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Indy Eleven Adds Pair Of Goalkeepers

Indy Eleven signed goalkeeper Keith Cardona and re-signed shot-stopper Jon Dawson ahead of the 2015 season
Mar 31, 2015

Indy Eleven officially added a pair of goalkeepers to challenge incumbent starter Kristian Nicht on Tuesday, announcing the signings of Jon Dawson and Keith Cardona. 

“We get the best of both worlds in being able to sign Jon and Keith as we finalize preparations for the season,” Indy Eleven Head Coach and Director of Soccer Operations Juergen Sommer said. 

“Jon gives us yet another familiar face from last season and a great presence on the field, in the locker room, and in the community that means so much to him. We were very impressed in what we saw from Keith during our Arizona training camp and worked hard to bring him on board during the last month, so we’re glad to get his deal finalized.”

The addition of the two netminders brings Indy Eleven’s roster up to 21 signed players as the squad gets ever closer to this Saturday’s season opener at the Atlanta Silverbacks (7:30 p.m. ET, live on ESPN3.com and additional ESPN online platforms).

Dawson served as Indy Eleven’s primary back-up during the team’s inaugural 2014 season, but did not see the field with Nicht playing every eligible minute in both regular season and Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup play. The Indianapolis native and Brebeuf Jesuit High School product completed his collegiate career in 2013 at Butler University, where he posted a 1.43 GAA during his 52 appearances (51 starts) between the posts for the Bulldogs.

“I am happy to continue my career here in Indianapolis and look forward to helping the team win games in any way that I can,” said Dawson, who also performed for Indy Burn and Carmel United Academy during his youth club days locally.

The 22-year-old Cardona arrives in Indiana after suiting up with Austrian First League (second division) outfit FC Leifering last July.  The former Red Bull New York Academy product and United States Under-17 and U-18 National Team performer played two seasons at the University of Maryland, including as the primary starter as a sophomore in 2012 when he recorded a 16-1-3 record and 1.14 goals against average while helping the Terrapins to the NCAA College Cup Semifinal game.

“I’m really excited to come back to the U.S. and be a part of what Indy Eleven is continuing to build,” said Cardona, a native of Glen Rock, N.J., and two-time NSCAA All-American at Glen Rock H.S.  “After getting to train with them in February I found the coaches and staff to be top notch.  Having the chance to continue my career with Indy Eleven is another dream come true.”

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