In addition to the draft picks, these are the 3 players added to the training camp roster that were not with the team in 2008. Both Viveros (4 Colombian Nat'l team caps) and Owusu-Ansah (another young Ghanian phenom) have interesting backgrounds. Hertel was thought by some to be a sure draft pick in the Superdraft but was not selected.
DAVID HERTEL, D, Holland, MI, 5' 9", 175 lbs
DOB: 3/7/1996
Last Club: Michigan State
Strong, fast and a lefty, Hartel emerged this year as a top teir defender in the Big 10 with the Spartan’s conference title. After starting his career at Kentucky as a part time starter, Hertel red-shirted in 2004 and went on to be a three year starter for State.2008: Big Ten First Team. (courtesy www.3rddegree.net)
ALEXANDER VIVEROS, D/M, Cali, Colombia, 5' 10", 170 lbs
DOB: 10/8/1977
Last Club: Talleras de Cordoba, Argentine 2nd Division
BACKGROUND: Deportivo Cali, Racing (Argentina), Cruzeiro (Brazil), Boavista (Portugal) Nantes (France) and Grasshoper (Switzerland). Colombia selections from 1996 to 2005. He was captain of the U-23 in 2000, was in the 1999 Copa America, the World Qualifying 2002 and 2006 and was captain of the Seniors in a match against Mexico at Azteca Stadium in 2002 (courtesy: Deportivo Cali ). Interview in Spanish
KENNEDY OWUSU-ANSAH, D, Toronto, Can, 5' 8", 141 lbs
DOB: 7/20/1989
Last Club: Hertha Berlin, 2nd Bundesliga
Off the Pitch: both of his parents were born in Ghana... grew up playing soccer and basketball... enjoys hanging out with friends, watching movies... favourites have included Cafu, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Lionel Messi - “all guys who can change the game” - Barcelona, Kobe Bryant, Toronto Raptors... (courtesy: CanadaSoccer.com) Article: Andrea Canales
Monday, January 26, 2009
Training Camp Invitees
TRAINING CAMP INVITEES
