluate Tyler on his new club and looks forward to his on-field contributions for Minnesota United FC and off-field contributions in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area communities.
Click HERE to see Minnesota United FC's Schedule and enjoy Tyler Polak's Highlights with the New York Red Bulls and New England Revolution. Be sure to follow Tyler Polak on Twitter @TylerJohnPolak
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You may contact Justin B. Stone by phone at +001 202 712 9104 or email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Domestic Return: Ottawa Fury FC Signs Canadian National Team Defender Mason Trafford
Washington, D.C. (Stone Sports Management, LLC) -- March 17, 2014
Stone Sports Management announces the agency's fifth domestic return of the winter transfer window as 2014 NASL expansion franchise Ottawa Fury FC signs Canadian National Team defender Mason Trafford. Coach Marc Dos Santos fulfilled his need to find a starting level defender who can play multiple positions along the back line. For Trafford, it is a great opportunity to return to the North American market after playing abroad since 2010. "After spending the last four seasons abroad, I am extremely excited and honored to be returning to North America and play in my Nation's capital. I have followed the club's development over the past months, and I believe the Ottawa Fury FC is building something special in Ottawa. I am very much looking forward to being apart of that bulding process," remarked Trafford.
Trafford brings championship experience to the expansion franchise having won the 2008 USL-1 Championship with the Vancouver Whitecaps and returning to the Championship match one year later. The signing reunited Trafford with former Whitecaps' teammates Omar Jarun, Philippe Davies and Assistant Coach Martin Nash as well as Nicki Paterson who he played together at Real Maryland and at the University of Nevada Las Vegas. "It feels great to be reunited with many familiar faces who I have worked with in the past. Starting with Nicki Paterson at UNLV and also professionally with the Vancouver Whitecaps and the Canadian National Team. This will make my transition easier and expect us all to work together to bring a championship to Ottawa," reminsced Trafford.
Read more: Domestic Return: Ottawa Fury Sign Canadian NT Defender Trafford
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Carolina Railhawks Sign Striker Aaron King For Second Time
Washington, D.C. (Stone Sports Management, LLC) -- February 20, 2014
Stone Sports Management is excited to announce that former University of North Carolina State University All-American Striker Aaron King will return to the Triangle Area for his second stint with the NASL's Carolina Railhawks for the 2014 season under Head Coach Colin Clarke and Assistant Coach Dewan Bader.
(Above: Aaron King Signing His 2014 NASL Contract At His Denver, Colorado Home)
"I am really looking forward to returning to the Triangle area and contributing scoring goals for Carolina in the NASL and US Open Cup. The Railhawk's facilities, fan base and community are some of the best in the country at this level, and it is my goal to ensure that the club's winning tradition continues. I am eager to get started with my teammates and to work with two well respected caoches Coach Clarke and Coach Bader. I want to thank them, the Railhaw's Front Office and the entire organization for this opportunity," says King. "I also want to say special thanks to my agent Justin Stone for helping me grant my wish to return to the NASL where I have found my greatest success."
Read more: Domestic Return: Carolina Railhawks Sign Striker King
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Domestic Return: USL Pro Expansion Franchise OKC Energy Signs Ex-FC Porto and U20 USMNT GK Samir Badr
Washington, D.C. (Stone Sports Management, LLC) -- February 18, 2014
Stone Sports Management is pleased to announce that the OKC Energy have signed American Goalkeeper Samir Badr to a one-year contract for the USL Pro franchise's inaugural 2014 season. OKC Energy is led by recently retired Danish Goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen who Captained the 2013 MLS Cup winning side Sporting KC. OKC Energy recently unveiled its new kits and identiy, which Badr is glad to be a part of for the upcoming season.
"I am privileged and honored to have sign for OKC Energy and will prepare myself to push my teammates as much as possible to fulfill our goals for the upcoming and inaugural season. I am really excited to work under Jimmy Nielsen who has been one of the MLS Goalkeepers I have recently looked up to and know that I can learn a lot from him and the other coaches. Having a head coach who has excelled at the goalkeeping position is a rare and invaluable priviliege that I must not take for granted nor this opportunity as a whole," remarked Badr on his signing. He comments further on the opportunity and expresses gratitude, "I would like to thank the entire OKC Energy organization for having me part of this new project and also to thank my family, personal goalkeeping coach Andre Christian and my agent Justin Stone for supporting me. I cannot wait to get started and meet my new teammates and all the fans who will support us in our inaugural season!"
(Above: Samir Badr Signs His OKC Energy Contract at the Stone Sports Management Office)
Montreal Impact Name Patrice Bernier 2014 Season Captain
Washington, D.C. (Stone Sports Management, LLC) – February 13, 2014
On February 13, 2014, Montreal Impact Head Coach Frank Klopas announced his choice as the Club’s Captain for the 2014 season - Midfielder Patrice Bernier. The 34 year old becomes the Impact's 7th Captain in its history. The Montreal native is in his third season with the MLS Impact having been one of the club’s most important players on and off the field. In the Impact’s Inaugural season, the Club named him Team MVP after he scored 9 goals and added 8 Assists in 2012. Bernier followed up his impressive MLS debut season with a 2013 MLS All Star appearance where he was one of the most impactful performers against Italian Serie A club Roma.
