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State pro notes: Rapids, Sounders pick up options on Sjöberg, Lyon

12/04/2015, 8:00pm CST
By ERIC ANDERSON
Axel Sjöberg and Charlie Lyon

Former Marquette University teammates Axel Sjöberg and Charlie Lyon will remain with their respective Major League Soccer clubs next season after their 2016 contract options were picked up this week.

The Colorado Rapids exercised their option on Sjöberg, a 6-foot-7 center back who made 14 appearances during his rookie season, while the Seattle Sounders did the same for Lyon, who served as the club's third-string goalkeeper in his first pro season.

Sjöberg, 24, was the No. 14 overall selection in the first round of the MLS SuperDraft last January, and the Rapids went 3-4-7 and kept five clean sheets with the Swede in the starting lineup. He was sidelined with a knee injury for much of the summer.

The 23-year-old Lyon posted a 1.71 goals-against average and four shutouts in 24 appearances for Seattle Sounders 2 this year in USL play. Lyon, drafted 75th overall in the fourth round of the SuperDraft, and starter Stefan Frei are currently the only two keepers on the Sounders' roster.

On Twitter: @SjobergAxel @Charlie_Lyon_

  • Quick reminder: Ethan Finlay (Marshfield) and Columbus Crew SC play host to the Portland Timbers in the 20th MLS Cup final at 3 p.m. Sunday at Mapfre Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. The match will be televised live on ESPN and UniMás. On Twitter: @EthanFinlay13
  • After six seasons as the club's head coach, Manny Lagos (UW-Milwaukee) was named the first sporting director for Minnesota United. The North American Soccer League club will make the move to MLS in 2017 or '18. Lagos posted a 78-59-52 record as coach, leading the team to five postseason appearances – including the 2011 NASL Soccer Bowl title – and was named NASL Coach of the Year in 2011 and '14. In his new role, Lagos will be responsible for all player recruitment, acquisition and development, as well as overseeing the sporting staff. Carl Craig was promoted from associate head coach to head coach for the 2016 season. On Twitter: @Manny_Lagos
  • Chicago Mustangs defender-midfielder Joshio Sandoval, who played for the Madison 56ers in the National Premier Soccer League, was named to the Major Arena Soccer League Team of the Week. He had one goal, one assist and four blocks to help the Mustangs (3-2) beat the St. Louis Ambush 9-5 last Saturday.

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