Saint Louis FC announced the signings of defenders Mitchell Lurie and Jake Bond today. The current roster of signed players now stands at 22.
Mitchell Lurie was drafted by the Philadelphia Union with the 44th pick in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft. The defender out of Rutgers started all 21 games for the Scarlet Knights in 2015 and assisted on six goals. Prior to his senior season at Rutgers, Lurie spent his junior season at Louisville and his freshman and sophomore seasons at Portland. At Portland, Lurie played 31 games, scored three goals and had two assists. Additionally, Lurie suited up for the U18 US team in 2011.
Lurie caught the eye of the STLFC coaching staff during the MLS combine as a versatile defender, which was later confirmed to them during the club’s preseason camp in Charleston, South Carolina. “Mitch is versatile in that he can play as a left back or center back. He has very good range of movement and passing and his best attribute is the fluid way he covers ground.” said Schilly. “He has a future as a professional, but he has to commit himself to training as if his job is on the line every day. I expect a lot of Mitch. When he gets his chance, he will have to make the most of it.”
Bond, originally from O’Fallon, Missouri played his high school soccer at Christian Brothers College High School and played four years collegiately at Quincy University where he started 55 of 66 contests. Graduating in 2014, Bond accumulated 13 assists and three goals in his time with the Hawks. Bond joined Saint Louis FC as a trialist last summer and continued to develop his game with PDL side Kitsap SC in 2015 before earning a spot on the roster after the most recent trialist session this past winter.
“Jake is a great success story and an example for every young player in the community.” said Head Coach Dale Schilly. “He is a steady, consistent outside back who defends first, is solid in the air and brings quality when we are in possession, whether in the build up or entering the final third. It is a tough back four to break into. He has the quality to break through, but he has his work cut out for him.”
