skip navigation

Rangers Add Doyle to Defensive Corp

By USLSoccer.com Staff, 12/05/16, 6:41PM EST

Share

Former City Islanders defender joins defending Western Conference champions


Photo courtesy Mark Thor / Orlando City B

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Swope Park Rangers announced on Monday the signing of former Harrisburg City Islanders defender Liam Doyle. The signing is 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.”
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.
“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 is a native of Douglas, Isle of Man – an island off the west coast of the United Kingdom 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 clash that saw the side edged out by 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. 

Follow the USL Championship

Most Recent News

Most Read News

Latest Videos