COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Dec 19th, 2023) – The Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC announced that they had signed goalkeeper Joe Rice, previously from Hartford Athletic. The transaction is pending league and federation approval.
“I am excited to join a team like Colorado Springs, which has established themselves in the USL the last couple of years and has proven themselves as competitors with aspirations that go even higher,” said Rice. “I know the staff and current roster want the same things and have the same goals for the organization that I do. So it was a perfect choice!”
Rice, 27, recently spent the 2023 season playing for Hartford Athletic. During his last season, he earned two clean sheets and had 53 saves in 18 appearances.
Collegiately, Rice played in six games for Virginia Commonwealth University and helped the team win the Atlantic 10 Men’s Soccer Championship Cup in 2018. During his college years, he also made appearances in the National Premier Soccer League for Chesterfield United FC and Virginia Beach City FC.
Rice began his professional USL career in 2019 and has played for Richmond Kickers, New England Revolution II, Loudoun United, Detroit City FC, and Hartford Athletic. In 2020 Rice earned USL League One Save of the Year when playing with New England Revolution II. Throughout his years in USL League One and USL Championship, Rice racked up 16 clean sheets in 56 appearances.
“Joe was a player we have had our eyes on for a while now and we are happy to finally have him in the building,” said Technical Director & Assistant Coach, James Chambers. “We value his character and mentality and we are excited to work with him this season. We know that his career experiences will serve as a strong foundation for Joe to continue to develop and strengthen the goalkeeper department.”
Name: Joe Rice
Position: Goalkeeper
Height: ‘6’4″
Date of Birth: March 6, 1996
Age: 27
Hometown: Fairfax, Virginia
For more information on the 2024 Switchbacks FC roster, click HERE!
