(PRESS RELEASE, Photo: SLUBillikens.com)
Michael Roach as been added to the St. Louis Ambush roster, the team announced today. Roach, a 24-year old midfielder, played most recently for the New England Revolution in MLS. The St. Louis Ambush, presented by Simmons First National Bank, are a Major Indoor Soccer League expansion franchise for the 2013-14 season. Their opening game is slated for Friday, November 22 at the Family Arena in St. Charles.
As a St. Louis native, Michael Roach played high school soccer at Chaminade, where he was part of the school’s state championship team his senior year. Roach split his collegiate career between Indiana (2007-08) and Saint Louis University (2009-11). He played his freshman season with the Hoosiers, appearing in 18 of the team’s 22 games while adding one goal and one assist. He redshirted his sophomore year at Indiana before returning home to join the St. Louis University Billikens his junior year. As a member of the Billikens, Roach scored 28 goals and 114 assists in 68 starts and was named to the Atlantic 10 second-team All-Conference. He was also awarded the Most Outstanding Player of the Atlantic 10 Conference Championship as a sophomore in 2009. Despite an injuy-ridden senior year, Roach led the Billikens in assists and was recognized as a team leader.
New England drafted Roach 60th overall in the 2012 MLS Supplemental Draft. New England’s depth at midfield prevented him from seeing much playing time. He was waived at the end of the season.
Roach continues his professional soccer career as a member of the Ambush for 2013-14. Ambush head coach Daryl Doran spoke about Roach’s signing. “Mike had an outstanding collegiate career and we welcome him to the indoor game as a member of the Ambush,” Doran said. Ambush team owner Andrew Haines said, “In building our inaugural roster for the Ambush, we’ve assembled a mix of homegrown talent and select players from other areas. I think our fans will really bond with this team.”
