6/29/09 - The revamped United States National Arena Soccer Team will be back in action June 30-July 1 at Quays of the Old Port Montreal, Canada. New Head Coach Craig Rhodis will oversee a roster featuring 10 players making their first international appearance.
The Coupe Canada Soccer Rapide 2009 will feature four national teams, one more than last year’s Circuit Mondial that saw Mexico defeat Canada in the championship. This year the US, Mexico, and Canada will be joined by Peru, expanding the lineup and extending the tournament to a second day.
Last year’s event saw the US team lose 10-9 to Canada and 6-4 to Mexico. The Circuit Mondial 2008 marked the first event for the USNAST. The nascent national team program is only six games old with the US holding a 2-4 record in two international competitions.
The only US players with international experience are Dominic Scicluna, who just played with Samuel Eto’o and Didier Drogba in a charity game in Rwanda, and Sam Fiore. However, this year’s roster is more seasoned as 11 of the 12 players have just played in the Professional Arena Soccer League’s first season, which will help young players like Craig Salvati, Garrett Buck, and Blake Ordell.
The additions of Rhodis, who will also play, Aaron Susi, and Antonio Sutton gives the US team three veterans each with over 10 years experience playing arena soccer.
Rhodis, the coach of the PASL-Pro’s 1790 Cincinnati, took four 1790 players in addition to himself, and three Stockton Cougars players, meaning eight of the 12 players selected played in the PASL-Pro’s championship game.
Salvati and Susi were named to the PASL-Pro All-League First Team and Rhodis was Coach of the Year.
The US is 0-3 against Mexico, 0-1 against Canada, and 1-0 against Peru. The US got its first ever international victory by beating Peru 7-6 on November 6 in Monterrey, Mexico.
On the heels of the Coupe Canada, the USNAST and Mexico will head to NYTEX Sports Centre in North Richland Hills, Texas to play for the Independence Cup on July 4.
Six players from the Montreal roster will travel to Texas where they will be joined by Garth Archibald (6 USNAST caps), Majell Aterado (PASL-Pro All-League Second Team) and five players from the host city Texas Outlaws.
Coupe Canada Soccer Rapide Montreal 2009
USNAST Roster for Circuit Mondial 2009 June 30-July 1, 2009 Montreal, Canada
| Number |
Last Name |
First Name |
Position |
Team |
| Goal |
Salvati |
Craig |
Keeper |
1790 |
| 24 |
Rhodis |
Craig |
Def/Mid |
1790 |
| 13 |
Fiore |
Salvatorre |
Def |
1790 |
| 12 |
Henderson |
Jeff |
Def |
1790 |
| 23 |
Buck |
Garrett |
Def |
1790 |
| 14 |
Susi |
Aaron |
For |
Cougars |
| 11 |
Santana |
Nelson |
Mid |
Cougars |
| 4 |
Sutton |
Antonio |
Def/Mid |
Cougars |
| 19 |
Dias |
Vijay |
For/Mid |
Louisville |
| 10 |
Scicluna |
Dominic |
For/Mid |
Waza |
| 2 |
Mallord |
Ryan |
Def/Mid |
Waza |
| 18 |
Ordell |
Blake |
For |
Waza |
USNAST Roster for Independence Cup July 4, 2009 North Richland Hills, Texas
| Number |
Last Name |
First Name |
Position |
Team |
| 2 |
Andrews |
John |
Def |
Outlaws |
| 15 |
Zindel |
Kellan |
For |
Outlaws |
| 9 |
Jama |
Anthony |
Mid |
Outlaws |
| GK |
Elmore |
Clark |
BU/Keep |
Outlaws |
| 12 |
Harrigan |
Jamie |
Def/Mid |
Outlaws |
| 3 |
Archibald |
Garth |
For/Mid |
Dynamite |
| 14 |
Susi |
Aaron |
For |
Cougars |
| 11 |
Santana |
Nelson |
Mid/Def |
Cougars |
| 4 |
Sutton |
Antonio |
Def |
Cougars |
| GK |
Salvati |
Craig |
Keeper |
1790 |
| 24 |
Rhodis |
Craig |
Def/Mid |
1790 |
| 10 |
Scicluna |
Dominic |
For/Mid |
Waza |
| 7 |
Aterado |
Majell |
Mid/Def |
Cougars |
Craig Salvati, Goalkeeper 1790 Cincinnati 6/14/1982 6’2" 200lbs. West Chester, OH
Played four years at Maryland, started nine games as senior for 2005 NCAA Men’s National Champions...2008/09 went 11-1 with league-leading 4.81 GAA, was named to PASL-Pro All-League First Team and runner up for Most Valuable Player...makin his USNAST debut.
Craig Rhodis, Defender/Midfielder 1790 Cincinnati 6/18/1973 Hamilton, OH
All-time leading scorer at Thomas More College...has played with the Cincinnati Silverbacks (NPSL), Cincinnati Cheetahs (USL), Cincinnati Riverhawks (A League), Lafayette Swampcats (EISL), and was a player/coach with the Lafayette Lightning (USL). Craig also played with the Portland Pythons and Utah Freezz (WISL). Recently, Craig served as a player/coach for the Cincinnati Excite (AISL) for two years....Director of Coaching, Fairfield Optimist Soccer Club...currently player/coach of 1790 Cincinnati and USNAST...credited with six goals, 16 assists in 11 games...won 2008/09 PASL-Pro Coach of the Year Award
Salvatore "Sam" Fiore Defender 1790 Cincinnati 9/12/1980 Huber Heights, OH
Played for Cincinnati Kings (USL) and Cincinnati Excite (AISL)...credited with six goals and five assists in nine PASL-Pro games with 1790 in 2008-09...has two USNAST caps from Circuito Mondial 2008
Jeff Henderson Defender 1790 Cincinnati 7/1/1982
Played college soccer for University of Cincinnati...played for Cincinnati Excite (AISL)...credited with seven goals and seven assists in 12 PASL-Pro games with 1790...led the PASL-Pro with 30 blocked shots...made 11 blocks in PASL-Pro North American Championship final against Stockton...making USNAST debut.
