HAMDEN, Conn. – The Connecticut FC Azul are proud to announce the player commitment of Steve Covino for the 2012 season. Covino, who played in college for Siena and moved on to play in the PDL as well as professionally in USL PRO, will join the team for the inaugural season.

“Steve Covino is a great signing for the Azul. He had a great college career up at Siena, and he also has experience in this league with Western Mass,” Azul head coach David Kelly said. “Steve also had a run in the pros with FC New York last year, so getting a quality player with his experience will definitely bolster the squad. He’s quick, athletic, can dictate play, and he can score goals from midfield. I am looking forward to a great summer with Steve.”

Covino, a native of Bristol, Conn., made his pro soccer debut on April 11, 2011 with F.C. New York of USL PRO. Covino saw action in five games. Before Covino’s professional stint, he played in the PDL with the Western Mass Pioneers. He played in 14 matches for the Pioneers and scored one goal.

The former Siena Saint was named to the 2010 NSCAA/ Performance Subaru All-North Atlantic Region Team as a senior. He was also an All-MAAC Second Team selection. After competing in the PDL the summer before his senior year, Covino posted career-highs in his senior season finishing with eight goals and 20 points, which was second best on the team. The center midfielder’s career season helped lead the Saints to their second best record in program history at 10-8-1. Covino finished his collegiate career with 10 goals and 10 assists in 71 games.

Before playing for the Saints, Covino attended Bristol Central High School. As a senior, he was selected the No. 1 player in the CCC South Conference. He was also selected as the team MVP, earned All-State recognition and was an All-New England nominee. As a junior he also was named the teams MVP and received the Playmaker Award. In his junior and sophomore seasons he also secured All-Conference honors.

The PDL is seen as a ‘shop window’ for professional clubs looking to discover and identify aspiring professional players who may enter the MLS SuperDraft in future years. Many of the players currently playing Major League Soccer and elsewhere began their careers in the PDL when they were competing as an elite college or high school athlete. Over the past three years, 111 players with PDL experience have been drafted in the MLS SuperDraft, more than 70 percent of the selections.
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