LEESBURG, Va. – Loudoun United FC announced on Friday the club had signed goalkeeper Joe Rice and defenders Carson Vom Steeg and Rio Hope-Gund ahead of the 2022 USL Championship season. The signings are pending league and federation approval. 

A Fairfax native, Rice joins Loudoun after most recently competing in USL League One with the New England Revolution II. Rice signed with the Revolution II during the 2020 preseason and went on to start and play in nine matches, recording 45 saves and three clean sheets. This past campaign, the 25-year-old ranked third in League One with eight shutouts in 20 appearances and posted a 76.2% save percentage, the highest of any goalkeeper to play at least 1,000 minutes in the 2021 League One campaign.

Rice had previously made his professional debut with the Richmond Kickers in USL League One during the 2019 season. The previous year, Rice made 13 appearances for Lionbridge FC in USL League Two. Prior to his professional career, Rice attended Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) where he was a member of the Rams’ soccer team.

“Joe is a seasoned goalkeeper that has found great experience in USL League One,” said LUFC Head Coach Ryan Martin. “He’s a great shot stopper and has exceptional distribution skills. We look forward to the competition and depth he will bring to our goalkeeper position.”

Hope-Gund joins LUFC after most recently spending a season with Major League Soccer’s Orlando City SC. The 22-year-old native of New York was drafted by Orlando City with the No. 19 pick of the 2021 MLS SuperDraft. Hope-Gund was a standout with Manhattan SC in USL League Two, starting every game for the club in 2019. 

Prior to his professional career, the defender was an essential piece of Georgetown University’s defense from 2017 to 2021, where he recorded 44 appearances (32 starts), scored two goals, and provided two assists. Hope-Gund was a part of the Hoya defense that recorded 21 shutouts across the 2018 and 2019 seasons and won the 2019 NCAA National Championship. 

“We are excited to add Rio to our roster and strengthen our defensive side,” said Martin. “He has a high-ceiling with room to grow and has proven himself at Georgetown with his ability to lead as a team captain.”

Vom Steeg most recently competed for UC Santa Barbara (UCSB), where he played 22 games (20 starts) while scoring three goals. Prior to his time at UCSB, Vom Steeg attended Stanford University, winning the 2017 NCAA National Championship while appearing in 18 matches (two starts). Before his collegiate career, the California native competed for the U.S U-18 Men’s National Team.

“Carson is a talented defender with great size and physicality,” said Martin. “The thing that caught our eye from him was his professionalism and we think he is a terrific addition to our backline.”