The Swope Park Rangers have signed defender Liam Doyle, the club announced today. Doyle, who spent his rookie season in the USL with the Harrisburg City Islanders in 2016, will join the squad ahead of the 2017 season pending USL and federation approval.
“I’m excited to join such a great organization,” Doyle said. “I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity the club is giving me to further my career and I can’t wait to get started next season.”
“Liam is a strong center back that is very good with the ball at his feet,” Swope Park Rangers head coach Nikola Popovic said. “He’s a player with very good technique and can build play from the back. He has a good profile for what we’re looking for in a center back.”
Doyle, 24, was a key member of the Harrisburg backline in 2016, making 28 appearances, starting all but one. He recorded one assist in a 2-2 draw with Bethlehem Steel FC on Aug. 30 and placed third on the team for minutes played with 2,435.
Doyle is a native of Douglas, Isle of Man – an island off the west coast of England in the Irish Sea – and was selected 67th overall in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft by DC United. He was not offered a contract after spending preseason with the club, instead signing with the City Islanders ahead of their April 2 game against the Charlotte Independence. Doyle also played every minute in Harrisburg’s Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup campaign, including a thrilling 3-2 defeat against the Philadelphia Union at Talen Energy Stadium in the Fourth Round.
Collegiately, Doyle spent his freshman and sophomore years at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College – making 39 appearances and adding 18 goals and 21 assists – before transferring to Ohio State University ahead of his junior year.
Doyle played in 45 games across his junior and senior seasons with the Buckeyes, recording seven goals and eight assists. Several accolades followed, including First Team All-Big Ten Conference and Second Team NSCAA All-Midwest Region selections as a junior before being named Big Ten Defensive Player Of The Year, NSCAA First Team All-Midwest Region, NSCAA Third Team All-American and First Team All-Big Ten Conference as a senior.
Internationally, Doyle has represented the Isle of Man four times since making his debut in 2010 and has since earned 12 caps for the Ellan Vannin National Team.
VITALS
Liam Doyle
Position: Defender
Born: 7/1/92 (24 years old)
Height: 6-4
Weight: 200 lbs.
Last Club: Harrisburg City Islanders (USL)
College: Ohio State University
Hometown: Douglas, Isle of Man, United Kingdom
Birthplace: Douglas, Isle of Man, United Kingdom
Citizenship: Isle of Man, United Kingdom
Twitter: @LiamDoyle07
Instagram: @ljd7
