Los Angeles Blues News Release -- www.labluesprosoccer.com
Friday, April 27, 2012
FULLERTON, Calif. – The Los Angeles Blues are excited to announce they have signed goalkeeper Dominik Jakubek for the 2012 USL PRO season. The 32-year-old, who was invited into camp following his strong performance in the team’s open tryouts in January, is experiencing a second spring with the Fullerton-based club after first being drafted by indoor side Milwaukee Wave eight years ago. Jakubek’s paperwork was finalized on Friday of last week, making him a late addition to the gameday roster for the defeat to the Rochester Rhinos.
Jakubek’s ability to secure a contract with the USL PRO side is testament to a tenacious mentality that saw him showing up to the Blues’ open tryouts for a second time, having gone unselected in 2011.
“We did notice Dominik the first time around and kept him on our radar,” Head Coach Charlie Naimo said. “When he came back this year, he did very well again and also stood out to us as a great teammate, which continued throughout preseason. We were looking at four or five different goalkeepers but ended up selecting him for the way he is around the team, how respectful he is and how hard he works. Of course, he’s also a very solid goalkeeper and gives us depth at the position, which is crucial.”
While California native Jakubek spent the past two years playing in the Polish second division for RKS Garbarnia, he always remained hopeful that an opportunity might arise for him to return home.
“After my first time trying out with the Blues, I followed them last year and was impressed with the fact that they reached the playoffs in their first season,” he said. “When I was playing in Poland, I really wanted to come back to California because it’s where I’m from and where my parents live. So it was the ideal location in that sense. In addition, it’s great to see that everyone in the organization is working hard to create something special. That’s fun to be a part of.”
The newest member of the Blues is excited about the squad assembled by Head Coaches Charlie Naimo and Shayon Jalayer, despite the results not going the Blues’ way in the first two matches of the season against title contenders Rochester Rhinos.
“Everyone on the team wants to win championships, whether it’s the USL PRO title or the U.S. Open Cup,” he said. “Having a successful team starts with players having those kinds of goals. I think they’re attainable if we keep working hard in training, listen to the coaches and do a good job in the community to make people aware of the Blues and build good home support.”
Jakubek played his college ball for San Joaquin Delta College, Sonoma State and Cal State Chico, earning All-CCA First Team, All-Far West First Team and All-American First Team honors in the process. The vocal netminder also had a successful career in the Premier Development League (PDL) and the Men’s Premier Soccer League (MPSL) during his college days, being recognized as Goalkeeper of the Year three times while with the Chico Rooks.
Jakubek was drafted by the Milwaukee Wave in 2004 but never officially signed with the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) club. His rights were subsequently obtained by league rivals California Cougars, where the shot-stopper was teammates with current Blues midfielder Brian Farber and played in 28 matches in 2005 and 2006, earning an All-Rookie Team selection in his first season between the posts. In 2006, Jakubek was signed by MLS side Columbus Crew before moving on to the California Victory of the USL First Division the following year.
With the Victory folding after its first season in existence, the then 28-year-old found himself at a crossroads and went on a two-year hiatus from professional soccer, albeit never losing his passion for the game and his hunger for success. Now back in California following his return to the professional ranks in the Polish second division, Jakubek is determined to make the opportunity count.
“I just want to work hard and get better, because I’m still not quite where I could be,” he said. “Even though I’m 32 years old, I feel like I have a good eight to ten years left in my body and see a bright future ahead of me. I’m just taking it day by day right now and enjoying working with our goalkeeper coach Edu Castro. If I keep a good attitude and stay focused, I think I can still accomplish big things.”