USL PRO Week in Review for 4/1/2011

USL PRO kicks off its season opener with four teams in action on Saturday.

Orlando City SC travels north to take on the Richmond Kickers, while International Division rivals Sevilla FC Puerto Rico and River Plate Puerto Rico do battle Saturday evening at Roberto Clemente Stadium. This week the Rochester Rhinos, Pittsburgh Riverhounds, Charleston  Battery and the Dayton Dutch Lions. along with the Kickers and Orlando City, have announced more player signings for their 2011 seasons.

Rochester Rhinos

The Rhinos have announced the signing of defender Quavas Kirk. The Illinois native, who turns 23 in April, already has a wealth of experience at both the MLS and D2 levels. Kirk attended the IMG Academy in Bradenton and was drafted by the LA Galaxy in 3rd round of the MLS SuperDraft. Kirk gained notoriety for losing his #23 to David Beckham when the Englishman joined the Galaxy.

Kirk has played over 75 professional games with the Galaxy, DC United, the Minnesota Thunder and, in 2010, the Portland Timbers.  He also made 53 appearances for the USMNT U-17 team beginning in 2005, scoring 22 goals.

Pittsburgh Riverhounds

The Riverhounds have signed two players with MLS experience — defender Kyle Veris and forward Jason Yeisley. Veris hails from the Washington, DC area and played his college soccer at the University of Akron and Ohio State while playing PDL ball for the Toledo Slayers, Columbus Shooting Stars and Michigan Bucks. Drafted by the LA Galaxy in the third round of the 2006 MLS SuperDraft, Veris featured in 18 Galaxy matches in 2006-07. Veris played for Norwegian side IL Hodd in 2008 before returning to the U.S. in 2009, playing a total of 38 appearances in D2 for the Puerto Rico Islanders in 2009 and Miami FC in 2010.

Kyle is the big physical center back that we were looking for during the offseason,” Riverhounds coach Justin Evans said. “We are looking for a lot of quality minutes out of Kyle this summer.”

Jason Yeisley, 24,  is a native of Hershey, Pennsylvania and played collegiately at Penn State and in the PDL for the Reading Rage. After a fine freshman year in which he was named to the 2005 Soccer America’s All-Freshmen Team, Yeisley suffered injuries that hampered his progress, but came back for a fine senior season that saw him drafted in the third round of the 2010 MLS SuperDraft by FC Dallas. Yeisley, 6’1,” played in five matches for the 2010 MLS Cup finalists.

Charleston Battery

The Battery signed rookie midfielders  James “JC”  Mack and Alex Caskey, both products of the Battery’s February player trials. Mack, 22, is from Columbus, Ohio and played for the Chicago Fire Premier in the PDL. Mack turned down college offers to turn pro, and also turned down offers from professional clubs in Peru and Trinidad and Tobago, deciding to stay with the Fire Premier and U-20 squads. The 5’7″ 22-year-old is noted for his play on the wing, along with his speed and technical skills.

Caskey is a Georgia native who played every game in his career at Davidson University. The 5’10″ Caskey played for the PDL Atlanta FC Blackhawks in 2009 and 2010 and also played high school basketball, and trained at the Zico Academy in Brazil in 2005.  He participated in the 2011 MLS combine and was drafted by the Seattle Sounders.

“Alex and JC have both earned a spot on our roster and both players have tremendous potential to move up the professional ladder,” Battery coach Mike Anhaeuser said. “Alex will add depth to our midfield and JC brings a dangerous player on the wing or up front.”

In other news, the 2010 USL-2 champion Battery announced that they will host the 2010 USSF D2 playoff champion Puerto Rico Islanders on April 5 at Blackbaud Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 5:30 pm. Admission and parking are free for this final preseason match for the Battery. Limited concessions will be available.

Dayton Dutch Lions

The Dutch Lions announced the signing of midfielder Joel DeLass, 24, and English youngster Luke Magill. Michigan native DeLass attended Wheaton College and played for the PDL’s West Michigan Edge. The 5’11″ DeLass signed with the Charlotte Eagles in 2010, appearing in two matches.

“I’ve only had a glimpse of the organization thus far, but from what I can tell the organization seems to be very professional and very committed to bringing high-level soccer to the Dayton community,” said DeLass.

Luke Magill is a midfielder/defender who played for the Bolton Wanderers youth team. He played college ball at Lynn University and in the PDL for the Baton Rouge Capitals.

“I signed because I love everything about the club,” Magill said. “It is a very professional environment and a great franchise to be a part of. I spent some time a few years ago training in Holland with PSV and fell in love right away with the Dutch style of soccer and their approach to training and match preparation.”

Richmond Kickers

The Kickers have announced the signing of D2 veteran midfielder Michael Callahan. Callahan, 5’11″ is a New Jersey native who grew up in Cary, North Carolina and attended UNC, winning All-ACC and All-American honors as a Tar Heel in 2008. The 24-year-old also played four summers for the Raleigh Elite/Cary RailHawks U-23 club in the PDL. Callahan signed with the Austin Aztex in 2009 and featured in 47 matches for the club over the last two seasons.

“Michael is a quality individual who possesses the technical skill and tactical awareness to play several positions for the team this season,” said Leigh Cowlishaw, Richmond Kickers Head Coach and Director of Soccer. “We loved his attitude and enthusiasm when he played against the University of Maryland and we are delighted that he wanted to continue his professional career with the Kickers.”

Orlando City SC

Coach Adrian Heath has brought in two more players for Orlando City SC, veteran defender Rob Valentino and forward Dennis Chin. Valentino,25, played in 27 matches last season with FC Tampa Bay. The Californian played at the University of San Francisco and for PDL’s San Jose Frogs before being drafted in the first round of the MLS SuperDraft by the New England Revolution. Valentino, 6’3″, made his pro debut in an Open Cup game for the Revs in 2008 but didn’t see time in any MLS matches. He was traded to the Colorado Rapids in 2009 before joining FC Tampa Bay in their inaugural season.

“Rob is a very good, strong defender,” said Heath. “He’s a leader, very vocal. He’s obviously very big and strong, physically imposing. He’s experienced, and his personality will be a huge boost to our group.”

Dennis Chin will play for Orlando City SC as an amateur.  He played previously for Rollins College and the Central Florida Kraze and will maintain his amateur status despite playing for a professional team.  In 2007, Chin scored seven goals and had three assists while at Rollins.