skip navigation

Rudolph Makes Return to Saint Louis

By USLSoccer.com Staff, 05/22/18, 1:27PM EDT

Share

Reno signs Quakes Academy standout; Lights FC adds experience across squad


Photo courtesy Mark Guthrel / Saint Louis FC

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Saint Louis FC announced on Monday the club had re-signed forward Seth Rudolph for the remainder of the 2018 season, pending league and federation approval.

Rudolph notched nine goals in 31 games for Saint Louis over the course of the 2016 and 2017 USL seasons, including seven of those goals coming during the 2017 campaign where he finished as the team’s second-leading scorer.

“I’m delighted to have signed Seth,” said STLFC Head Coach Anthony Pulis. “He gives us good pace, has a good goal-scoring record, and his signing fills a position we’ve been actively looking to fill with recent injuries. Seth also fits the criteria of the culture we have here—he’s a great person with good values and work ethic—and we’re really excited to have him join the group.”

“I’m very excited to be back,” said Rudolph. “I can’t wait to step back on the pitch with such a talented group of guys and get back to work.”

RENO SIGNS QUAKES ACADEMY STANDOUT: Reno 1868 FC announced on Monday it had signed 19-year-old midfielder Ivan Valencia to the 2018 roster. Valencia is a product of the San Jose Earthquakes Academy and signed his first professional contract with Reno on Monday.

“We’re really excited to sign Ivan, who’s been a key part of the Earthquakes youth academy,” said Reno Head Coach Ian Russell. “He’s a technical, hard worker and has shown that over the past few years both with San Jose and when he’s been down here in Reno training with us. It’s nice to see his hard work lead to a position with our team.”

Valencia, a native of Guadalajara, Mexico, has been one of the premier academy players in Major League Soccer. Primarily playing defensive midfielder, Valencia can play both holding and attacking midfield positions.

“I’m very excited to get this opportunity and it’s something I’ve always dreamed of,” Valencia said. “I feel like the relationship between and Reno and San Jose has helped me develop, especially practicing with [1868 FC’s] first team.

“Last year I came to Reno for a week and really liked it. So that’s why I made my decision to come here and develop as a player.”

LIGHTS FC ADDS EXPERIENCE: Las Vegas Lights FC announced on Monday the addition of forward Daniel Guzmán Jr., midfielder Eric Avila and defender Rodrigo Iñigo, with the signings of Guzmán Jr. and Iñigo both pending receipt of each player’s International Transfer Certificate.

Avila most recently played for Phoenix Rising FC a season ago, where he recorded 11 appearances and one goal in his time at the club. Guzmán Jr. arrives from Suchitepéquez of Guatemala’s Liga Nacional, where he scored 10 goals in 17 appearances for the club in 2017, while Iñigo brings experience from both Liga MX and Ascenso MX, having played for Club America for eight years after turning pro out of the club’s academy.

Iñigo previously played for current Lights FC Technical Director Juan Solis Sanchez Sola at Venados in Ascenso MX, where the veteran defender made 34 appearances.

“He’s a leader, a very experienced player,” said Lights FC Head Coach Isidro Sanchez of Iñigo. “We know what we are looking for from him. He knows our philosophy, and he’s a major player. He has consistency and knows how to maintain an ultimate level.”

Follow the USL Championship

Most Recent News

Most Read News

Latest Videos