Karsten Smith ('88) a left-footed defender from New York is currently on trial with Finnish Club VPS.
VPS didn't sign Smith in December, but are interested in bringing him in for upcoming season. Sounds like they have yet to agree to a deal.
"Vaasan Palloseura released Monday press conference in as many as four new player contract. New players were two new acquisition, but was also involved two players already familiar vaasalaisyleisölle. Vepsun rows associated with the 24-year old American Karsten Smith is the first time trying to breakthrough outside of North America. Raamikas stopper is delighted to show their skills in the coming period. - I'm very excited and pleased to be able to play in Europe. It has been my dream for a long time. My strengths are to play the ball along the ground, as well as to guide the team to play. My left leg is definitely pelillinen my strengths and I hope that the public will see it better, when I get to a better team in the game, Smith says. Smith did not know about Finland and Finnish football a little before coming to Vaasa, but now the winter time, differences in playing styles have become clearer. The man believes that he is able to sopeuduttuaan to Finland to play at this level. - Finnish football seems to be the very same level as the NASL to play league. There, the players were maybe a bit more physical, but here again the players are faster. I believe that when totun language, the city and the joukkuekavereihini, so I am able to present a good excerpts from the forthcoming period. It's great to get a fresh start with a clean slate, and I am glad that it is happening right VPS in, Smith says. Vepsun head coach Olli Huttunen is delighted to Smith, according to their team. Huttunen also a little background to the agreement with the Toppari. This is a typical form of agreement. If a player plays a good and successful season, so the club can continue the contract side of excluding from the beginning of negotiations after the season. However, if the player does not succeed, then the situation is different. - Karsten brings the balance of defense. He has already had time to see the world and brings us to experience the back lines. He is able to open the game in both the short and the long ball, which will create new opportunities for peliimme. Now we have a good balance between the opening game, when we have two Toppar, who are able to open the game in different legs. Last season we did not have such an opportunity available to us. We work with Karsten's still in the works, he learns of the Finnish mentality and the player type, Oka says." http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http://www.vepsu.fi/item/527-uusien-kokemusten-perässä.html&hl=en&langpair=auto|en&tbb=1&ie=utf-8 And apparently ... he's done some modeling. Rock that Blue Steel, Karsten: Monday, March 8, 2010 TRIBECA ALLEY KARSTEN SMITH...........CITY VIBES photos: Jon Malinowski stylist: TheAgentMan http://rednewyork.blogspot.com/2010/03/tribeca-alley.html
3 shutouts in 4 starts thus far: http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/en/karsten-smith/leistungsdaten/spieler_190902.html
Was trialing with the Cosmos last month: http://www.empireofsoccer.com/sounders-ockford-cosmos-23532/
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/karsten-smith/6/3ba/1b4 The model player is now at KA Akuyreyri in Iceland's 1.dield (2nd tier), starting regularly per Transfermarkt.
NASL: The Fort Lauderdale Strikers announced Monday defender Karsten Smith has signed for the club for the 2015 season. Smith, 26, joins the Strikers after two years in Europe. In 2013, the center back made 16 appearances for Finnish first division side Vaasan Palloseura (VPS), helping the club to a third-place finish and UEFA Europa League qualification. He most recently played with Knattspyrnufélag Akureyrar (KA) in Iceland. http://www.nasl.com/article/uuid/8vawegxvgach1jdlgrhs4ppw4/strikers-add-defender-smith