FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 26, 2019
Contact: Bernadette O’Donnell
Ten Veterans Confirmed For 2020 Tormenta FC League One Roster
Tormenta FC announced its first roster decisions today ahead of the 2020 USL League One season. A veteran core of 10 players – goalkeeper Pablo Jara; defenders Lars Eckenrode, Mike O’Sullivan, Joshua Phelps and Jordan Skelton; midfielders Jad Arslan, Lucas Coutinho, Ricardo Gomez and Nil Vinyals; and forward Mikie Rowe – are confirmed for Tormenta’s 2020 professional roster, pending league and federation approval.
This returning core scored nine goals and five assists in 2019 with nine shutouts, while appearing on USL League One Team of the Week nine times.
Pablo Jara’s contract was already guaranteed as he signed a two-season contract in 2019. Lars Eckenrode signed a new year-long deal for the 2020 season. Jad Arslan, Lucas Coutinho, Ricardo Gomez, Mike O’Sullivan, Joshua Phelps, Mikie Rowe, Jordan Skelton and Nil Vinyals all had their options picked up by the club, bringing Tormenta’s current roster to 10 players.
Agreements are close with more returning players from the 2019 squad and announcements for new player signings are coming soon. With many talented players across the country and within the Tormenta FC community, fans will not have to wait long for exciting player signings over the next several weeks.
“We’ve brought back a strong core of players from our 2019 League One roster,” Head Coach John Miglarese said. “Our aim for the 2020 campaign was to build a championship-winning team around a group of players that we believe have the right mix of talent and character. Now, we are working tirelessly to add in the right pieces around them.”
MF Jad Arslan
Arslan goes into his fifth season with the club as the only player that has been with Tormenta in all four seasons of its existence. Arslan has also scored every single season. In 2019, Arslan played 1,117 minutes in 24 games and 10 starts. The Tormenta original notched two goals, one assist and four key passes last season, along with 25 fouls won.
MF Lucas Coutinho
Coutinho was one of the four Tormenta FC captains and quickly became a staple in Tormenta’s offense during his first season with the club. Before suffering from a mid-season head injury, Coutinho played 1,090 minutes in 13 starts and 16 games total. The Brazilian midfielder recorded three goals, two assists and 21 key passes in the first half of the season. He won April Goal of the Month, Week 5 Player of the Week and appeared on Team of the Week twice.
DF Lars Eckenrode
Eckenrode wore the captain’s armband in all of his four starts and 360 minutes played before sitting out the rest of the season due to a head injury. The 6’4” defender won 70% of his aerial duels and scored one goal.
MF Ricardo Gomez
Gomez was an essential part of Tormenta’s midfield in 2019 with 27 matches played and 2,411 minutes. The midfielder ranked 2nd in USL League One for passes with 1,640 and an 87% accuracy.
GK Pablo Jara
Jara goes into his third season with Tormenta FC as one of the most notable goalkeepers in USL League One. The Tormenta FC captain was an eight-time Save of the Week winner and two-time Save of the Month winner while appearing on Team of the Week three times. Jara finished the 2019 season with nine clean sheets.
DF Mike O’Sullivan
Defender Mike O’Sullivan notched two starts in three games played and 117 minutes before missing the majority of the 2019 season due to a knee injury. O’Sullivan had a 75% tackle success rate in his three games played.
DF Josh Phelps
Phelps was the inaugural USL League One signee in 2019 and one of the four Tormenta FC captains. The Australian defender ranked 2nd in USL League One for clearances with 111. Phelps also appeared on Team of the Week three times.
FW Mikie Rowe
Rowe was recently awarded USL League One Goal of the Year for his pinpoint free-kick against the Richmond Kickers. Rowe played 1,061 minutes in 11 starts and 24 games total. Throughout the season, the Irish forward scored three goals and one assist.
DF Jordan Skelton
Skelton was the Tormenta Two team captain in summer 2019 before being called up to the club’s League One side in August. The English defender made 40 clearances, starting in all 9 games played.
MF Nil Vinyals
Vinyals goes into his fourth season with Tormenta as a staple of the midfield. The Catalonian midfielder started 17 times in 19 games played, finishing the season with an 88.3% passing accuracy. Vinyals also appeared on the USL League One Team of the Week once.
ROSTERED PLAYERS
Goalkeepers (1): Pablo Jara
Defenders (4): Lars Eckenrode, Mike O’Sullivan, Josh Phelps and Jordan Skelton
Midfielders (4): Jad Arslan, Lucas Coutinho, Ricardo Gomez and Nil Vinyals
Forwards (1): Mikie Rowe
As excitement builds for the upcoming season, fans should keep an eye out on the Tormenta FC website and social media for updates on 2020 season ticket memberships. For additional information and scheduling interviews, call (478-508-2604) or email: bodonnell@https://www.tormentafc.com.