Garrett Buck Defender 1790 Cincinnati 3/24/1982 Dayton, OH
Played college soccer for Indiana-Purdue University-Ft. Wayne...played for Ft. Wayne Fever (USL), Cincinnati Excite (AISL)...2008-09: credited with 18 goals, seven assists in 12 PASL-Pro games...led the PASL-Pro with 10 power play goals...Named PASL-Pro All-League First Team...making USNAST debut.
Aaron Susi Forward Stockton Cougars 6/29/1974 6’2" 205lbs. San Diego, CA
Played college soccer at San Diego State (1993-96): Susi led the Aztecs in scoring during his sophomore, junior and senior years...Made professional indoor debut in 1997 with Arizona Sandsharks (CISL)...played for St. Louis Ambush and Wichita Wings (NPSL), San Diego Sockers, St. Louis Steamers, Philadelphia Kixx, and Cleveland Force (MISL), California/Stockton Cougars (MISL/PASL-Pro)...scored 193 career goals in 357 games...2008-09: scored 25 goals and 16 assists in 14 games to finish third in PASL-Pro...scored game-winning goal in overtime vs. Edmonton in semifinals and eventual game-winner in 13-5 championship win over Cincinnati...named to All-League First Team...played for US National Futsal Team...making USNAST debut.
Antonio Sutton Defender/Midfielder Stockton Cougars 12/12/1973 5’9" 153lbs. Fayetteville, NC
Began professional indoor career in 1997 with Sacramento Knights (CISL/WISL)...played for Philadelphia Kixx (NPSL), Dallas Sidekicks, Monterrey Fury and Cleveland Force (MISL)...spent last four seasons with the California/Stockton Cougars...155 career goals in 278 games...2008/09: limited to eight games, but had seven goals and three assists...making USNAST debut.
Nelson Santana Defender Stockton Cougars 12/28/78 5’8" 170lbs. Bogota, Colombia
Holds duel citizenship...played for San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) in 2001...played last three seasons with California/Stockton Cougars...2008/09: had a breakout season with nine goals and 18 assists in 14 games.
Vijay Dias Forward/Midfielder
Was starting midfielder at Indiana University...MVP of nationally top-ranked Ballard High School...played two exhibition games for Louisville Mockingbird against 1790 Cincinnati
Dominic Scicluna Forward/Midfielder Detroit Waza 2/27/1972 6’0" 185lbs. Detroit, MI
Played for Detroit Rockers (NPSL); Detroit/Windsor Border Stars (CPSL); Estacio De Se (Brazil DII) Hamrun, Orange Hill Lions (Jamaica); Michigan Bucks (PDL); Waza FC (PASL-Premier)...2008/09: scored 11 goals and 11 assists in 12 games...was named captain of USNAST and earned two caps, scoring one goal and one assists...on 6/22 played charity game in Rwanda with Didier Drogba, Samuel Eto’o and other prominent players.
Ryan Mallord Defender Detroit Waza 5/3/1983 5’8" 175lbs.
Played for Schoolcraft College and Madonna University...played for Windsor Border Stars (CPSL)...was recruited to Waza Soccer Club at age 12 by Dominic Scicluna...2008/09: was named to USNAST player pool...scored four goals and four assists in 14 games with Waza...making USNAST debut.
Blake Ordell Forward Detroit Waza 9/12/1985 6’0" 180lbs. Hawaii
First pro player signed from Westminster College...played for Windsor Border Stars (CPSL) and Cincinnati Kings (USL D2)...had successful indoor debut with 14 goals and eight assists in 14 games...making USNAST debut.
Garth Archibald Forward Denver Dynamite 6/13/1984 6’0" 170lbs. Chico, CA
Played with Chico Bigfoot (PASL-Premier) and California Cougars (MISL) before signing with Denver Dynamite...2008-09: 17 goals, 7 assists in 11 games...USNAST record six caps (tied with Bernie Lilavois) and five goals, one assist in international play.
John Andrews Defender Texas Outlaws
2008-09: credited with 4 goals, 4 assists in 12 games, first USNAST appearance
Kellan Zindel Forward Texas Outlaws 5’7" 158lbs. Flower Mound, TX
Played soccer at SMU; 2008-09: credited with 10 goals, 4 assists in just 5 games to lead Outlaws in scoring, first USNAST appearance
Anthony Jama Midfielder Texas Outlaws
Starred at nationally ranked DIII East Central College, 2008-09: credited with 5 goals, 2 assists in 11 games, first USNAST appearance
Clark Elmore Goalkeeper Texas Outlaws
Played for DFW Tornados (PASL-Premier), first USNAST appearance
Jamie Harrigan Midfielder Texas Outlaws
Played for Dallas Sidekicks (MISL), DWF Tornados, Studio (PASL-Premier), 2008-09: credited with 5 goals, 3 assists in 7 games, first USNAST appearance
Majell Aterado Midfielder Stockton Cougars 8/12/1981 5’8" 160lbs. Pearl City, HI
Played in PASL-Premier before being signed by California Cougars in 2007/08 season...2008/09: had breakout season with the PASL-Pro Champion Cougars with 21 goals and 15 assists in 15 games...was named to PASL-Pro All-League Second Team...making USNAST debut.
