New Jersey Rangers News Release -- www.njrangers.com
Thursday, July 28, 2011
AVEIRO, Portugal -- After a successful trial period with the Portuguese first division side Sport Clube Beira-Mar, New Jersey Rangers forward Dominic Reinold has signed a two year professional contract with the “auri-negro” squad. Dominic joined the NJ Rangers in 2010 to play in his first Player Development League (PDL) season under head coach Carlos Rasoilo.
The forward quickly tallied three goals in the team’s first three games and earned PDL Player of the Week honors. His outstanding form with the Rangers earned him second place in the Rookie of the Year voting, just behind Brent Richards of the Portland Timbers U-23s, who also won the league’s MVP award.
Before joining the NJ Rangers, Dominic, a native of Wesseling, Germany, played youth soccer for some of Germanys top youth teams. In 2009 Dominic joined the Fairleigh Dickinson University Men’s soccer team, where he immediately became a standout player. Reinold became one of the leagues most feared strikers, as he was named the 2009 NEC Rookie of the Year. In 2010 Dominic was chosen to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America and All-North Atlantic Region Second Team and also earned First Team All-NEC accolades.
Dominic again signed with the NJ Rangers in the 2011 PDL season before travelling to Portugal for his trial stint with Beira-Mar. The 6-foot-2, 185 pound forward quickly impressed head Coach Rui Bento not only with his stature but also with his dynamic play. The team held scrimmages against Portuguese first division side Vitória de Guimarães and Romanian first division side F.C. Braşov. Dominic’s performances on the training ground and in both scrimmages strongly convinced the club to acquire his talents.
"I am very pleased for Dominic and wish him continued success in his career," said NJ Rangers head coach Carlos Rasoilo. "We knew losing Dominic this season would have a negative impact on the Rangers offensive line. However, I could only encourage all my players
to take advantage of any opportunities they have to better themselves."
Carlos, who played in the youth ranks of S.C. Beira Mar before coming to United States, maintains a good relationship with the professional club and was happy that he was able to help Dominic in obtaining a try-out. Once the try-out was scheduled, it was up to the 22-year-old to prove himself and he did so in a very short time frame. Dominic is excited for the opportunity he earned, but also expressed his gratitude towards the coaches he has had in the U.S.
"I'd like to thank the coaching staff of the NJ Rangers, particularly Coach Carlos, and also the Fairleigh Dickinson University coaching staff, which gave me the opportunity to play for the men’s soccer team," Reinold said. "Both organizations played a crucial role in my development as both a player and a man. For that, I cannot thank them enough."
What was once a dream of a young, Wesseling native has turned reality as Reinold is off to the professional ranks and will face historic Portuguese sides suchs as F.C. Porto and S.L. Benfica in the Liga Sagres.