Armada FC Adds Defender Anthony Wallace

Photo credit: Matt May/Tampa Bay Rowdies

The Jacksonville Armada FC announced on Friday the signing of former national team defender Anthony Wallace to its first team.

One of the most experienced youth internationals in U.S. history, Wallace played with the U.S. U-17 national team from 2004-06 and the U.S. U-20 national team from 2006-09. He was named to the 2007 and 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup rosters, starting four of five games in the team’s 2007 quarterfinals run and missing the 2009 tournament due to injury.

In 2011, Wallace was called up to the senior national team, making his debut on Jan. 22 of that year as a substitute in an international friendly against Chile and logging 17 minutes.

“We are excited to add Anthony’s experience to our roster,” Armada FC head coach and technical director Tony Meola said. “Anthony will give us depth at the fullback position and helps us improve the quality of our roster."

Wallace, 27, has 44 career Major League Soccer appearances and played the 2015 season with the New York Red Bulls, scoring two goals on five shots in six starts and 540 minutes of action in the team’s Supporters’ Shield-winning season. In 2014, Wallace played 25 games and scored a goal at left back for North American Soccer League club Tampa Bay Rowdies.

Prior to signing with the Rowdies, he played with MLS side Colorado Rapids from 2010-13, making a total of 23 appearances and 13 starts. Wallace started at left back in all four of Colorado’s playoff games, including the 2010 MLS Cup championship win.

From 2007-10, Wallace played for MLS side FC Dallas before being traded to the Rapids and appeared in 15 contests, including 11 starts. He was selected in the 2007 MLS SuperDraft by FC Dallas as a Generation adidas player.

Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., Wallace moved to St. Petersburg, Fla., when he was two-years-old and entered U.S. Soccer’s Residency Program in Bradenton, Fla., when he was 14. Wallace went to Lakewood High School in St. Petersburg and started 19 games at NCAA Division I school University of South Florida in 2006 as a defensive midfielder after turning down a chance to sign with English Premier League club Everton out of high school.

Wallace is expected to be available for lineup selection in the Armada FC’s 4 p.m. NASL match with the Rowdies on Saturday at Community First Park.