June 2, 2008 Stockton, CA – The Professional Arena Soccer League (PASL-Pro) announced the first player signing in its history today. Brian Farber signed a contract for the 2008/09 season with the Stockton Cougars. Per league policy, terms of the deal will not be disclosed. Farber’s name will now be forever linked with PASL-Pro much the same way Shep Messing’s was when he inked the first deal in MISL history in 1978.
"Being the first guy signed is pretty special,” said Farber. “There aren’t many people who can say something like that. I’m proud to be a part of a league that is new and can be very big in a few years. It’s an honor to be a part of this - it’s special.
"Stockton has a great future in this league; I think we sort of have a head start on some of the other teams. It might take awhile for the fans to come around to the idea that the talent level won’t change from before, we will have a very competitive league."
PASL-Pro announced its inaugural regular season would consist of a 16 game schedule (8 home, 8 away) commencing on October 25 with a Championship Weekend taking place in Stockton, CA on March 13-15, 2009.
"PASL-Pro is excited to have Brian Farber signed as its first player,” said league commissioner Kevin Milliken. “His value was very evident last season, when he was injured part of the season. The Cougars were 10-8 with Brian Farber and 1-11 without him. He is definitely one of the best arena soccer players in the world, and we are very happy he is in our league."
"I don’t know yet what to expect with the growth of the league,” added Farber. “But the right people are in place to make it grow. I think the league is structured better and the growth potential is very strong."
Farber, 26, was also named to the initial player pool of the US National Arena Soccer Team, which will play in its first tournament from June 28 to July 1 in Montreal.
The speedy midfielder has been with the Cougars organization for the past three seasons. Though limited to 18 games this season due to a knee injury, he recorded 12 goals and seven assists during the 2007-08 season. He emerged as a true offensive weapon in the 2006-07 season, utilizing his explosive speed to knock in 22 goals and nine assists in 26 games. Farber has recorded 40 goals over his three year California Cougars career.
Farber also played with the USL First Division’s Minnesota Thunder in 2007. He played in all 28 games for the Thunder and finished with a team leading seven goals, three assists and 17 points. His 17 points were ninth best in the USL-1, and his seven goals were good enough for seventh best.
A college standout, Farber began his collegiate career at North Idaho College where he was named the team’s Most Valuable Offensive Player. Farber currently holds North Idaho College’s all-time point’s record with 66 and is the first soccer player from the college to play for a professional team.
A transfer to Oregon State, Farber was a second-team All-Pac-10 selection and played in all 20 games for a Beaver club that posted a 13-7 record and went to the NCAA playoffs.
He was named the Idaho State High School Player of the Year in 2000 while playing for the Sandpoint High Bulldogs. Farber was named to the All-State team twice and to the All-League team three times. He was awarded the Bulldogs’ “Golden Toe” in 2000.
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