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GREENSBORO, NC – As one of the longest tenured franchises in the United Soccer Leagues, the Carolina Dynamo are no strangers to producing professional players.

”I know we’re up there,” said Dynamo head coach Joe Brown in reference to the 23 Dynamo alumni currently playing professionally. “We’ve always been very active in recruiting and want our team to be a stepping stone to the next level.”

Names that have graced the pitch wearing the red and white range from long-time veterans such as striker Stern John (Crystal Palace, England) and goalkeeper Jon Busch (Chicago Fire) to players that are a bit more green in striker Marcus Tracy (Aalborg BK, Denmark) and midfielder Sam Cronin (Toronto FC).

Last month, Garry Lewis (left) and Cody Arnoux (right) became the latest Dynamo players to ascend to the professional ranks. Lewis moved up within the United Soccer Leagues, finding his way to Real Maryland of the USL Second Division, while Arnoux made a high profile move to Everton FC of the Barclays English Premiership.

Losing both within a week at the beginning of July made things difficult for Brown.

“Cody and Garry were two of the players that pushed us into the playoffs this season,” said Brown. “As hard as it was, we know that we’re a developmental club so we were happy to let them go when their opportunities arose.”

Arnoux was the second Premier Development League player to be sought after by the Liverpool based club this year, after Ventura County Fusion midfielder Anton Peterlin signed with the team earlier in the summer. Both players had training stints with the Blues earlier in 2009 impressing manager David Moyes enough to be offered one-year deals on Merseyside.

“This is a thrilling time for Cody and for our club as well,” said Brown. “He’s a player that started with our U20’s and worked his way up our developmental structure, maturing while becoming a more technical and potent striker.

He’s the kind of guy you always want up top because he combines well with whoever he’s paired with and remains dangerous throughout matches.”

In only seven games with Carolina this season, Arnoux tallied eight goals and three assists.

Holding midfielder Garry Lewis also used his time with the Dynamo this season to put his talents in the front shop window.

After a meniscus tear suffered in March forced the North Carolina alum to the sidelines for three months, Lewis joined Joe Brown’s side with hopes of making the next step. With only five matches under his belt, all of which Carolina won, Lewis penned a deal with the USL Second Division’s Real Maryland on July 8.

“We were fortunate to have Garry for the time we did,” said Brown. “His experience was good to have around the team and the presence he brought in midfield opened up the park for our quick players to find space and create more opportunities.”

Lewis was happy with the chance Brown gave him ."I was thrilled when Joe approached me to play,” said Lewis. “The PDL and specifically the Dynamo give a great opportunity for college guys to get exposure and to be immersed in a professional environment. I’m thankful for what the club did in order to help me recover while giving me a place to move up to the next level.”

Anthony Hudson, Lewis’ new boss with the Monarchs, has been pleased with his midseason acquisition.

“Garry’s been a joy to have come in half way through our season,” said Hudson. “I wish we could have had him the whole time. Of late he’s been absolutely superb for us in the middle of the park and has been a big help in getting us to the playoffs.”

Making their first postseason appearance, Lewis and the Monarchs return to North Carolina Wednesday night when they take on the Charlotte Eagles at 7:00 pm. The clubs last met about a month ago, with Charlotte besting Real 3-0.

“At the pro level results mean everything,” said Lewis. “We stumbled here and there throughout the season but we’ve made it to the playoffs and the team is looking forward to Wednesday night.”

The Dynamo could have used Arnoux and Lewis in their own postseason, where the club was upset 3-1 by the Cary Clarets in the first round of the PDL playoffs on July 21.

It’s a result that Brown came to terms with, given his club’s stature.

“Our situation isn’t the easiest,” he said. “We always look to be competitive while wanting to help guys develop their abilities as players.

We understand that sometimes a professional team’s schedule cannot fit with our own. Losing Garry and Cody just before this year’s playoffs did not help our chances of winning the PDL, but we were proud to have helped them along the way.”