Tyler Turner

The Orlando Sentinel reported on Wednesday that U.S. youth international defender Tyler Turner will be signing a professional contract with Orlando City SC, a member of USL Pro, this week.

Orlando City will be joining MLS in 2015 as the 19th franchise in the top league in the U.S. soccer pyramid. Orlando City has already signed Yordany Alvarez, Darwin Ceren, and Kevin Molino for its MLS squad next season.

Turner is a former member of the U.S. Residency Program where he spent two years in Bradenton, Florida. He joined IMG Academy’s Development Academy squad following his graduation from the U17 MNT regime.

Turner appeared in all three games during the U17 MNT’s unsuccessful bid to qualify for the World Cup at the U17 CONCACAF Championship last April. The Connecticut-native started the quarterfinal tilt against Honduras. He is the first member of the 20-player roster from the CONCACAF Championship to sign a professional contract.

The defender has matriculated to the U18 MNT and most recently appeared with the team during the Copa Del Atlantico in the Canary Islands earlier in February.

Turner has featured at outside back with the U18 MNT as well as with the Orlando City first team during the preseason. He played right back on Wednesday in a 4-4 draw against Columbus Crew.

Born in 1996, Turner is eligible for the U20 MNT squad for the 2015 World Cup cycle. He is the No. 11 ranked recruit in the IMG Academy Top 150 players for the class of 2014 and the no. 2 defender for the class. 

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