The New York Cosmos announced on Friday that the club has signed defender Jimmy Nealis for the remainder of the 2013 NASL Fall Season.
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Nealis, 22, is a 6’0” defender who played NCAA Division I soccer for Georgetown, where he led the Hoyas backline for four years and finished his college career with an appearance in the 2012 College Cup final. During his college career, Nealis tallied two goals and 15 assists over 83 appearances (71 starts).
Nealis is originally from Massapequa, NY and grew up playing soccer on Long Island with the Massapequa United Terminators for eight years and at Massapequa High School.
Nealis was selected by the Houston Dynamo in the second round (37th overall) of the 2013 MLS SuperDraft. After suffering an injury during preseason, Nealis elected for surgery and was released by Houston. He has been rehabilitating in New York post-surgery.
“Jimmy has been training with us for a few weeks now and has showed a nice work ethic,” Cosmos head coach Giovanni Savarese said. “He looks good on the field and will provide some nice depth for us at left back.”