Stone Sports Management would like to congratulate Patrice Bernier on this great recognition and to wish him and the Impact all the best in the upcoming 2014 MLS season and in the AMWAY Canadian Championship. Impact fans took to social media regarding the announcment that you can track by clicking HERE.
Click HERE to see the Montreal Impact’s Schedule and please follow Patrice Bernier @PBernier10. See below for further media regarding Bernier's appointment.
Media Summary
ImpactMontreal.com's Midfielder Patrice Bernier Named Impact Captain
http://www.impactmontreal.com/en/news/2014/02/midfielder-patrice-bernier-named-impact-captain
#CaptainBernier - The Social Media Story
http://www.impactmontreal.com/en/news/2014/02/capitainebernier-social-story
Rednation Online's Impact Name Patrice Bernier Captain by Steve Bottijer
http://www.rednationonline.ca/Articles2014/ImpactnamePatriceBernierteamcaptain.aspx
Fox Sports Inside MLS - Montreal finds its ideal captain in Patrice Bernier by Kyle McCarthy
MLSsoccer.com's A prophecy fulfilled? Montreal Impacdt's Patrice Bernier "honored" to be named Captain by Olivier Tremblay
Montreal Gazzette's Patrice Bernier named Team Captain
http://www.montrealgazette.com/sports/Patrice+Bernier+named+Impact+captain/9506066/story.html
Goal.com's The Quebec native becomes the Impacts seventh captain in it 21-year history by Nick Sabetti
Patrice Bernier Supplants Arnaud as Impact Captain
http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/patrice-bernier-supplants-arnaud-as-impact-captain-1.2536120
Blue, Blanc, Noir - Impact Montreal Marketing Campaign
Captaine Bernier re Montreal Impact Accomplishments
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Minnesota United FC Makes Impact Signing With Tiago Calvano
Washington, D.C. (Stone Sports Management, LLC) -- January 31, 2014
Stone Sports Management is pleased to announce NASL's Minnesota United FC's signing of Brazilian Defender Tiago Blanco Calvano for the 2014 Season. Minnesota United FC has made a major splash by signing Calvano as his experience in the Australian A-League, German Bundesliga, Swiss Super League and Brazilian Serie A makes his resume one of the best in the NASL. The Brazilian Defender is known to be an organizer and leader along the back line with the ability to use "Brazilian Flair" with his skills and passing.
With Calvano's contract expiring at the end of April 2014, Minnesota United FC identified Calvano as the ideal candidate to lead the club defensively in order to win the NASL Soccer Bowl held in November. With Calvano being a model professional, he and Sydney FC were able to mutually terminate his contract and part ways so that the Brazilian could start his new North American challenge in time for the pre-season.
Read more: Breaking: Minnesota Utd Signs Brazilian Defender Tiago Calvano
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Domestic Return: FC Edmonton Signs Michael Banner
Washington, D.C. (Stone Sports Management, LLC) -- January 15, 2014
Stone Sports Management is pleased to announce FC Edmonton's signing of Michael Banner to a one year contract with an option. The 29 year old Washington, DC native returns to North America after playing the last two seasons with Jaro FF in the Finnish Veikkausliiga. The versatile, left footed midfielder and defender will depart to Edmonton in early February for pre-season.
(Above: Michael Banner Signing FC Edmonton's Contract At The SSM Offices in Downtown Washington, DC)
"I am excited to return to North America, and FC Edmonton's vision rebuilding a squad that is reliant on a veteran core, along with Coach Colin Miller's coaching style and philosophy made this project one I wanted to take part," says Michael Banner from the Stone Sports Management offices. "After playing consistent minutes in Scandinavia these past two seasons, I am confident that I have returned as a stronger player compared to when I had left after five years Major League Soccer experience with the Chicago Fire."
Read more: Domestic Return: FC Edmonton Signs Michael Banner
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Domestic Return: Ottawa Fury FC Sign Omar Jarun
Washington, DC (Stone Sports Management LLC) -- January 7, 2014
Stone Sports Management is pleased to announced that 2014 NASL expansion franchise Ottawa Fury FC has signed 30 year old Palestinian-American Defender Omar Jarun to a 2-year contract with a one year option. Head Coach Marc Dos Santos will rely on Jarun to lead his backline and ultimately to the NASL Soccer Bowl where Jarun competed in a similar Finals competitions with the Atlanta Silverbacks in 2007 and Vancouver Whitecaps in 2008.
Click HERE for Ottawa Fury FC's official Press Release and also watch below Omar Jarun's welcome video.
Jarun recently made history by becoming the first Palestinian ever to sign for and play with a Belgian Jupiler League club when he inked a two year contract with RCSC Charleroi in Summer 2012 and made his debut against Gent. His American status also recognized him as just one of two Americans playing in the Belgian Jupiler League with USA International midfielder Sascha Kljestan who plays for Anderlecht SC as the other. CNNSI did a feature on Omar during Palestine's 2014 World Cup Qualifying Campaign to Brazil.