FC Tucson continued to build out its defense Tuesday, this time adding a championship-winning left back.
The club announced the signing of defender Jake Crull, who was part of a Union Omaha defense that allowed a league-low 23 goals en route to the 2021 USL League One title.
"I'm excited for a new challenge in a new location with a new group of guys," Crull said. "With the great facilities that Tucson has, I can't wait for the day-to-day grind on the training ground."
Crull, a left back, joins the club after playing 1,723 minutes over 23 games for Union Omaha.
FC Tucson continued to build out its defense Tuesday, this time adding a championship-winning left back.
The club announced the signing of defender Jake Crull, who was part of a Union Omaha defense that allowed a league-low 23 goals en route to the 2021 USL League One title.
“I’m excited for a new challenge in a new location with a new group of guys,” Crull said. “With the great facilities that Tucson has, I can’t wait for the day-to-day grind on the training ground.”
Crull, a left back, joins the club after playing 1,723 minutes over 23 games for Union Omaha.
The 24-year-old Austrian-born American player started his career in 2018 with the Charlotte Eagles of USL League Two. He made 18 appearances and scored one goal for the club.
He joined Union Omaha in 2020, helping the team reach the USL League One Final. He remained in Omaha for this past season, where he helped the team win the regular-season championship and the playoffs.
Crull was key in the Omaha side that won the final in 2021. He played all 90 minutes of the 3-0 championship win over Greenville Triumph SC, and started and played 67 minutes in the semifinal win over Tucson.
He was second on the team with 55 clearances, and added 23 interceptions while winning 71 of 141 duels. He had a 81.4% success rate on passes.
"He's capable of playing left-back and left center back," said FC Tucson head coach Jon Pearlman. "He's a hardworking player and he's the type of player that matches the culture that we're trying to build in 2022."
Crull said he will be spending the off season with his friends and family.
"I got married and spent a week in Turks and Caicos," Crull said. "We are soaking up time with family and cherishing every moment with them."
He is the eighth player on FC Tucson's 2022 roster. The club previously announced the return of six starters from the 2021 playoff team, including center backs Kaelon Fox and Luca Mastrantonio. Monday, the team announced the return of former starting goalkeeper Carlos Merancio.
The 24-year-old Austrian-born American player started his career in 2018 with the Charlotte Eagles of USL League Two. He made 18 appearances and scored one goal for the club.
He joined Union Omaha in 2020, helping the team reach the USL League One Final. He remained in Omaha for this past season, where he helped the team win the regular-season championship and the playoffs.
Crull was key in the Omaha side that won the final in 2021. He played all 90 minutes of the 3-0 championship win over Greenville Triumph SC, and started and played 67 minutes in the semifinal win over Tucson.
He was second on the team with 55 clearances, and added 23 interceptions while winning 71 of 141 duels. He had a 81.4% success rate on passes.
“He’s capable of playing left-back and left center back,” said FC Tucson head coach Jon Pearlman. “He’s a hardworking player and he’s the type of player that matches the culture that we’re trying to build in 2022.”
Crull said he will be spending the off season with his friends and family.
“I got married and spent a week in Turks and Caicos,” Crull said. “We are soaking up time with family and cherishing every moment with them.”
He is the eighth player on FC Tucson’s 2022 roster. The club previously announced the return of six starters from the 2021 playoff team, including center backs Kaelon Fox and Luca Mastrantonio. Monday, the team announced the return of former starting goalkeeper Carlos Merancio.
