Orlando City News Release -- www.orlandocitysoccer.com
Friday, March 18, 2011
ORLANDO, Fla. - Orlando City Soccer Club is proud to announce the signings of Trinidadian international midfielder Kevin Molino and former Houston Dynamo player Erik Ustruck to multi-year contracts, pending USSF approval.
Molino joins the Lions fresh off the 2010-2011 Digicel Pro League season in Trinidad and Tobago where he won the Toyota Classic, Trinidad and Tobago’s national championship tournament, with Ma Pau SC. The 20-year-old has spent his entire professional career in Trindad, beginning with San Juan Jabloteh in 2008 before moving to Ma Pau when he was just 18 years old. Molino has made four appearances for the Trinidad and Tobago Senior National Team, most recently at the 2010 Caribbean Championship. Fellow Trinidadian international Devorn Jorsling joined Orlando City in January.
“It’s a great feeling joining the team,” said Molino. “This is the first team I’ve played on outside of Trinidad. It’s been a great experience so far.”
“Kevin is someone I’ve known about personally for two or three years,” said Head Coach Adrian Heath. “He’s just 20 years old, already on the national team, and is already known as one of the most exciting talents they’ve had in a long, long time. I’m really excited about what he can develop into. We’re really excited to have him on board.”
Molino made his first appearance for Orlando City late in the match against BK Häcken on March 5th. He injected energy into the team and helping to spark Lewis Neal’s goal in the 75th minute. Ten days later, Molino registered his first start against Rollins College. He recorded his first assist of the preseason with a nifty pass to Max Griffin, who scored the first of the Lions’ three goals in victory over the Tars.
Ustruck played his college soccer at Santa Clara University. While in college he made seven appearances for the US Under-20 National Team. Ustruck began his professional career in 2007 when he was drafted by the Houston Dynamo in the 2007 MLS Supplemental Draft. In 2009, Ustruck was loaned to the Austin Aztex where he played under current Lions Head Coach Adrian Heath. After being released by Houston early in the 2010 season, Ustruck joined FC Tampa Bay. After five appearances with FCTB, his promising season was cut short by a broken leg.
“He’s all fit and ready now. We tried to get him last year [when Heath was with the Austin Aztex] before he signed with Tampa. We’re really pleased to have him on board. He’s a great teammate and we know he’ll be a great fit for us.”
A versatile midfielder, Ustruck will be capable of playing multiple positions for Orlando City. In his pro career, he has been used predominantly as a defender, but played both as a midfielder and forward in college.