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STLFC’s Stanley Ready for Personal Home Finale

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 07/20/18, 8:58AM EDT

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Standout Academy signing looking to end on high before heading to Duke University


United States U20 international Aedan Stanley is set to make his final appearance for Saint Louis FC this Saturday before enrolling at Duke University. | Photo courtesy Mark Guthrel / Saint Louis FC

FENTON, Mo. – Saint Louis FC defender Aedan Stanley knew the day would arrive eventually, but this Saturday as his side faces a key game against Orange County SC at Toyota Stadium – Saint Louis (8:30 p.m. ET | Match Center | ESPN+) it is also likely to be his final game in the club’s uniform, at least for the time being.

The U.S. U20 international has been an Academy signing for STLFC this season, making 11 appearances in 2018 after having made his debut for the club in the 2016 season, but is soon set to enroll at Duke University to begin his collegiate career after a final game in front of his hometown crowd.

“I feel like it will be very bittersweet to play a game at home in front of all our fans and then begin the next chapter of my life away at Duke [University],” said Stanley. “I just got done with a U20 USMNT camp for the last four days so it’s definitely been a whirlwind but I’m looking forward to playing at home one more time before focusing on my collegiate career.”

The 18-year-old graduate of the St. Louis Scott Gallagher Academy is following a handful of notable USL players who competed in the league as Academy signings before their college and professional careers. Among those in the past to take the opportunity to compete at a professional level without impinging their college eligibility are current New York Red Bulls forward Derrick Etienne Jr., who had three goals in 14 appearances for the Red Bulls II in the 2015 season before enrolling at the University of Virginia.

Current Seattle Sounders FC 2 defender Nick Hinds did the same, making eight appearances for S2 before competing collegiately at the University of Akron. After playing two seasons for the Zips, Hinds signed professionally with S2 prior to this season and has made 13 appearances so far this season.

Stanley is aiming to help his current teammates claim victory in his swansong, with Saint Louis looking to break a four-game winless streak that was extended after the club’s contest last Saturday night against Tulsa Roughnecks FC was abandoned in the eighth minute as lightning and heavy rains rolled through the region for the rest of the night.

With a six-point gap to make up on eighth-place Fresno FC, and Orange County coming in off an impressive victory on Wednesday night, picking up all three points would be a very big boost to Saint Louis’ postseason hopes.

“They are a team on a roll at the moment with a lot of attacking threats, so we will have to be at the top of our game defensively to create chances on the other end,” said STLFC Head Coach Anthony Pulis. “I think we were the better team when we played [to a 1-1 draw] earlier in the season but the result did not reflect it, so hopefully this time we can put away our chances and see out the game.”

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