Arizona United Soccer Club signs Ruthven and Okafor

PEORIA, Ariz. (Wednesday April 9, 2014) – Arizona United Soccer Club – Arizona’s only professional soccer team playing in the USL PRO league – is pleased to announce the signings of defender Tyler Ruthven and midfielder Jon Okafor for the upcoming season, pending league and U.S. Soccer Federation approval. Ruthven, 25, joins Arizona United after plying his trade for two European clubs in 2013. Ruthven joined Swedish club IK Brage in March and logged more than 800 minutes in 12 league appearances before he joined Finnish club KuPS during the summer window. Ruthven started in all seven league matches he appeared in and helped KuPS to a runner-up finish in the Suomen Cup.

“Tyler is a hard-nosed defender who brings a level of intensity to our team,” Arizona United head coach Michael Dellorusso said. “He is a great natural leader with tremendous upside.” Hailing from Alpharetta, Ga., Ruthven turned professional in 2010 when he signed with the Harrisburg City Islanders. Ruthven appeared in eight league matches and scored one goal for the Islanders. He signed with the North American Soccer League’s Atlanta Silverbacks in 2011 and amassed more than 2,000 minutes in 27 league appearances. Ruthven moved to the top division in North America when he signed with the New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer in 2012. During his time with the Red Bulls he appeared in five league matches.

Ruthven began his collegiate career in 2006 at the University of San Francisco, and then transferred to the University of South Carolina the following year. During his senior season, Ruthven was a First-Team All-Conference USA honoree and was named to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Third Team. During his college years, Ruthven played for the USL Premier Development League’s Colorado Rapids U-23s in 2008 and the Chicago Fire Premier in 2009.

Okafor, 24, heads to the desert after recently completing his first professional season. The Verona, N.J., native signed with the Finnish club MYPA in February 2013 and scored two goals in 31 league matches. Okafor played collegiately at Brown University from 2007-10 and recorded 14 goals and 12 assists in 64 matches. He also appeared in four matches for the USL Premier Development League’s Central Jersey Spartans in 2010. Okafor was originally selected with the 40th overall pick by Chivas USA in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft.

With the signing of these two players, Arizona United SC now has 16 players on the roster for the upcoming season. Earlier this week the club announced the signings of goalkeeper Michael D’Arrigo and Evan Newton; defenders London Woodberry, Joseph Toby, Daniel Antúnez and Scott Morrison; midfielders Matt Kassel, Charles Renken and Widner Saint Cyr; and forwards Brad Stisser, Bradlee Baladez, Brandon Swartzendruber and Kadeem Dacres. Forward Jonathan Top has joined the club on loan from FC Dallas.

Arizona United SC will make its USL PRO debut at home on Saturday at the Peoria Sports Complex against the expansion Oklahoma City Energy Football Club. Gates will open at 5:30 p.m.with the match scheduled to kick off at 7 p.m.

Full Name: Tyler Ruthven
Alpharetta, Ga.
Defender
Former club: KuPS
Country: USA

Full Name: Jon Okafor
Verona, N.J.
Midfielder
Date of Birth: Aug. 25, 1989
Former club: MYPA
Country: USA

For more information regarding Arizona United SC or to purchase tickets visit online at www.arizonaunited.com. Fans and media can also follow the team on Facebook www.facebook.com/ArizonaUnitedSoccer or Twitter @AZUnitedSC