MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. - Andrew Livingston, the 2012 St. Thomas men's soccer team captain, has signed with the Miami United Football Club, a semi-professional soccer club based in Miami, Fla.

After completing his senior season with the STU men's soccer team, Livingston received an invitation to try out for the Miami United Football Club in January. He was selected to play for the team out of more than 400 hopefuls from around the world.
 
The United squad, a combination of local and international professional players, is coached by Ricky Alcerro, a former professional soccer player who played in Brazil and for the Puerto Rico Islanders. A center defensive midfielder in his college career, Livingston now plays center back for the team.

“I have gone from being one of the oldest players at STU to one of the youngest at Miami United, so to me it is an invaluable experience,” said Livingston. “When I'm marking a player like Saúl Martinez, who has scored against Brazil and Argentina during his career, it forces you to improve. You know that if you make a mistake, whether it's technical or tactical, you will be punished.”

Still in its inaugural season, Miami United competes in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) with plans to expand to the United Soccer League (USL) next season. Ultimately, the club hopes to join Major League Soccer (MLS).

A native of Scotland, Livingston played two seasons at Brescia University in Owensboro, Ky., before joining the Bobcats. In his first season with Brescia, Livingston was selected to the KIAC first-team All-Conference. In his second season, Livingston was named team captain, led the conference in assists (9), set up the winning goal in overtime in the playoff semi-final game, and scored a 27-yard free kick in the final to tie the game at 3, in a 4-3 victory.

Resisting scholarship offers from Lindsey Wilson College and Northern Kentucky University, Livingston arrived at St. Thomas in 2011 and made an immediate impact on the team, scoring the lone goal against Eckerd University in his first game as a Bobcat. In 2012, Livingston was named captain and led his team to its third consecutive regular season Sun Conference title. For his efforts, Livingston was among 11 second-team All-Conference honorees and an Academic All-Conference selection. He also received the STU men's soccer Leadership award as well as the coveted Silver Bobcat, bestowed upon the student-athlete who best exemplifies the NAIA's Champions of Character five core values.

“The best thing about St. Thomas was joining an eclectic blend of young men from different cultures, countries, and backgrounds, then having the opportunity to galvanize each other and become successful together,” said Livingston.

Miami United played its first official game of the season on Saturday, May 4^th, winning 3-0 against the Cape Coral Hurricanes to put them at the top of the NPSL Sunshine Division.

The team currently trains and plays at the Ted Hendricks stadium in Hialeah. To support Miami United and watch Livingston in action, click here for the season schedule.