February 2, 2023 – MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro) – Tacoma Defiance News Release
TACOMA, WASH. – Tacoma Defiance today announced that it has signed forward Eythor Bjørgolffson and defender Blake Bowen to MLS NEXT Pro contracts. Financial terms were not disclosed. The two sign with Tacoma after being drafted by Seattle in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft, bringing Defiance’s roster to 16 players ahead of its second MLS NEXT Pro season.
“Eythor and Blake have impressed our staff during their time in preseason,” said Vice President of Player Development Henry Brauner. “We are excited to continue their journey in the professional game with us. They have shown us that they are humble players but also remain focused on their development into the professional game, and we are confident that both will enhance the already demanding environment in Defiance.”
Bjørgolfsson, 22, the 38th overall pick by Seattle, scored 24 goals over four successful seasons at Kentucky, including 10 goals and two assists during his senior season where he was a MAC Hermann Tophy semifinalist, in addition to earning Sun Belt Conference First Team, United Soccer Coaches First Team All-American and United Soccer Coaches First Team All-Southeast Region honors. The Norwegian striker was named to the Conference USA All-Freshman team in 2019 after leading the Wildcats with four game-winning goals. As a junior in 2021, he scored the game-winning golden goal in the 93rd minute against Florida Atlantic to win Kentucky’s second-ever Conference USA Tournament title, earning Conference USA Tournament Offensive MVP and All-Tournament Team honors.
“Eythor is an exciting prospect, and we are delighted to add him to our roster for 2023,” said Head Coach Wade Webber. “He impressed during his time with the first team during preseason and it wasn’t hard to see why the club drafted him. He is more than just a big target striker. He is comfortable with both feet, possesses a clear eye for goal, is intelligent with his movement, is a willing worker defensively, threatens the space behind defenders and can be dominant in the air. Defiance have had success over the years in being a proving ground for strikers looking to break into a first team and we are confident Eythor has the mentality and ability to be the next to prove he is ready.”
Bowen, 22, the 59th overall pick by Seattle, recorded nine goals and five assists in 56 appearances (47 starts) over four seasons at San Diego State. He scored three goals (all…
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