By DAN KARELL
With preseason just around the corner, Indy Eleven’s inaugural roster is starting to come into view.
In a ceremony at Indiana University’s famed basketball stadium Assembly Hall, Indy Eleven president Peter Wilt and head coach Jurgen Sommer revealed the signings of former Indiana men’s soccer standouts Brad Ring and Mike Ambersley, taking Indy Eleven’s roster to ten players.
“Adding Mike Ambersley and Brad Ring not only gives our roster two more starting-caliber players, it also strengthens the bonds to the finest collegiate soccer program in the country,” Wilt said in a statement. “Indiana University has provided soccer fans across Indiana championships to celebrate on a regular basis and has done so with great integrity, and that’s the blueprint Indy Eleven will strive to follow.”
Ring, a 26-year-old midfielder, spent last season in between the San Jose Earthquakes and Portland Timbers, who acquired him in a trade last September. After being drafted by the Earthquakes and sitting out the 2009 season to heal a hip injury, Ring went on to make 38 appearances in total over the next three seasons for both clubs.
A career lower league player, Ambersley, 30, has proved himself to be a solid forward across USL Pro and the NASL since 2006. After being drafted and released by FC Dallas before making an appearance, Ambersley’s career has taken him from his hometown of St. Louis to Rochester, Atlanta, Tampa Bay (where he won the 2012 NASL title) to last season where he played on Minnesota United FC.
Ring and Ambersley join the eight other signings the club has made since October 1, starting with goalkeeper Kristian Nicht.
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