SEATTLE, WASH. - Seattle Sounders FC 2 has signed defender Nick Miele and forward Qudus Lawal, the club announced today. Miele (pronounced me-ELL-ee) is a graduate of University of New Mexico, where he played four years of NCAA soccer. Lawal (pronounced KOO-dus luh-WALL) most recently played for the Chicago Fire Reserves of the USL Premier Development League. Per club and league policy, terms of the deals are not being disclosed.
Miele, 22, played every minute of his senior season for the Lobos in 2014. He scored his first career collegiate goal against Drexel on September 19, 2014, and was named Second Team All-Conference USA. He was also named a Conference USA All-Academic and CoSIDA Academic All-District selection.
“It has been an incredible experience the past three weeks through the trial period,” said Miele. “I am ecstatic to be with the Sounders. The fans have been incredible and just seeing the support the First Team gets, I can’t wait to get the season started.”
Miele helped the Lobos post eight shutouts and a 0.88 goal against average as starting centerback in 2014. He was part of a senior class that recorded 60 career wins, one shy of the school record. In high school, the Albuquerque native helped his alma mater St. Pius X to state titles in 2007 and 2008.
“We saw Nick at our combine and kept an eye on him for quite a while. He has done really well for us in preseason so far,” said S2 Head Coach Ezra Hendrickson. “We think he is a player that could develop really well for us and be a great centerback for our organization in the future.”
Lawal, 19, was a standout from the Sounders FC 2 Las Vegas Open Tryout held in December. He scored the winning goal in the invitation-only game, and was asked join the team in preseason on trial. The Nigerian spent the 2014 season playing for the Chicago Fire Reserves in the PDL.
“It feels so good to sign my first professional contract with the Sounders,” said Lawal. “As a rookie, these guys have pushed me to work hard and I am very comfortable with the team so far.”
In preseason play, Lawal scored one goal in a 4-3 loss against Whitecaps FC 2.
“Qudus is a young, very strong player with an incredibly powerful shot,” said Hendrickson. “We see a very bright future for him, and we look forward to working on his technical ability and we see him being a big part of this organization for years to come.”
S2 opens its inaugural USL campaign this weekend against defending USL champion Sacramento Republic FC on March 21 at 7:30 p.m. PT. Members of the media interested in attending the inaugural match should contact Branden Griffith [BrandenG@SoundersFC.com].
Tickets to that match, as well as season ticket options – including all 14 regular season, post-season and S2 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup games – are available via sndrs.com/ut4w.
Transactions: Seattle Sounders FC 2 signs defender Nick Miele and forward Qudus Lawal on March 18, 2015.
Name: Nick Miele
Pronunciation: me-ELL-ee
Position: Defender
Height: 6-4
Weight: 190
Born: December 22, 1992, in Albuquerque, New Mexico
Citizenship: United States
Acquired: Signed to S2 roster on March 18, 2015
Previous Experience: University of New Mexico (2011-2014)
Name: Qudus Lawal
Pronunciation: KOO-dus luh-WALL
Position: Forward
Height: 5-10
Weight: 170
Born: September 4, in 1995, Nigeria
Citizenship: Nigeria
Acquired: Signed to S2 roster on March 18, 2015
Previous Experience: Chicago Fire Reserves (2014)
