USL News Release

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

TAMPA, Fla. – United Soccer Leagues announced that it has extended its agreement with the United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) to serve as the player registration and insurance administrators for the Super Y-League. A fellow organizational member of the United States Soccer Federation, USSSA has been facilitating USL youth league registration and insurance since 2008.

USL’s partnership with USSSA Soccer, an arm of the organization created in 2001, allows clubs to directly register players with their respective USL youth teams via the Demosphere registration system on USLsoccer.com. USSSA will also continue to serve as the insurance conduit for the Super Y-League.

In addition to enhanced administration benefits, the registration and insurance aspects of the agreement reduces player registration costs for Super Y-League teams and provides member clubs the opportunity to register their teams and players at all levels with USSSA.

“Our partnership with USSSA has been a huge added benefit for our clubs during the past three seasons,” USL Senior Director of Youth League Development Brian D’Amico said. “Not only has it streamlined the process, it has significantly enhanced our ability to service our clubs while reducing their costs as well.”

Based in Kissimmee, Florida, USSSA is a non-profit organization whose mission is to develop and expand the game of soccer in the United States. Founded in 1968, USSSA originally stood for United States Slow-pitch Softball Association.

In 1997 at the National Meeting in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, the United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) became the first multi-sport governing body to oversee slow and fast pitch softball, baseball, basketball and golf. In July of 2001, USSSA added soccer to its multi-sport organization by becoming a member of U.S. Soccer. In the past decade, they have aggressively grown their soccer membership base by providing high quality / low cost services to competitive and recreational teams throughout the country.

“We are very pleased to have renewed our agreement with USL and look forward to continuing the relationship we have built over the past two seasons,” USSSA Vice President of Soccer Craig Scriven said. “The system they have created for their members offers a high level of youth soccer in an environment that focuses on development; we are excited to be able to assist in helping the youth game grow throughout the country.”

Demosphere has been a partner with USL since 2003, providing the official website USLsoccer.com and additional online administration and database solutions such as senior league player registration, player statistical management and youth team management.

USL Feature

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

By NICHOLAS MURRAY

From his view from the sidelines, the opening game of Orlando City’s preseason and the club’s first home game at the Citrus Bowl couldn’t have gone any better for Head Coach Adrian Heath.

“We were really pleased with everything,” Heath said by phone. “Obviously coming to a new city and starting fresh, the players that played did us proud. Considering we’d only been five days into preseason, regardless of the result and it’s always very nice to win 1-0, we were more concerned with the way that we played, and I was very happy with that.”

Facing Major League Soccer’s Philadelphia Union, Orlando City scored the only goal of the game in the 19th minute, a curling free kick by Lewis Neal delighting the team’s new supporter’s club The Ruckus. Heath was very pleased to see the following the club had already been able to build in the time it had been in Florida, with a drum troupe hailing from Trinidad and Tobago also adding to the atmosphere.

“The atmosphere in the stadium is always something you worry about in a stadium that size when there’s not a lot of people in it, but our new supporter’s club were behind the goal and they were absolutely fantastic,” Heath said. “Everyone who was in the stadium was really enthusiastic, which was a great start for us.”

It certainly helped that the Lions put in a strong opening performance, opening quite a few eyes that were seeing the team for the first time.

“It was amazing,” Orlando City CEO Steve Donner said. “We had a tremendous amount of ex-pats up in the British pub, The Red Lion, who were seeing the team for the first time and they were uniformly and unanimously had their thumbs up on the level of play. They were actually shocked by the quality of play.”

The victory against MLS competition in the Lions’ first game as a franchise strengthened USL PRO’s place as the strongest, best operated and most sophisticated North American men’s professional soccer league below MLS, both on and off the field. Donner hosted more than 500 corporate guests at the game, and was very pleased with the feedback those in attendance gave the club.

“The number exceeded our expectations, blew away the number we were expecting,” Donner said. “The number of testimonials and positive comments about the experience, the team, the goal, the atmosphere, it’s been a tremendously uplifting experience for our staff and our players to get this kind of welcome.”

“Everything that we’ve heard from the people who were invited to come to the opening event has been incredibly supportive,” Heath added. “They couldn’t believe how well it went and how good the facilities were. Everything was first class, on and off the field it was a huge success.”

Heath, of course, is more concerned with the on-field matters. The Lions get another crack at MLS competition this Thursday and Saturday at the Walt Disney World Pro Soccer Classic, where they first meet 2010 MLS Cup runner-up FC Dallas and then will face either Toronto FC or the Houston Dynamo in their second game.

“Our preseason is very ambitious, but I think it sets the tone for what we expect from our team and our organization,” Donner said. “We want to be competitive in our league, we want to have a good showing in the Open Cup and be able to compete on the field with MLS teams and international teams that come [for exhibitions].”

With a strong group of players that includes Jamie Watson, Keiron Bernard and USSF Division 2-Pro League Rookie of the Year Max Griffin returning from the USSFD2 side that finished with the second-best regular season record and the addition of players like Neal and Jamaican international Demar Stewart, the Lions look like a side that will be among the contenders for the USL PRO championship and that could make a run in the U.S. Open Cup.

