Players

2012: NASL Best XI defender Toni Ståhl begins his second season with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers after a successful first season. He is the current  captain of the team. 

2011: Ståhl established himself as one of the league’s premier defenders in 2011. After starting the season as a holding midfielder, the tough-tackling defender was moved to a more familiar position in the center of defense following Aaron Hohlbein’s season-ending injury. He hasn’t looked back since. Named to the NASL Best XI for the 2011 season for his no-nonsense performances at the heart of the Strikers defense.

Ståhl played 27 times for the Strikers in 2011, recorded a total of 2,273 minutes, and picked up five bookings.

Professional: Was subject to interest from several European clubs, but decided to sign with Major League Soccer instead. Ståhl was drafted in the 2nd round (17th overall) of the 2010 MLS SuperDraft by expansion side Philadelphia Union. He made just two appearances in all competitions with the Union, and was sent off on his MLS debut. Spent a brief spell on loan with the Harrisburg City Islanders before being released from Philadelphia at the end of the season. A free agent, Ståhl signed with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers on April 1, 2011.

Before coming to the United States to play collegially, Ståhl played professionally in native Finland with FC Espoo from 2003 until 2006.

College: From 2006 to 2009, Ståhl was a standout college soccer player at the University of Connecticut. In four seasons with the Huskies, Ståhl played a total of 79 games, scored two goals, and chipped in with nine assists.

Collected several honors including the 2006 Big East Rookie of the Year, 2006 Third Team All-Big East, 2007 All-Big East All-Tournament Team, 2007 First Team All-Big East, and 2008 First Team All-Big East.