Seattle Impact FC – a newcomer to the 23-team Major Arena Soccer League, the indoor game’s top-tier division in North America – continues to build its roster.
The team has signed five players as it moves ahead with tryouts set for Sept. 6 and 7 at the ShoWare Center.
An early look at the team:
Defender Jeff Bader
Before joining the Impact, the Tacoma native played for the Ontario Fury, where his 15-game season resulted in 12 goals, six assists and nine blocks.
Bader played at Stadium High School and continued his career at Evergreen State College.
Baden played for the Tacoma Stars’ semi-pro team from 2004 to 2010, and played with the professional team in 2010. During his three-year pro career there, he scored 15 goals, made 11 assists and blocked 25 shots.
Francisco Cisneros
Cisneros is the first defender to sign with the Impact.
Born and raised in Corvallis, Ore., Cisneros attended Crescent Valley High and Oregon State University, where he earned his degree in exercise sports science.
Cisneros has many years of playing experience in Oregon and Washington. He recently played for the Kitsap Pumas’ indoor and outdoor teams.
Andrew Croft
Croft is the second goalkeeper to sign with the Impact. Croft grew up in Kenmore and played at Inglemoor High School and Pacific Lutheran, where he earned a degree in communication.
Croft brings a variety of playing and coaching experience. He recently played for the Arena Soccer League’s Tacoma Galaxy and contributed to the team’s 2014 Northwest Division title. Croft has coached the Bellevue College men’s soccer team since early 2013.
Gordon Gurson
Gurson is a three-time NAIA All-American, leaving Robert Morris University as the all-time leading scorer with 44 goals.
In 2013, Gurson was the leading goal scorer in the National Soccer League, scoring 40 goals in 17 games.
The Chicago native also played for the American Athletic Club Eagles of Chicago, one of the oldest clubs in North America.
Last year in the U.S. Indoor Open Cup, Gurson scored a goal and added an assist.
Piotr Sliwa
Sliwa, a goalkeeper, was a four-year starter at Dominican University at River Forest, Ill. He ended his college career with a mark of 73-11-5.
Dominican won four consecutive conference titles and made four national tournaments and one Elite 8 appearance. He recorded 30 shutouts in his four years there.
He received all-conference and all-region honors and was a team captain his senior year. During his professional career, Sliwa won multiple national championships with the AAC Eagles alongside Gurson.
In 2013, he received the athlete of the year award from the Polish American Congress.
He previously served as captain of the Illinois state select team and played with Rockford Rampage in the MISL.
Moving ahead
The Impact are still receiving highlight reels and resumes for positions on the team, according to coach Jason Dunn, and will continue to fill their roster out as the preseason progresses.
Dunn is looking for talented players with a certain type of mentality.
“I want a player with the mental stature that he’s a big player. I don’t care if he’s 5-3,” Dunn said. “I’m also looking for a ‘blue collar mentality.'”
The team kicks off its inaugural season Nov. 8 at home against the San Diego Sockers.
For more information, visit www.SeattleImpactFC.com.
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