Heath doesn’t want to look that far ahead, but he’s certainly optimistic about the potential his side has for the upcoming summer.

“I think the one thing that came through from Saturday night was the level of performance,” Heath said of the Lions’ victory against the Union. “I think the shape of the team, the commitment of the team and the way we went about the game I think was first class. I don’t want to get carried away because it is only one game, but I’m very excited about what this team can achieve this year.”

USL News Release

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

TAMPA, Fla. - United Soccer Leagues is proud to announce a partnership with Prozone Sports, the global leaders in performance analysis. Prozone will be on hand during the February 24-28 (boys) and March 3-6 (girls), 2011 USL Super Y-League Olympic Development Program camps at IMG Soccer Academy in Bradenton, Fla.

During the event, Prozone will analyze matches for player and team performance. Data and video analysis will be used to benchmark USL Super Y ODP player performance and further develop coaching curriculums.

Prozone works with more than 175 clients worldwide including soccer giants Manchester United and Real Madrid, as well as the United States Soccer Federation, nine Major League Soccer clubs and more than 40 colleges and universities in the U.S.

USL National Technical Director Peter Mellor will direct the camps, and was eager to utilize the Prozone system.

“I am very excited to have Prozone as a part of our 2011 ODP program,” Mellor said. “This player analysis program is a great way for players to enhance their college CV. Prozone gives coaches the ability to evaluate game play and player performance, and to use data and video as coaching tools.”

Similar to European soccer, video and data analysis has played an important role in the enhancement of player and team performance, opposition scouting and player recruitment throughout major league sports in North America.

“North American soccer is increasing in stature and competitiveness at all levels, and the value of performance analysis is advancing correspondingly,” Prozone Business Development Manager Andrew Opatkiewicz said. “USL has an impressive track record of developing players through its youth competitions, the W-League and Premier Development League, and its professional tiers. The aim of Prozone is to further enhance the resources USL has on hand to monitor and benchmark player and team performance and continue to develop college and professional athletes.”

USL and Prozone will make performance analysis of ODP camp matches available to individual players as well. Player Profiles will be created to present objective analysis on players’ technical and tactical performance during the camp. Profiles will include video and interactive graphs benchmarking player performance based on key performance indicators (passing/crossing accuracy, shots on goal, etc.) against the rest of the field.

So far, more than 120 of the players participating in the ODP camps have signed-up for Player Profile. To learn more about performance analysis at the USL ODP Camp, visit www.prozonesports.com/odp.

IMG Academies is the world’s largest and most advanced multi-sport training facility for athletic, academic and personal development. During the span of 30-plus years, the Academy’s advanced training methods have helped countless youth, adult, collegiate and professional athletes improve in sport and life by providing an energetic and inspiring atmosphere on a 400-acre campus.
 

Rochester Rhinos News Release -- www.rhinossoccer.com

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- With the training camp scheduled to begin next month, the Rochester Rhinos announced that they have added two players to their roster. Joining the club are midfielder Brad Stisser and defender Will Traynor.

Stisser, a 24-year old native of California, played with AC St. Louis in 2010 where he scored five goals in 24 appearances. Prior to joining St. Louis, Stisser played collegiate soccer at Loyola Marymount after transferring as a sophomore from Coastal Carolina in 2006. While in college, he was a member of the Colorado Rapids U-23’s (2007-08) and the Real Colorado Foxes (2009) of the Premier Development League (USL).

He was a Colorado All-State selection and named the state’s Best of the Best by the Rocky Mountain News during his senior season at Highlands Ranch High School.

“Brad is a left sided attacking player who can play in the middle or out wide on the left” said Rhinos Head Coach Bob Lilley. “He is somebody who has a good engine and is capable of scoring and setting up goals.

Traynor is a graduate of the University of South Carolina where played four seasons with the Gamecocks. The 6’2” defender was a Sports and Entertainment major and was a four-time Conference USA Academic All-Star while at South Carolina. He was awarded the conference’s Commissioner’s Academic Medal awarded to student athletes with a cumulative GPA of 3.75 or higher.

“Will is a player that started all four years at South Carolina and has good size and good athleticism” said Lilley. ‘He has very good feet playing out of the back and reads the game very well. He will also add a physical dimension on the back.”
 

And then there were three. Taylor Graham, Roger Levesque and Zach Scott are the final three members of the USL-1 Seattle Sounders team still on the Sounders FC roster.

In the past two seasons, these three players have managed to etch themselves into the club’s history books. Scott started the franchise’s first match. Levesque has scored critical goals in the US Open Cup, including the winning goal in the 2009 final. Taylor Graham has been limited by injuries but is a clubhouse favorite and provides a vocal presence in defense.

More importantly, the three 30-year-olds have helped cultivate Seattle’s locker-room atmosphere, taking with them the merry mentality that characterized the USL teams.

“The thing that was great about the USL team is it was just a group of guys who loved to play, loved being around each other,” Levesque said. “We would just come out for half the year and put everything we had out there.

