Americans add nine players to roster

Memphis Americans add nine more players to rosters

SOUTHAVEN, Miss.,– The Memphis Americans recently added nine players to its rosters as both the men’s and women’s teams prepare for home openers against the Columbus Rapids on Sunday, Dec. 26 at 3:30 p.m. at Landers Center in Southaven, Mississippi. 

“We’re just weeks away from the first match of the National Indoor Soccer League’s inaugural season and we cannot wait,” said Andrew Haines, Memphis Americans co-owner and president. “The turf arrived last month, we announced our home match dates and continue to add talent to both rosters. It just keeps getting better and more real as we inch closer to Dec. 26.”

Men’s team additions:

Ronald Akinsehinwa: Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Ronald Akinsehinwa moved to Hernando, Mississippi, at a young age. He played high school soccer at DeSoto Central High School and played collegiately at Itawamba Community College at the winger and outside back positions.

Kevin Bernal: Kevin Bernal brings on-the-field and Major League Soccer coaching experience to the Memphis Americans. The former New York Red Bulls coach once played club soccer for Golden Touch and high school soccer in White Plains, New York.

Jonathan Boggus: Jonathan Boggus played defender for Delta State University from 2010-2014. Prior to playing collegiately, he spent time with various prestigious clubs in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Matthew Klinck: Goalkeeper Matthew Klinck played soccer at Southaven High School before joining the collegiate ranks at Delta State University. The Hernando, Mississippi, native brings a great deal of experience to the team as he has played the sport since age 6.

Cesar Ramirez: Memphis native Cesar Ramirez grew up playing club soccer for various teams across the Mid-South. In doing so, he was exposed to experienced coaches who helped hone his skills and develop him into a talented player. He spends most of his playing time at the midfielder and forward positions.

Dan Rodman: Canadian Dan Rodman brings more than two decades of experience to the Memphis Americans. Over the years, he has spent time with several teams, including Coastal FC, Capilano University Men’s Soccer and Christian Brothers University Men’s Soccer, among others. Rodman plays winger and forward, and currently resides in Byhalia, Mississippi.

Women’s team additions:

Angel Hailey: A Southaven High School graduate, Angel Hailey played collegiate soccer at Northwest Community College as a goalkeeper. In 48 games, she accrued 323 saves, breaking the college’s previous record of 255. She then went on to play for the University of Louisiana-Monroe and currently attends the University of Montevallo. The former Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society member received Mississippi Association of Community & Junior Colleges All State honors and was named to the MACJC All-Star Team in 2018.

Kelsey Keown: Kelsey Keown has been playing the sport since age 4. She led her Atlanta, Georgia-based high school team to regional, state and national championships as a center midfielder.

Lauren Odino-Draughon: Lauren Odino-Draughon hails from Dallas, Texas, and brings more than 30 years of experience to the Memphis Americans. She played collegiately at Iowa State University, where she excelled early and was named Big 12 Newcomer of the Week, Cyclone Newcomer of the Year and the Cyclone Excellence Award Winner as a result. In 2014, she spent a season with the Des Moines Menaces and played for the Memphis Lobos from 2016-2018, both of which are part of the Women’s Premier Soccer League.

The Memphis Americans’ complete schedule with start times, opponents and away matches, as well as full team rosters will be finalized in the coming weeks. Individual match tickets for the Memphis Americans inaugural season will be available for purchase on Dec. 3 at 10 a.m. at www.memphisamericans.com.

Each ticket grants entry to both the men’s and women’s matches. Season tickets start at $180 and are currently available on the team’s website. Season ticket holders have access to all men’s and women’s matches, enjoy postseason and off-season priority access, can attend a meet and greet with the team, and receive a special inaugural season scarf.

Individual and season tickets can be purchased at www.memphisamericans.com.

ABOUT THE MEMPHIS AMERICANS:
The Memphis Americans are a professional indoor soccer franchise with a men’s team and a women’s team competing in the National Indoor Soccer League. The team will make its home at Landers Center in Southaven, Mississippi. The Inaugural 2021-2022 season will begin in December, with the Americans playing 12 home games and 12 away games. Each home date will consist of a men’s and women’s doubleheader. For more information or to purchase season tickets, please visit memphisamericans.com

ABOUT NATIONAL INDOOR SOCCER LEAGUE (NISL):
The National Indoor Soccer League was founded in January 2021 by a group of experienced sports team/league owners with over 40 years of ownership experience. NISL will kick off the 2021-2022 season on Dec. 26, 2021. The league will operate a men’s and women's division with each member team playing in both divisions. Each NISL game day will include a doubleheader, with fans being able to see both a women's match, as well as a men’s. For more information, please visit nislpro.com