Baltimore MD – Crystal Palace Baltimore is pleased to announce the signing of midfielder Pat Healey (pending USL and USSF approval.)   While captaining the 2007 Towson Tigers, the 22-year old Baltimore native was named 2007 Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year after leading the league with eight goals and nine assists.  In 2006 and 2007, he was named to the All-CAA first team and the NCSAA All-South Atlantic Region Team.  Healey was selected by the Kansas City Wizards in the first round of the 2008 Major League Soccer Supplemental Draft.

 “This is a big coup.” said Co-manager and President Pete Medd.  “This is the way it really should be, with the top college player in the area signing with the home team. With Pat’s pedigree and background, it’s going to help focus local attention on Palace Baltimore.”

Co-manager and Sporting Director Jim Cherneski was equally enthusiastic: “He’s a very intelligent player who can finish as well as orchestrate plays from centre-midfield, something we didn’t do enough of last year.  His great awareness keeps him three or four steps ahead of the play.”

Medd added “Is he good enough to play in MLS?  Absolutely.  We feel there are many players in our league that are, but there are a lot of factors that go into it.  We’re not worried about that – we’re just glad he’s here and we think he’s going to do big things.”

Pat Healey is the son of Kevin Healey, President of both the Baltimore Blast and the Baltimore Bays.