FULL STORY

F.C. New York News Release -- www.fcnewyorksoccer.com

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

GARDEN CITY, N.Y. - F.C. New York is pleased to announce the signing of talented striker Graciano Brito, pending USL and USSF approval. Brito had been playing with Clube Operario Desportivo of the Portuguese League, and the former Quinnipiac University standout is excited about returning to the area to compete in USL PRO. The 6-foot-2 striker has a nose for the net and was named to ESPN Soccernet’s Top Six Senior College Forwards in 2008.

“It's privilege and a dream come true to be playing in New York City," Brito said. "I am exciting to be a part of F.C. New York."

In his final season at Quinnipiac in 2008, Brito was named the Northeast Conference Player of the Year for the second consecutive season, becoming the fifth player in league history to win the award in back-to-back years. He led the NEC in goals (18), goals per game and points per game en route to helping the Bobcats reach the postseason for the first time since 2004.

Brito finished his four-year career with Quinnipiac as the program's Division I career leader in goals (40) and points (92). His 18 goals and 39 points in 2008 were Division I program single-season records, surpassing Everson Maciel's 2001 season marks.

“Graciano is a gifted player and will make an impact immediately,” F.C. New York Technical Director, Matt Weston said.

Brito was a two-time All-American selection by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. He was also named a member of the College Soccer News All-American Third Team as a senior after finishing as the national statistical champion in goals per game and points per game in his final season at Quinnipiac.

For additional information regarding F.C. New York, contact Regina Heacker at 866-827-0154 or visit www.fcnewyorksoccer.com.

AMFC Summit Assault News Release -- new.akronmetrofc.org

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

AKRON, Ohio – We now have summer-time soccer in Akron, Ohio! The Akron Metro Futbol Club Summit Assault team is the newest member of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League (PDL). AMFC Summit Assault will play in downtown Akron with a 16-game regular season beginning May 14, 2011 against the Chicago Fire Premier.

The PDL, which contains 64 clubs throughout the USA and Canada, has provided a launching point for college-aged players to develop into professional prospects. This year, 37 of the 54 players selected in the Major League Soccer SuperDraft had previously played in the PDL. The AMFC Summit Assault is part of the Great Lakes Division, one of the most competitive divisions in the league. The club will play teams from Chicago, Louisville, Cincinnati, Detroit, South Bend, as well as Toronto, London and Hamilton of Canada.

Many of the teams in the Great Lakes Division have produced great players that are now playing professionally in Major League Soccer or abroad, including Darlington Nagbe, Perry Kitchen, Zarek Valentin, Kofi Sarkodie, Rich Balchan and Michael Nanchoff, all of whom were selected in the first round of the 2011 MLS SuperDraft .

Premier Development League teams are comprised primarily of players who aspire to play professionally after college. Many of the players in the PDL hail from their team’s community and have developed into outstanding players at top colleges. The AMFC Summit Assault will be comprised of players mainly from universities and colleges in Ohio. The club’s head coach, schedule and stadium will be revealed at a later date.

This is a unique opportunity for both adults and children to be associated with regional players they can follow. AMFC Summit Assault is a non-profit organization team.

Orlando City News Release -- www.orlandocitysoccer.com

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

ORLANDO, Fla. - Orlando City Soccer Club is proud to announce the signing of midfielder Luke Boden to a two-year contract, pending United States Soccer Federation approval.

“We’re delighted that Luke has signed with us,” said Head Coach Adrian Heath. “We believe he still has a lot of potential. He had a great upbringing at Sheffield Wednesday. He was looking for a fresh start here in the U.S., and we’re happy to provide him with the opportunity.”

Boden began his career with English side Sheffield Wednesday when he was just 18 years old. He has also spent time on loan with several clubs including Chesterfield and Northampton Town. In all, he has made 27 appearances in the Football League, FA Cup, and League Cup.

“Luke has a lot of upside,” said Heath. “I believe he’ll mature and develop here with Orlando City and become a major player in US soccer.”

The 22-year-old midfielder saw his first action with Orlando City in the inaugural match, a 1-0 victory over Major League Soccer’s Philadelphia Union. Boden started the match and played 73 minutes, leaving with the match well in hand for Orlando City.

Los Angeles Blues News Release -- www.bluessoccerclub.com

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

SANTA MONICA, Calif. -- The Los Angeles Blues of USL PRO have added two new players to their team, including former Los Angeles Galaxy forward and midfielder Israel Sesay.

Along with 20-year-old Sesay, 21-year-old defender Josh Suggs signed with the club. Head Coach Charlie Naimo said that both of the players add something unique to the team.

"Adding these young and versatile players to our mix was a critical step in building our team,” said Naimo. “They each offer a different quality.”

Sesay’s MLS background and Suggs' four-year college experience at Humboldt State University are just a few of the credentials the players bring to the team.

Naimo is excited to see how both players succeed for the LA Blues on the field.

“Josh is a strong left-sided player and has the potential to do extremely well at the back,” said Naimo. “Also, Israel is a young and exciting player who we think can cause problems for our opponents.”

For more information about the Los Angeles Blues, visit the official team website at labluesprosoccer.com. Season tickets, flex plans, and individual game tickets can be purchased online or by calling 310-264-4649. Stay up to date with all the latest team news by visiting the Los Angeles Blues facebook page and following the team on twitter @LABLUESPRO.

