JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Just two days from the start of the North American Soccer League's fall season, the Jacksonville Armada have added some scoring pop to their roster, trading for one forward, signing another and hinting that one more could be on the way.
The club announced Friday that they had traded forward Jonathan Glenn and midfielder Danny Barrow to North Carolina FC for veteran forward Brian Shriver. They also announced that they had signed former Bishop Kenny and Jacksonville University forward Tony Taylor.
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Shriver won the NASL's Golden Boot in 2013 when he was the top scorer in the league. The Clearwater, Florida native was drafted by FC Dallas in 2009 out of North Carolina. From 2012-2017 in the NASL, Shriver, who earned NASL Best XI honors in 2013, scored 28 goals.
"His experience within the league is going to really help us push on this Fall Season," said Nathan Walter, Armada technical director. "Watching Brian over the past few years, I’m excited to see him imprint his work rate and personality on our team."
Shriver tweeted:
I am ecstatic to join @JaxArmadaFC and get this fall season underway!!! Great group of guys, great staff, and great fans! #myArmada
— Brian Shriver (@bshriver21) July 28, 2017
Taylor, who was born to Panamanian parents in Long Beach, California, had been playing in the fist division in Portugal. Taylor was the fifth pick of the MLS expansion draft by NYCFC and scored two goals for the MLS side in 2015-2016. He has played for the United States U-23 and U-20 teams, but was capped by the Panama senior national team three times.
"With Tony, we bring in a first-class player who has experience in top leagues across the world. Now we have the opportunity to see this talent within Northeast Florida," Walter said. "Any young player in this area should be able to relate with Tony.”
The team also said that they expected to sign another player before the Fall Season opener on Sunday, but has not yet finalized the third contract. The Armada host the San Francisco Deltas Sunday at 6:15 p.m. at UNF's Hodges Stadium. The game will be broadcast on WJXT Channel 4.
Team owner Robert Palmer said that after the three players are signed, the team's roster will be set.