Stone Sports Management is pleased to announce that Tyler Polak is part of 2016 USL Expansion Franchise FC Cincinnati's first signings. The 23 year-old Lincoln, Nebraska native joins former US National Team Captain John Harkes' club after spending two years with NASL's Minnesota United FC where he helped the club to the 2014 NASL Spring Title and Regular Season Championship. Polak is expected to start along side Cincinnati native and 2012 MLS Rookie of the Year Austin Berry as well as in front of Minnesota United FC teammate Mitch Hildenbrandt.
"After speaking with John Harkes and [Assistant Coach] Ryan Martin, this project immediately felt like the right fit for me to further my career on and off the field," said Polak. Their enthusiasm and experiencing developing players coupled with staying in the Midwest is really motivating and cannot wait to get started in January."
Despite having multiple clubs make bids to have Polak come on loan at the start of the 2015 season, he remained with Minnesota United and pushed left back Justin Davis to have another outstanding season. Polak would feature in two matches (one in US Open Cup and in the NASL Regular Season) and had an strong match against LIga MX side Club Leon during a summer friendly. The opportunity to begin a new chapter with FC Cincinnati will give Polak the platform to develop into one of the USL's top left backs, and with still being 24, is still considered a younger player by MLS standards. A strong season in USL will provide him the opportunity to return to MLS where he was drafted by the New England Revolution out of Creighton University.
"I would like to thank Coach Harkes and Assistant Coach Ryan Martin for their due dilligence in courting Tyler to Ohio and be a part of this gret project," remarked Stone Sports Management's President and Players' Agent Justin B. Stone. "FC Cincinnati has an incredible vision and already showing they will be competing for a championship in its inaugural season. Tyler has played for one of the best NASL clubs these past two years and pushed NASL Best XI Justin Davis, so I expect him to grow under Coach Harkes and Martin with increased playing time."
FC Cincinnati's schedule will be released in January where they will start away from home while ren,novations are completed at University of Cincinnati's Nippert Stadium. The club has already secured impressive sponsorship and season ticket sales, including Toyota as main jersey sponsor and NIKE as its official brand. Please enjoy video from today's Press Conference (Tyler Polak's Introduction begins at 23:05) as well as 2015 video against Liga MX side Club Leon. Please also be sure to follow Tyler Polak on Twitter @TylerJohnPolak. Congratulations Tyler!