The government of Antigua & Barbuda is fully behind the country’s lone professional football outfit, Antigua Barracuda FC, as they prepare for their debut in the United Soccer League (USL) on April 17 at Stanford Cricket Grounds located just west of Sticky Wicket Restaurant at Coolidge.

This is according to Chairman of the outfit and General Secretary of Antigua & Barbuda Football Association (ABFA) Gordon “Banks” Derrick, who said earlier this week they had made a presentation to Cabinet who is now on board with what the ‘cudas represent.

“The Antigua government is fully on board with the Antigua Barracuda Football Club,” Derrick said. “A presentation was made to Cabinet and they saw the importance of where we are going with this and how well it will work towards the development of the country; so we have been in direct contact with the Ministry of Tourism through the Tourism Authority and discussions are ongoing as we continue to finetune and make sure everything is in place; but the Tourism Authority, through the government of Antigua & Barbuda will be fully on board.”

FULL STORY

USL Feature

Thursday, February 24, 2011

By NICHOLAS MURRAY

The USL Super Y-League Boys Olympic Development Program camp opens today as 188 of the best players in North America across four age-groups come to the IMG Soccer Academy in Bradenton, Fla. for four days of intensive training.

The ODP Program, which brings players from across the United States and Canada, is a crucial component of the USL Super Y-League, offering the best players from the U13 to U17 age groups a chance to receive top-quality coaching and the opportunity to be scouted by U.S. National Team and college coaches.

USL National Technical Director Peter Mellor, who has spent the past 18 years as a member of the U.S. National Staff and 25 years as an ODP coach, will direct the camps.

For some in attendance, the camp won’t be a new experience as a number of players are returning from last year’s camp. Among the players in that group is Rece Buckmaster, who last year was named to the camp’s 1996 All-Select team after impressing coaches with his ability.

For Buckmaster, who began playing competitively when he was nine years old, that affirmation was a big confidence boost he was able to return to the Fort Wayne Fever with as he pushes to fulfill his goal of playing at the next level.

“I just got a big boost of confidence that I could play with these guys and have fun,” Buckmaster said of the 2010 camp. “It’s helped me bring what I’ve learned back to my club team and teach them some things.”

Even when he was just starting to play competitively, there were indicators that Buckmaster could be something special. According to Fort Wayne Fever Director of Coaching Bobby Poursanidis, the drive that Buckmaster showed even at a young age set him apart.

“He’s a very driven kid; he never shied away from anything; he applied himself,” Poursanidis said. “His technical [ability] wasn’t completely sharp at that age, but it was definitely getting there. I think that’s what’s delighted us is how he’s evolved to where now at 14 years old where his technical [ability] is a lot better and I think it’s got a lot to do with his drive and his persistence and wanting to be the best he can be.”

Buckmaster himself talks about the enjoyment he gets from being challenged to raise the level of his game. While he plays the bulk of his soccer against fellow 1996 birth year competition, Buckmaster also occasionally competes against older players in the Fever’s men’s indoor league.

“I like to play with older people because they’re stronger, they’re faster and it’s more of a challenge to try and do things,” Buckmaster said. “It’s fun; it’s really cool because you can try and take some of their moves and learn from what they’ve been through and try to get to the level they got to or even further.”

That type of drive is what Poursanidis believe will allow Buckmaster to reach the goals he’s set for himself. Growing up in Indiana, Buckmaster said he would like to play for the renowned Indiana University men’s program one day, and hopefully turn professional after that.

With his approach to the game, and the confidence he gained from last year’s camp, Poursanidis believes that could become a reality sooner rather than later.

“I think his commitment was raised even more, he wanted to do a lot more,” Poursanidis said. “We had to slow him down a little bit because he wanted to do so much more, and I think what it’s going to do for him this year is he’s going to go in and think ‘I was one of the best here last year; I feel like I can come in and accomplish similar things and hopefully impress a lot more people.’

“He wants to make it to that next level; he wants to take every possible angle to get to that next level and he’s got the attitude for it. I’m excited for him.”

Los Angeles Blues News Release -- www.bluesprosoccer.com

Thursday, February 24, 2011

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Blues of USL PRO are proud to announce the signing of star Argentine midfielder Walter Gaitán to a one-year contract, pending USL and USSF approval.

Gaitán, 33, has spent the past 10 years as one of the top offensive stars of the Mexican Premier Division with Tigres UANL and Necaxa, scoring 76 goals in 197 games since 2002.

“I am very happy to be coming to the LA Blues.” Gaitán said. “I expect to be a big part of the team and I come ready to do big things in USL PRO. I want to be close to fans so I can interact and pose as an example for young players.

“I’m excited to be arriving soon and to be able to put my experience to work, and create a long-term relationship with the team and fans.”

A native of La Rioja, Argentina, Gaitán began his career in Argentina with Rosario Central in 1997. He moved to Villarreal CF of the Spanish Liga in 1998 and after two years in Spain, he returned to Argentina in 2000, joining the prestigious Boca Juniors.

