Atlanta United 2 today announced it has signed defender Tyler Ruthven as a free agent, pending league and federation approval.
“We are happy to be able to add Tyler to our group and bring him back to Atlanta,” said ATL UTD 2 head coach Scott Donnelly. “He is a proven centerback with experience, maturity and technique. Tyler's presence will no doubt add a valuable element to our team and club.”
A 30-year-old centerback from Alpharetta, Georgia, Ruthven brings more than eight years of professional playing experience to ATL UTD 2, including stints in Major League Soccer, USL, NASL and Europe. After playing collegiately at the University of South Carolina, he began his career in USL Pro with the Harrisburg City Islanders, now Penn FC, where he made his professional debut in 2010. Ruthven returned home and spent the 2011 NASL season with the Atlanta Silverbacks where he made 27 appearances.
After going on trial with the New York Red Bulls, Ruthven earned a contract with the MLS club in March of 2012 and made his league debut April 22 against D.C. United. He started the next four consecutive matches for the Red Bulls while keeping a clean sheet in three.
Ruthven took his talents to Europe in 2013 and played for Sweden’s IK Brage and Finland’s KuPS. He returned to the U.S. the following year and joined Arizona United, now Phoenix Rising, for the 2014-15 USL seasons. Ruthven anchored the Jacksonville Armada defense in 2016 before signing with fellow NASL club Miami FC last year. In Miami, Ruthven was a part of the squad which finished first in both the 2017 spring and fall seasons and reached the semifinals of the NASL playoffs and the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open Cup.
ATL UTD 2’s season continues Wednesday, Aug. 22 against FC Cincinnati at Coolray Field. The match will be streamed live on ESPN+.
PLAYER PROFILE
Name: Tyler Ruthven
Pronunciation: ROOTH-ven
Position: Defender
Height: 6-2
Weight: 195
Jersey Number: 2
Birthdate: July 18, 1988 (30)
Hometown: Alpharetta, Georgia
Nationality: USA
Last Club: Miami FC
Acquired: Signed as a free agent on Aug. 14, 2018
