Soccer players sign with professional team

Pictured are Adam Brundle and Jordi Lluch signing their contracts. Photo courtesy of Coach Rich Posipanko.

A Winthrop connection from 300 miles away played a key role in landing two former men’s soccer standouts the opportunity to play at the next level, according to veteran Eagle boss Rich Posipanko.

Junior midfield maestro Adam Brundle and defensive stalwart Jordi Lluch (pending United States Soccer Federation approval) are set to join their new teammates in May at Chesterfield United (Va.), a professional summer team that plays in the National Premier Soccer League, commonly considered to be the fourth-highest tier in American soccer.

The NPSL has over 50 professionally operated teams who use amateur players in order to boost their chances of getting signed on a long term contract after college. Lluch, a freshman, and Brundle will both be able to keep their collegiate eligibility.

The NPSL has over 50 professionally operated teams who use amateur players in order to boost their chances of getting signed on a long term contract after college. Lluch, a freshman, and Brundle will both be able to keep their collegiate eligibility.
Former Eagles Matt Lacey (’05) and Miquel Casajuana (’12) became high-ranking officials at Chesterfield United after their college careers ended in Rock Hill, a move that has inspired the influx of new Winthrop talent.

“It is because both of them that we want to send players there,” Posipanko said Tuesday. “Not only are they alums of the program, but are very good at what they do. They are working hard trying to get some of the best college players in the region to play for Chesterfield this summer.”

Brundle played significant minutes in the center of a formidable midfield, which overcame a 2-0 deficit at halftime to defeat a nationally ranked Coastal Carolina, securing a Big South Conference Championship for the Eagles. Lluch played nearly every minute of the 2012 season as a first year defender, including to a program record first overtime win over Southern Methodist University last November.

“We are really excited to have two players of such high caliber who have played at the top level of college soccer,” said Lacey, Chesterfield United’s Director of Development. ”I was lucky enough to watch them both play this season for Winthrop and they will be a great addition to the club on and off the field.”
Posipanko says the signings are a boon for attracting new talent to Winthrop. Since 2002, the school has had 14 alumni play in professional soccer leagues, either in America or abroad.

“This is as good as any program in the nation during this time period,” he said. “Because of this success, good players want to come to Winthrop because there is a proven path for them to get to the next level.”

Chesterfield United is one of 13 expansion teams that have been added to the league for this year. The NPSL season typically ends around the last week of July, allowing Brundle and Lluch to rejoin Winthrop this fall.

Most recently, former Eagles Henry Kalungi and Matt Stinson have received their moments to shine on national television. Kalungi has been training in Orlando for preseason training with Major League Soccer side D.C. United, while Stinson received his first full national team cap for Canada this month.

Other recently graduated Eagles are hoping to be on the cusp of signing for professional teams in the near future. Midfielder Alex Isern was selected to the “Best 11” at the MLS combine this January and is currently deciding between finding a contract in Spain and opting to play in the United Soccer League. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Enrique Miranda attended the USL Pro Combine this January.