Gaitán moved to Mexico for the 2002 Apertura, signing with Tigres UANL. After scoring four goals in 15 games in his first season, he added eight in the 2003 Clausura. He was considered one of the top midfielders in the Mexican league for several years and was the top goal scorer of the 2005 Apertura. He was also named best player of the 2006 Clausura.

"We are extremely excited to add a world class player like Walter,” Blues Head Coach Charlie Naimo said. “Breaking down defenses and scoring goals is not easy and throughout his career Walter has proven success doing it."
 

Orlando City News Release -- www.orlandocitysoccer.com

Thursday, February 24, 2011

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- It was an even match, but Orlando City fell 1-0 to Major League Soccer’s FC Dallas in the first round of the Walt Disney World Pro Soccer Classic at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

“Overall I’m quite pleased with the way we played,” said Orlando Head Coach Adrian Heath. “We gave the ball away too much, and paid the price.”

The early portion of the match went back and forth. Dallas controlled the first five minutes of play, but Orlando rebounded quickly and gained control of the match for the next five. The parry and thrust continued until a Dallas corner in the 30th minute.

2010 MLS MVP David Ferreira floated a perfect service to the back post, finding Brek Shea skying above City keeper Miguel Gallardo’s outstretched arms and the Lions defense. Shea dropped the ball into the six-yard box, and let the chaos do its work. Milton Rodriguez found the ball in the scrum and poked it past a stunned Gallardo who had no chance for a save.

City responded immediately, but the vaunted FC Dallas defense was too much for the Lions to overcome. Every attack showed promise until it entered the attacking third.

The Lions, though, almost found an equalizer just before halftime, in a moment reminiscent of their opening preseason game against the Philadelphia Union. After Jamie Watson was fouled just outside the penalty area to the right of the goal, Lewis Neal stepped up to take the shot and struck a near-exact replica of his goal from Saturday night, only for FC Dallas keeper Kevin Hartman to make a diving save, putting the ball just wide.

Near the hour-mark, Dallas began to control the match flow. Orlando continued to press hard for the equalizer, putting them in prime position for counter-attacks by the speedy Dallas wingers. The City defense bent, but never broke again, thanks in part to the inspired play of new signing Demar Stewart.

Stewart showed every bit of his international pedigree that included stops in England and China with an impressive effort. Twice he saved shots as the last man when reserve keeper Sean Kelley was caught off his line. The Jamaican international was the clear “Man of the Match” for Orlando.

Despite their best efforts, the Lions were never able to equalize. The 1-0 loss puts Orlando at 1-1-0 for the preseason with five matches left. Orlando City will face Toronto FC in the third place match on Saturday at 6 p.m. 

USL Feature

Friday, February 25, 2011

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – It was quite possibly the best wake-up call of Scott Gordon’s life.

“I was actually sleeping,” Gordon said of the day of the MLS SuperDraft, “and Barry Gorman, our GM, called me and told they were in Baltimore and had drafted me. I was speechless, I was really excited and couldn’t wait to take this opportunity.”

Suddenly Gordon was a member of FC Dallas, selected with the 53rd pick of the draft. For the former member of the Premier Development League’s Baton Rouge Capitals and NCAA Division II Lynn University, the hard work had just begun. The 6-foot-4 center back has tried to take it in stride as best he can.

“Once all the veteran players helped me adjust to the atmosphere and the level, I think it’s been good,” Gordon said. “I’ve really enjoyed myself.”

That Gordon was even on a Major League Soccer team’s radar is testament to the depth of scouting some teams, including FC Dallas, employ. As Coach Schellas Hyndman points out, while there are lots of players in college soccer who are known commodities, digging deeper to find a player like Gordon can bring a big reward down the line.

Dallas scouted Gordon while he was at Lynn, but also got a chance to watch him compete in a scrimmage against the U.S. U20 National Team in Fort Lauderdale shortly before the MLS Combine, and his performance there helped persuade Gorman and Hyndman that the raw materials Gordon possessed were too good to pass up.

“The thing that he brings is his athleticism,” Hyndman said. “He’s strong in the air, he’s courageous, he fights hard and if you have all those type of qualities the soccer sense, the positioning, the team tactics, you can learn that. If you come in with good skills but you don’t have the athletic ability, you might not make it. I think he’s on the upside right now.”

Gordon believes the experience he received with the Capitals is part of why his game has reached the level it has. Getting to play in a Capitals side that reached the PDL playoffs after finishing second in the Southeast Division, Gordon was able to work hard on his game.

“I played with some really good players and we had a good team and did really well,” Gordon said. “Some of the older players there really helped me fine-tune my game a bit and sharpen up my weak points, they really helped me out.”

With the return of the Reserve League to MLS this season, the opportunity for Gordon to make the FC Dallas squad has certainly increased. But he has also seen a lot of playing time during the preseason thanks to center backs Ugo Ihemelu and George John being out with injuries. According to Hyndman, Gordon has made the most of the added time on the field.

“When you get a rookie to come up, they might not play a lot of minutes,” Hyndman said. “Our first-round draft pick Bobby Warshaw is a very good player, but he only played 10 minutes today and Scott played 90 because we have the necessity of using him right now, so he’s growing quickly because he’s getting playing time.”

