skip navigation

Crognale Leads Trio of Orange County Loanees

By USLSoccer.com Staff, 03/16/18, 3:13PM EDT

Share

Ottawa adds two more Canadians; Roughnecks pick up SuperDraft selection

IRVINE, Calif. – Orange County SC welcomed three players on season-long loans ahead of the club’s 2018 USL season-opener on Saturday against Phoenix Rising FC, with Columbus Crew SC’s Alex Crognale, the New England Revolution’s Mark Segbers and New York City FC’s Andre Rawls all joining the club.

A Crew SC Homegrown signing, Crognale has made 19 appearances for the club, and recorded one assist during his rookie season in 2017. Prior to joining Columbus, the 6-foot-5 center back had made 73 appearances in his college career at the University Maryland, scoring 11 goals and notching three assists.

“Alex is an extremely athletic center back that will provide us the support we will need from the back,” said Orange County SC Head Coach Braeden Cloutier. “He is very strong in the air, a great passer of the ball and comes from a fantastic organization who always look to play progressive soccer.”

Segbers will enter his rookie season in Orange County after being selected ninth overall in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft by the Revolution from the University of Wisconsin. Segbers was a Second Team All-Big Ten Conference selection in his senior year, and made 77 appearances overall for the Badgers, while also competing in the Premier Development League for Chicago FC United. 

“We have tracked Mark for some time after impressing the technical staff at the 2018 MLS Combine,” said Orange County SC Assistant GM and SVP of Player Recruitment & Soccer Operations, Peter Nugent. “He is a dynamic player, who’s direct running and pace will cause opposing teams problems this year.”

Rawls brings prior USL experience to Orange County, having made 22 appearances for Wilmington Hammerheads FC during the 2015 season before making the move to NYCFC that offseason. Rawls posted a 73.6 save percentage in his previous stint in the USL, and brings a high level of potential to OCSC’s goalkeeping ranks.

“Andre has been with NYCFC for the past three seasons, a club with a technical staff that speaks very highly of him. I know they wanted to get him games and continue his development, which is great for us too,” said Cloutier. “With Frans Hoek as our technical director and our need for another quality goalkeeper to fill out our squad, it’s a win-win for both organizations.” 

MANELLA, MOHSEN JOIN FURY FC: Ottawa Fury FC announced on Friday the addition of Canadians Chris Mannella and Monti Mohsen ahead of the club’s opening game of the season against the Charlotte Independence on Saturday night.

“We are thrilled to add more talented Canadian players to the fold as we get ready for the new season,” said Fury FC General Manager Julian de Guzman. “Mannella comes with valuable experience and qualities that make him a great asset for the squad, and Monti is a young local player that has shown great promise throughout his trial. We expect great things from both of them this season.”

A former Toronto FC Homegrown signing, Mannella was loaned to Toronto FC II ahead of the club’s inaugural season in USL in 2015. He served as the side’s captain and spent two productive years with the club, featuring in 38 matches and scoring one goal. He spent the 2017 season back in League1 Ontario with Vaughan Azzurri, where he was named an All-League Second Team selection.

Mohsen was born and raised in Ottawa and developed his talents with Ottawa St. Anthony SC. He first started training with Fury FC since April, 2017, but made a name for himself at the last Canada Summer Games in Winnipeg as part of Team Ontario. That’s when the defender scored the lone goal in the men’s gold-medal final, the one that would propel his team to the top of the podium.

ROUGHNECKS INK SUPERDRAFT SELECTION: Tulsa Roughnecks FC added 2018 MLS SuperDraft selection Josh Morton on Friday, with the former University of California standout set to kick off his professional career with the Roughnecks after recommending his selection to MLS partner the Chicago Fire at January’s SuperDraft.

“Josh is a very talented and dynamic defender who can play center back as well as right back,” said Roughnecks Head Coach David Vaudreuil. “With his versatility and all around high level of play, we had recommended him to the Chicago Fire who selected him in the 2018 MLS Superdraft.”

Morton started nearly every game during his collegiate career, making 63 starts in 65 appearances. The defender finished his career at Cal with two goals and three assists and earned an honorable mention to the All-Pac-12 list after his senior season. He also played alongside former Roughneck Christian Thierjung in college.

Follow the USL Championship

Most Recent News

Most Read News

Latest Videos