Jacksonville Armada Bolster Line-Up with USL Defender of the Year

Jacksonville Armada FC has signed 2015 USL Defender of the Year Bryan Burke to help cement its defense. The club finished 2015 at the bottom of the NASL table and has been taking steps this off-season to improve ahead of their sophomore session in the league.

Given Burke’s track record, there is no reason to doubt he will be a huge asset and leave his mark with the club. He has a unique player that has made his way up the US soccer pyramid hitting practically every level so far. He was a decorated college player at the University of San Francisco until his graduation. He then moved on to win the the USL Professional Development League MVP award while playing with the Kitsap Pumas in 2011. In 2012 he turned professional and played with the USL Pro’s LA Blues (now OC Blues). He then joined Orlando City FC (while it was still a USL Pro side) and won the 2013 USL Championship and 2014 Commissioner’s Cup.

Armada FC Head Coach and Technical Director, Tony Meola, had this to say about his latest addition:

"Brian had an outstanding season last year in the USL with Louisville,… His work rate up and down the right side and his relentless passion to attack will be exciting to watch as he integrates himself into our group. We are excited to add his quality to our roster for the upcoming season."

The Armada will be an exciting club to keep an eye on this coming season with US soccer legend Tony Meola making his professional head coaching debut. He has promised to put together a club with an attacking mindset, and with the additions that they're making, it already looks like the squad will finish considerably higher up the table.

The Armada will begin pre-season training in mid-January and will play a friendly against MLS side Philadelphia Union on February 6, 2016.