Gordon is appreciative of the opportunity he’s getting because of the absences to the side’s regular starting lineup, but is also eager to learn from both Ihemelu and John when they return to the field.

“I’m looking forward to when they get back and get a little more experience off them and learn from them,” Gordon said. “Hopefully do the best I can and we’ll see what happens.”

Whatever does happen, Gordon’s story appears to have a lot of chapters left as he begins his professional career.
 

USL Feature

Friday, February 25, 2011

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – As the song goes, oftentimes you don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone.

That was certainly the case for Orlando City’s Jamie Watson.

A former U.S. U17 international who started at the 2003 World Cup, and first-round MLS SuperDraft pick from the University of North Carolina when he was taken 13th overall by Real Salt Lake in 2005, the saying ‘too much, too soon’ could definitely apply.

That was certainly the way Watson was feeling in 2008, sitting in Austin, Texas with a bleak sheet of paper in front of him.

“I think finding out when I had to sign a paper that said I was no longer a pro athlete,” Watson said, “that I was an amateur playing PDL with the Aztex because they were the only team that wanted me, it was either stop pointing the finger at everybody else and blame myself and figure it out or keep having the same thing happen and effectively be out of the game.”

Watson’s story, though, is one of a man who has fought his way back from the edge, and who is now one of the most recognizable players in USL PRO.

“I like his endeavor,” Orlando City coach Adrian Heath said. “He never knows when he’s given up and he bounces back every time. You can criticize him as much as you want and the next day he comes in and he’s full of it again. When he plays at his full potential, he’s a problem for the opposition.”

Heath was the coach that threw Watson a lifeline with the Aztex, and Watson responded by scoring seven goals in 13 games and helping the Aztex to the PDL playoffs. But it wasn’t until the following season when he signed with the Wilmington Hammerheads that the 5-foot-9 attacking midfielder really felt he was getting his career back on the right path.

With a new attitude and work ethic, Watson led USL-2 with 12 goals in 16 games, earning regular season MVP honors. Needless to say, Watson is now looking forward to get the opportunity to return to Legion Field this season as a member of the Lions.

“I’d be lying if I didn’t say I had circled that one on the calendar and knew it was June 4,” Watson said. “I have a lot of great memories there, Dave Irving helped resurrect my career there when I was in a very difficult situation, he was there and gave me a chance and I’ll always be grateful for that. It’ll be weird walking to the other locker room and sitting on the other side of Legion Field, but I can’t wait for that one.”

While his coach and his teammates get to see the positive energy Watson brings to practice and gameday on a daily basis up close, fans are now also getting to see that side of Watson through the medium of Twitter. With 610 followers, and rising, Watson is enjoying the chance to interact with fans at his @Jamiewatson77 handle.

“I enjoy it because I take it light-hearted,” Watson said. “You’ll never hear me talk too specifically about what I do with the team, but I enjoy having a way to be connected to the fans, and I’m a fan of it too, I mean there are people I follow that I think are really cool and if someone looks to me and asks me a question, it’s the least I can do to get involved.”

What’s most important for Watson now, though, is to continue to connect on the field. After seeing his former teammate Eddie Johnson jump to Major League Soccer with the Portland Timbers in the offseason, Watson is hopeful he can follow a similar path back into U.S. Soccer’s top flight.

“I’d like to put myself in a similar situation to him,” Watson said. “I respect Eddie a lot and I hope he has all the success in the world in Portland, as we all do. We all loved playing with Eddie last year, he was awesome.

“[For me] it wasn’t realistic in 2008 or 2009, because I still needed to grow up, but maybe now it’s getting to the point where I might be able to handle that if I get back in that situation again and if I did the things I’ve learned since then it would mean I’d never slip back again.”

Whether that happens or not, Watson is still thrilled to have the opportunity he has to play the game he loves.

“I played a game of soccer tonight, and I’m going to do it again on Saturday night,” Watson said. “This is the same thing I was doing when I was (three-feet tall), and now I get to keep doing it and people come watch and this is my job. It’s not a day of work when you’re doing something you love, and even before every game now I’ll close my eyes and say a prayer that I’m so thankful I am to be doing this because it was so close to it being gone.”
 

Dayton Dutch Lions News Release - www.dutchlionsfc.com

Friday, February 25, 2011

DAYTON, Ohio – A trio of top players from local Universities have committed to playing for the Dayton Dutch Lions FC in the 2011 USL W-League season. After a thorough review of the 45 women in attendance at the open tryout in February, the evaluators extended invitations to Jen Agueci of Wright State University, and Emily Hebbeler and Kelli Pawelko, both of the University of Cincinnati.

Agueci, originally from Toronto, Canada, is a member of the Wright State University women’s team, playing center midfield. She has been a key player for the Raiders, named to the All Newcomer Team in 2007, as well as First Team All League, and MVP in 2009.

“I am excited to be one of the first women to get a go at playing with this club," Agueci said.

Hebbeler comes from Northern Kentucky where she played club soccer for Hammer FC. A Speech Pathology major, Hebbeler has been UC’s leading scorer for the past two years leading the lady Bearcats to many victories.

