Naugatuck Resident Heads to Azul

HAMDEN, Conn. – CFC Azul are proud to announce the player commitment of Ryan Kinne for the 2012 season. Kinne played college soccer for Monmouth University and was drafted in the MLS SuperDraft by the New England Revolution following his senior year.

"I have known Ryan since he was 10 years old. He banged in goals for fun then, and he does it still,” Azul head coach David Kelly said. “Ryan has pace, skill, and determination. He is a winner, and a great signing for the club. Like a few others that will be playing for the Azul this summer, this is just a stepping-stone in his career. We're happy he's decided to play for us this summer; and we will be proud when he moves on to bigger and better things... which he no doubt will."

Kinne entered the MLS after being drafted in the third round of the 2011 MLS SuperDraft by the New England Revolution and later signed with the team. Kinne saw action in one game when the Revolution defeated D.C. United 2-1 on March 26, 2011. He also played in and started 10 games for the Revolutions reserve squad.

“It's nice to see professional soccer making a comeback in Connecticut,” Kinne said. “I am excited to be part of the inaugural season for Azul and am looking forward to making it a very successful one.”

Before playing for the Revolution, the Naugatuck native played for the Central Jersey Spartans of the PDL in their inaugural season. He played in 10 games for the Spartans and scored three goals.

At Monmouth, Kinne was named a semifinalist for the Hermann Trophy, which is given to the top collegiate soccer player in the country, his junior and senior seasons. He was also an NSCAA All-American and Northeast Conference Player of the Year his junior and senior seasons. In 77 games as a Hawk, he tallied 91 points off of 35 goals and 21 assists including 12 goals and six assists his senior season. Kinne helped lead the Hawks to four straight Northeast Conference Regular season titles as well as back-to-back league tournament championships.

Before attending Monmouth, Kinne played three years as a starter for the Naugatuck high school varsity soccer team. As a senior he was named the NSCAA Connecticut State Player of the Year, a NSCAA All-American and led Connecticut in scoring. Kinne holds the school record in goals with 79 and also added 26 assists. He helped lead Naugatuck to two league championships and was named All-New England and all-state on two occasions. He was also named all-league in all three of his varsity seasons.

The PDL is seen as a ‘shop window’ for professional clubs looking to discover and identify aspiring professional players who may enter the MLS SuperDraft in future years. Many of the players currently playing Major League Soccer and elsewhere began their careers in the PDL when they were competing as an elite college or high school athlete. Over the past three years, 111 players with PDL experience have been drafted in the MLS SuperDraft, more than 70 percent of the selections.

For more details about CFC Azul please visit our website (www.cfcazul.com), “Like” us on Facebook (facebook.com/cfcazul) or e-mail us at info@cfcazul.com.