For the Reporter
The Tacoma Stars signed defender Evan McNeley to a contract for the 2016-17 Major Arena Soccer League season, the club announced Friday.
McNeley, 33, is a native of Everett and graduate of Cascade High School, where he earned All-King County selections three times and led the Bruins in goals and assists as a junior and senior.
“Evan is a veteran professional with ties to the Northwest. We are happy he wants to come home to help continue building our franchise,” Stars coach and general manager Darren Sawatzky said. “He has leadership qualities that will help our young team and he is an offensive threat while organizing from the back. He will have an immediate impact on our team.”
McNeley played collegiately for Seattle University and Oregon State University, combining for 12 goals and six assists before graduating with a degree in speech communication.
A 13-year indoor soccer veteran, McNeley has logged time in 55 games with the San Diego Sockers over the last three MASL seasons. Over that stretch he posted 43 points and 56 blocks while seeing time in eight playoff games.
Prior to his time in San Diego, McNeley won three Major Indoor Soccer League championships with the Monterrey La Raza (2009-10) and Milwaukee Wave (2011-12, 2012-13).
“After years of playing professional indoor soccer around the country, I couldn’t be happier to bring my experience back to the great state of Washington,” McNeley said.
McNeley and the Stars kick off the 2016-17 season at home on Saturday, Oct. 29 with a matchup against Soles De Sonora at the ShoWare Center.
“We are working to build a great brand in the Tacoma Stars and Evan represents another big step in that building process,” Stars owner Lane Smith said. “He has great ties to the Washington soccer community and we look forward to seeing the stands filled with excited fans ready to see fast paced soccer at the ShoWare Center. Evan is a long- time indoor professional that will add to our dynamic, local roster.”
Individual tickets for the Stars home opener are exclusively available through the Tacoma Stars Night at Cheney Stadium on Sept. 1. More information can be found at www.tacomarainiers.com/Stars.
Season ticket packages, group outings, family packs and suite offerings for the Tacoma Stars 2016-17 season are available now. To purchase, call 1-844-STARS-TIME or visit the Stars at www.tacomastars.com.
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