“I am glad to have a new opportunity to play with girls from around the area," Hebbeler said. "I am a lover of new experiences, and look forward to getting to know the Dutch culture!”

Pawelko is a three-year starter for the UC women’s soccer team and has been named Big East player of the week two times. She is currently studying middle school education. Pawelko’s playing experience extends back to her upbringing in Chicago, where she played for the prestigious soccer club, Eclipse.

She also competed in the W-League in 2010 representing the Cleveland Internationals.

“I’m excited for the opportunity to play in one of the most completive divisions of the USL W-League,” Pawelko said.

Head Coach Mark Batman was optimistic about the abilities his first three committed players.

“I’m extremely excited to have Jen, Emily, and Kelly be the first players to join our family. All three are great players that will bring a lot to our team. The team is slowly piecing together and I think we will have a great inaugural season.”

The women kick off competition in the inaugural season on May 14 in Atlanta. The home opener for the ladies will take place on May 28 versus the Charlotte Lady Eagles. The summer will be full of events for the Dayton Dutch Lions FC ladies with 10 regular season matches, exhibition play, scheduled player appearances in the local community, camps, clinics, and intensive training.
 

By Tom Leiss, Fredericksburg.com

Monday, February 28, 2011

WOODBRIDGE, VA – Former Northern Virginia Majestic standout Kerri Butler has signed a contract with the Atlanta Beat of Women’s Professional Soccer. Butler was a mainstay on the Northern Virginia roster from 2006 through 2009, starting her first game as Majestics goalkeeper at the age of 16.

Butler, now 21, is a senior at West Virginia University. She will have to leave school to play for Atlanta. She plans to return in the fall to complete her final semester and graduate with a degree in exercise physiology.

Injury kept Butler from playing in the 2010 W-League season, as she opted to remain in Morgantown to build back her strength.

Butler gathered with teammates and her parents in January to follow the WPS draft online but was not one of the 24 players selected.

Undaunted, Butler traveled to several open tryouts. Included was a car trip to New York in January. That was followed by a drive halfway to Philadelphia that ended because of a snowstorm, then a flight to Atlanta earlier this month. None of those trips resulted in an offer.

"It was definitely frustrating when people call and e-mail you and then you don’t hear back," she said.

But the Beat’s coaches were impressed and eventually called to offer Butler a contract last Wednesday.

Butler said when the call from Beat assistant coach Russ Stroud came, she was studying for a quiz.

"I was very excited when I got the call," she said. "[Stroud] called and said the team would really like to bring me onto the roster to gain experience because they saw a lot of potential."

Butler started 80 of her 82 games in four years at WVU. The goalie set school records for shutouts in a season (14 in 2010) and a career (44), and was second all-time in minutes played with 7,559 - including playing every minute of every game in her senior season.

She also helped the Mountaineers win Big East Conference Championships in 2007 and 2010.

Butler said she will start off as the third goalie on the Beat’s roster behind veterans Allison Whitworth and Allyson Lipsher.

The Beat also boast several players with national team experience, such as defender Cat Whitehill. Buter said she’s looking forward to playing with veterans of that level.

"It’ll be a great experience not only to meet the girls, but to play with them as well," she said.

Butler has set and reached many short- and long-term goals. But, just getting on the roster doesn’t mean she has reached her ultimate goal.

"This is just another step to reaching my main goal, which is to get to play [professionally]," she said.

The WPS is entering its third year of play with teams currently based in Atlanta, Boston, Buffalo, Philadelphia, New York/New Jersey and Washington, D.C.

Atlanta opens its season April 9, at home against the Boston Breakers.
 

North Sound SeaWolves News Release - www.seawolvesfc.com

Friday, February 25, 2011

KIRKLAND, Wash. - English standout Adam Nowland has signed on as player-coach for the North Sound SeaWolves’ inaugural season.
Nowland will serve as assistant coach to Head Coach Alex Silva as well as be a field player for the nascent squad.

“I was looking for an opportunity to continue playing as well as move a bit more into the coaching side of things,” Nowland said. “I was told about the new team coming into the PDL, I contacted Alex, we had a discussion and it all went from there.”

Nowland started playing in 1998 at Blackpool, becoming the youngest Blackpool player to ever score a goal. He played for nine British clubs including Nottingham Forest and West Ham United before landing with the USSF Division 2 League’s Tampa franchise in 2010.

Nowland played a realist tune when asked about the upcoming season. It would be silly, he said, to think the team will win right away. Nevertheless, he’s placing his faith in the development of younger players.

“I’m here to help them as much as I can,” he said.

The ultimate goal is to have a team the community can be proud of, he said. Entertaining, team-oriented and above all, disciplined.

“I know what it takes to be successful,” he said. “Putting everything they have every training session and definitely on match day. Sacrifice themselves for the team.”

The fact that it is the team’s first season won’t be used as a crutch or an excuse, he predicted. Being a player/coach will be a ’balancing act’ for him, Nowland said.

“Alex is the boss,” he said. “I’m here to assist Alex in any way I can. It’s Alex’s say on how we play and how we go about things.”

