Midfielder Richard Menjivar Sent to Tampa Bay
The San Antonio Scorpions and Tampa Bay Rowdies agreed to terms on a trade that will bring defender Brad Rusin to San Antonio in return for midfielder Richard Menjivar. Per team and league policy, terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
“Brad is an experienced, physical center back who brings balance to our squad,” said Head Coach Alen Marcina. “He has previously spent time playing in Europe, with the Vancouver Whitecaps in MLS, and has championship experience in both the NASL and USL. Many factors were taken into account when making this move, including the availability of our squad during the Gold Cup this summer, and it was certainly not an easy decision as Richie was a big part of our team’s success last season. But to acquire a quality player and properly reinforce our defense, this was a necessary adjustment that addresses an area of need and improves the squad as a complete unit. We wish Richie all the best and we’re delighted to welcome Brad to San Antonio.”
The 6’4″ Rusin is a center back that has played in over 125 professional matches. In 2014, he appeared in 23 matches (with 21 starts) and scored two goals for the then USL PRO Orlando City team that went on to win their league’s championship. A native of Crown Point, Indiana, Rusin made 16 starts and played in 19 games for Major League Soccer‘s Vancouver Whitecaps in 2013 after spending the previous two seasons in the Danish league.
El Salvadoran international Menjivar started 19 of the 20 matches he appeared in since coming to San Antonio before the 2014 season. Prior to joining the Scorpions, Menjivar made his professional debut in 2013 with the Atlanta Silverbacks.
Rusin attended the famed IMG Soccer Academy in Bradenton, Florida, before playing collegiately for UCLA. He trained with the English Premier League‘s Bolton Wanderers and debuted with the Carolina RailHawks (then of the USL First Division) in 2009. Rusin’s professional career includes time with: Carolina RailHawks (USL First Division), HB Køge (Denmark), Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS), Orlando City (USL PRO), and Tampa Bay Rowdies (NASL).
With the move, the Scorpions 2015 roster is now as follows:
GK – Sattler, Kempin, Cardone
D – DeRoux, James, Zea, Attakora, Abdul-Salaam, Rusin
M – Castillo, Forbes, Soto, Garcia, Cruz, Chavez, Tsiskaridze, Gibson, Nane
F – Elizondo, Hassli, Palomeque, Cummings, Dike
The 2015 San Antonio Scorpions season is presented by deeproot Funds. The Scorpions play their next home match on May 9 at Toyota Field against the Carolina RailHawks. For information on Scorpions season tickets, call 210-495-8686210-495-8686 or visit SAScorpions.com.
