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Musa Joins Rising FC

By USLSoccer.com Staff, 03/01/18, 4:45PM EST

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Bethlehem adds rookie; Independence sign two midfielders


Photo courtesy Swope Park Rangers

PHOENIX - Phoenix Rising FC announced today it has signed midfielder James Musa. The 25-year old spent last season in Major League Soccer Sporting KC after starting the season with the Swope Park Rangers. Musa started 25 games in all competitions and 2017 accolades included winning the 2017 US Open Cup, the Swope Park MVP Award, and the USL Western Conference Championship.

Over the course of his career, Musa has played professionally in Australia, New Zealand, England, and the United States. In 2015, Musa made his first USL appearance with Saint Louis FC, appearing in 54 matches over the 2015 and 2016 seasons, which included a brief spell in between seasons on loan with Team Wellington.

Internationally, Musa has appeared with the U20, U23, and senior national squads for New Zealand. Musa appeared in the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup and the 2012 Summer Olympics in addition to three caps with the senior national team, most recently in September for the OFC Final Playoff against the Solomon Islands.

CATALANO JOINS STEEL FC: Bethlehem Steel FC has signed midfielder Mike Catalano to his first professional contract, after his collegiate career at the University of Wisconsin.

Appearing in 67 matches with the Badgers, Catalano tallied 19 goals and added five assists in 6,091 minutes of collegiate soccer. In his senior season, Catalano helped Wisconsin to its first Big Ten Tournament Championship since 1995. In the NCAA Tournament, Catalano netted a two-goal performance in the Badgers Sweet 16 season finale. Catalano earned All-Big Ten accolades twice, earning second-team honors his junior season where he scored four goals and added two assists and was part of the Big Ten All-Freshman team in 2014.

The Roselle, Illinois native spent two seasons honing his craft in the Premier Development League (PDL), appearing with Reading United and Chicago FC United. Catalano appeared in two matches in 2015 with Reading, playing a total of 42 minutes. Last summer with Chicago, he appeared in 11 matches and scored two goals in 887 minutes.

ROOKIES JOIN INDEPENDENCE: The Charlotte Independence announced signing two rookie midfielders, Jake Areman and Mutaya Mwape, pending league and federation approvals.

Areman comes to the Independence having last played for Monmouth University. In two seasons with the Hawks, the Freehold, New Jersey native scored four goals and nine assists in 36 starts. In the summer of 2017, Areman played for PDL side New York Red Bulls U23.

Last season with the PDL Champion Charlotte Eagles, Mwape appeared in 12 games recording 879 minutes played and two goals. In two seasons at Lindsey Wilson College, the Zambia native scored 25 goals with 19 assists on his way to a  2017 NAIA First Team All-American selection as a sophomore.

Both Areman and Mwape have been on trial with the Independence since the beginning of preseason and have seen significant playing time in both preseason games.

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