A Nowland team will have a stout defense, and it will build on from there.

“Until we see what talent is out there and what players we’ve got, we can’t talk much about a style of play,” he said.

Nowland admitted he was looking forward to being part of the team’s on-field success.

“I like coaching but I’m desperate to get on that field,” he said.

Orlando City News Release -- www.orlandocitysoccer.com

Saturday, February 26, 2011

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Orlando City rebounded from Thursday night’s loss to earn its second preseason victory against Major League Soccer opposition as Ian Fuller’s 76th-minute goal gave the Lions a 1-0 victory against Toronto FC to earn third place at the Walt Disney World Pro Soccer Classic on Saturday night.

The Lions’ goal came after a Max Griffin grabbed hold of a long pass and made a run at the box. Ian Fuller followed in the right channel, resulting in a give-and-go that sprung him into the penalty area. TFC goalkeeper Milos Kocic came out to try and claim the through-ball, but Fuller beat Kocic to the ball, rounding the ’keeper and bent a low shot into the open net to give City a late lead they would not relinquish.

“It was great to get the win,” said Fuller, who also acts as an assistant coach for Orlando City. “The guys battled all night long. I’m proud of the guys and I’m also very happy to score. I haven’t done that in a while.”

After Orlando coach Adrian Heath made a change to the team’s starting formation, switching from a 4-4-2 to a 4-4-1-1 with Yordanny Alvarez in the playmaker role, the Lions came out sharply to start the game.  

It would be easy to blame Orlando’s domination of the run of play on Toronto running out a roster of trialists, but even two-time MLS Cup MVP Dwayne DeRosario struggled to impose his will on the match. Orlando’s defensive dominance came in part from a change to the back line.

Mechack Jerome had seen time in the previous two City matches, but he got his first start on Saturday and played the full 90 minutes. Jerome made the most of his full shift, becoming a clearing force in the City penalty area. Jerome also got a chance to show his offensive prowess when he skimmed the crossbar on a free kick, while Lewis Neal also tested Kocic from a free kick forcing a good save.

City’s preseason was dealt a blow when Jamie Watson got tangled with TFC’s Matt Stinson and fell awkwardly. Watson left the match with a shoulder injury. A full diagnosis will be available in a few days.

Missing Watson, City struggled to regain momentum early in the second half. Jose Burciaga came in to replace the injured winger, forcing left back Jack Traynor into a midfield role. The Lions took about 20 minutes to find their shape, and nearly fell behind as a result. Toronto capitalized on Orlando’s struggles by creating several close scoring chances, but keeper Sean Kelley, a halftime sub, and the rest of the Orlando defense held strong.

Immediately after the goal, City brought in defense-minded subs. Toronto continued to push for an equalizer, hoping to send the match to penalty kicks, but the Lions held firm in the closing stages to earn a second victory against MLS opposition after their 1-0 win against the Philadelphia Union in their preseason opener last Saturday.

Orlando City continues its preseason at the ESPN Wide World of Sports next Saturday as it hosts the Swedish First Division’s BK Hacken for an international friendly.

F.C. New York News Release – www.fcnewyorksoccer.com

Monday, February 28, 2011

GARDEN CITY, N.Y. – F.C. New York of USL PRO is proud to announce that former Arsenal player Paul Shaw has signed a one-year contract pending USL and USSF approval. Shaw, who will serve as F.C. New York’s inaugural captain, put pen to paper today with F.C. New York President Doug Petersen at the Marriott Renaissance Hotel in Manchester, England.

Shaw was born in Burnham, Buckinghamshire, England and started his career as a trainee at Arsenal, turning professional in 1991. His debut came against Nottingham Forest on December 3, 1994. Unable to break into the Arsenal first team, Shaw spent periods on loan with Burnley, Cardiff City and Peterborough United before he was sold to Millwall in September 1997.

Shaw spent three years with Millwall where he scored 25 goals in just over 100 appearances before moving to Gillingham in 2000. He left Gillingham for Sheffield United in 2004 but unable to break into the first team had a loan spells at Rotherham United. He found his opportunities at Chesterfiled, Saltergate limited, and Oxford United. The past two seasons have been spent with Hungarian team Ferencvárosi TC, where he scored an amazing 21 goals in 48 appearances helping return Ferencvarosi to the Soproni Liga after a three-year absence.

“Paul had a great foundation growing up in the Arsenal Academy and a fantastic career scoring goals,” Petersen said. “He was in New York this summer and will serve as not only a fine captain for the club, but a mentor to our younger players as well as an ambassador.”

Local supporters attended Shaw’s signing today, including Joe Tricarico, a local shoe store manager.

“I love the game and I am crazy to visit New York,” he said. F.C. New York has given me a reason to make the journey.”

The atmosphere was all soccer, and tomorrow Petersen will travel south for another signing. Stay tuned fans!

For additional information regarding F.C. New York, contact Regina Heacker at 866-827-0154 or visit www.fcnewyorksoccer.com.

F.C. NEW YORK is the new professional soccer team coming to New York in 2011 as part of the United Soccer Leagues (USL). From our academy to our pro team, we offer the areas only vertical model for soccer.