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Roughnecks Add Sheldon, Addai to Squad

By USLChampionship.com Staff, 01/14/19, 6:02PM EST

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Hounds sign NCAA Division II standout after record-setting career at Fresno Pacific


Tulsa Roughnecks FC signing Matt Sheldon last competed in the USL Championship in 2017 when he suited up for Saint Louis FC. | Photo courtesy FC Cincinnati

TULSA, Okla. – Tulsa Roughnecks FC announced on Monday it had made another pair of signings ahead of the 2019 USL Championship season, bringing aboard defender Matt Sheldon and midfielder Jeff Addai.

Sheldon has made 26 appearances in the Championship across two seasons as he competed for Orange County SC in the 2016 season and Saint Louis FC the following year. A native of Bellevue, Wash., the 26-year-old most recently competed in New Zealand for Waterside Karori, while prior to his profession career he also played for the San Jose Earthquakes U23 and Ventura County Fusion in USL League Two.

“I’m absolutely ecstatic to sign with the Tulsa Roughnecks for the 2019 season and make my re-entry back into the USL,” said Sheldon, “I can’t wait to get to Tulsa and start competing and working hard every single day to make this a successful season for the club.”

“Matt is a good addition to the Roughnecks. He comes to work at a high level every day,” said Roughnecks Head Coach Michael Nsien. “Matt can play multiple positions, he will be pushing the standard of intensity at training. I’m looking forward to seeing Matt take advantage of this opportunity.”

Addai returns to North America after competing most recently for VfR Mannheim in Germany. A native of Ottawa, Canada, the 25-year-old played collegiately at the University of South Carolina.

“Jeff Addai is of the highest caliber in terms of professionalism and character,” said Nsien, “Jeff has the potential to be the type of midfielder that every team needs. He reads the game well defensively, intercepts, tackles, and keeps the game simple. Jeff is clean on the ball and has a commanding presence.”

HOUNDS BRING ABOARD VELARDE: Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC announced it had signed midfielder/forward Anthony Velarde to a one-year contract with a club option for the 2020 season, pending league and federation approval.

Velarde joins the Hounds from the college ranks, after earning Division II Conference Commissioners Association First-Team All-America honors last fall with Fresno Pacific University. Velarde led the Sunbirds to an NCAA Division II Tournament appearance and a 14-3-1 record in 2018. This past year, he broke the PacWest Conference’s all-time assist record, finishing with 44 helpers for the Sunbirds over his career.

“Anthony is a very gifted technical player who also brings creativity and sophistication in attacking areas,” Hounds Head Coach Bob Lilley said. “We feel he can bring goals and assists, and are excited to help him make the jump from the college to the professional game.”

In 2018, Velarde became the first PacWest player to record 12 or more assists in consecutive seasons. He finished his redshirt senior campaign with 14 goals and 20 assists while starting all 18 of his appearances. Notably, he also totaled double-digit goals and assists during his redshirt junior season, posting 10 tallies and 13 helpers.

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