Neagle is joining Sounders FC for the second time, while Carrasco was selected by Seattle with the 27th pick overall in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft.
RENTON, WASH. - The Seattle Sounders FC signed forward Lamar Neagle and midfielder Servando Carrasco, the club announced today. Per Major League Soccer and club policy, terms were not disclosed.
A Tacoma native, Neagle, 23, re-joins Sounders FC after successful stints in America and abroad during 2010. He scored 12 goals in 19 regular season matches for the Charleston Battery to earn Golden Boot and MVP honors in USL-2, the third tier of U.S. professional soccer. The Battery went on to win the 2010 USL-2 championship.
Following the season Neagle was signed by Finland's IFK Mariehamn, where he played in five leagues matches last fall scoring two goals. He returns to Seattle as a free agent.
Neagle is joining Sounders FC for the second time. He signed on June 10, 2009 but was limited to action in friendlies versus Chelsea and Barcelona. He was waived after the season and spent the 2010 preseason in training as an invitee. Neagle was a three-time Mountain Pacific Sports Federation first team selection while at UNLV. He earlier played for Federal Way's Thomas Jefferson High School.
"This is where I want to be," said Neagle. "From the start, I knew I needed more games to get better, and now I'm ready to make a difference. The biggest difference is my confidence and feeling comfortable on the field, and confidence comes from playing games and playing well."
"We welcome back Lamar," said head coach Sigi Schmid. "The year away was very beneficial to him. He's a versatile player who can play up front as well as wide midfield."
Carrasco, 22, was selected by Seattle with the 27th pick overall in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft. A defensive midfielder, Carrasco has played in all eight preseason games, starting three. He scored the winning goal in last Saturday's 1-0 win over the Chicago Fire in Bradenton, Fla.
Carrasco was born in San Diego but grew up in Tijuana, Mexico and holds dual citizenship. He played all four years at the University of California and was a three-time All-Pac-10 selection, earning first team honors in 2010. Carrasco finished his collegiate career by starting all 20 games last fall for the Bears and scoring seven goals along with three assists.
"I'm very happy to officially become a part the Sounders, and I'm excited to get this season started," said Carrasco. "We've all been working extremely hard and we've established a great foundation during this preseason, and I know this is going to be a successful season."Â
"We are excited to have Servando joining our team," said Schmid. "He's a central midfielder with good defensive tendencies who help us in our quest this year."
Sounders FC opens the 2011 MLS season on Tuesday, March 15 by hosting the L.A. Galaxy on the Xbox Pitch at Qwest Field. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. PT.
Transaction: Seattle Sounders FC (MLS) - Signed FW Lamar Neagle
Position: Forward
Height: 5-11
Weight: 165
Birthdate: 5/7/1987
Hometown (Citizenship): Federal Way, Wash. (USA)
College: UNLV
Pronunciation: NAY-gull
Transaction: Seattle Sounders FC (MLS) - Signed MF Servando Carrasco
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-10
Weight: 170
Birthdate: 8/13/1988
Hometown (Citizenship): San Diego, Calif. (USA)
College: California
High School: St. Augustine HS
