D.C. United announced the identity of the four reserves who will join the Richmond Kickers on loan for the 2013 USL Pro season on Tuesday, a central facet of the affiliation agreement sealed by the clubs in January.
Forward Casey Townsend, defender/midfielder Taylor Kemp, forward Michael Seaton and midfielder Conor Shanosky (above) will play for the Kickers, whose season opens against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds on April 6.
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“This is an excellent opportunity for our young players to compete and play on a regular basis in meaningful games,” said D.C. United general manager Dave Kasper in a press release. “There is no substitute for first team games that matter, and we believe that the Richmond Kickers will provide a platform and environment for D.C. United players to quickly develop as professionals.”
Both Townsend and Kemp are University of Maryland products acquired by United over the offseason, Townsend in a trade with Chivas USA and Kemp via D.C.'s only pick in the 2013 SuperDraft.
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Seaton and Shanosky are United Homegrown players. Shanosky spent last season on loan with the NASL's Ft. Lauderdale Strikers, while Seaton, a 16-year-old Jamaican-born striker and resident of Capitol Heights, Md., signed with the club in January.
“Taylor, Michael, Conor and Casey are first-class additions to our team and we look forward to them contributing to our goal of winning a USL Pro Championship this season,” said Leigh Cowlishaw, the Kickers' director of soccer.
