Arizona raised players in MLS

[gilmoreaz]

Since we now have a forum and are on the MLS radar screen, we should honor those players from Arizona who have, or still do play in MLS.

I will go first and recognize:

http://i18.tinypic.com/2ltn800.jpg

Pablo Mastroeni (born August 29, 1976 in Mendoza, Argentina) is an American soccer defender and midfielder. He plays for the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer and is a member of the United States national soccer team.

Mastroeni moved to the United States from his native Argentina at the age of four. He attended Phoenix Thunderbird High School, played college soccer at North Carolina State University and was drafted by the Miami Fusion with the 13th overall selection of the 1998 MLS College Draft. Pablo played four seasons with the Fusion, becoming an automatic starter in his second year with the team in either central defense or defensive midfield, and was named to the MLS Best XI in 2001. He earned his first US cap against Ecuador on June 7 of that year. Pablo was team captain for the recent USMNT 2-0 victory over Mexico at UofP Stadium!

[T_Rock]

"Scott Garlick (born May 29, 1972 in Phoenix, Arizona) is a retired American soccer goalkeeper, who last played for Real Salt Lake of Major League Soccer."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Garlick

He graduated from Brophy, but we won't hold that against him. ;)

[phxinferno]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Garlick[/URL]

He graduated from Brophy, but we won't hold that against him. ;)


LOL:D

[phxinferno]

Pablo graduated from my HS alma mater, but I'm still having a hard time forgiving him for a deserved red card against Italy in Welt Meister 06..

Evan Witfield is a Brophy alum as well and played the majority of his career with the Fire and then I think the Rapids before retiring...

Gerg Vanney, currently plays with the Rapids after being traded from Dallas this offseason. He is Tempe Marcos Deniza HS alum, where I was fortunate enough to officiate his games a couple of times. He played for Sigi at UCLA. Was in line to go to Korea/Japan in 2002, but hurt his knee in the tuneups I think...

There two players from Phoenix drafted in the Superdraft this year, one is with the Crew, but was injured when they were here last month and the other is with the Galaxy I think? Names anyone?

[T_Rock]

I played Evan Whitfield a few times growing up, and Vanney was the guest speaker at the High School All-State Banquet my senior year. Pablo is AZ's best success story so far, but more are to come as youth soccer in the Valley gets better.

[gilmoreaz]

but more are to come as youth soccer in the Valley gets better.

Trock hit the nail right smack on the head!

[phxinferno]

Pablo is AZ's best success story so far, but more are to come as youth soccer in the Valley gets better.


A professional team would certainly take AZ development to the next level, with I assume Y-League entrants and even a PDL team. For all the negative talk about NCAA programs, AZ has a vacuum with the lack of Div 1 public university programs (ASU and UA are the only Pac 10 schools without a men's soccer program). The best talent in the state leave and I can bet you, don't come back; playing summer ball (PDL) elsewhere. All Props to Draskin at GCU, and with the Suguaros, but they don't cut it when it comes to developing AZ talent for the next level...

Please correct me if I'm wrong.

[Freddy Garcia Lives]

Phxinferno, when did you graduate? I was a Chief and graduated in '95 (one year after Pablo)

[phxinferno]

Phxinferno, when did you graduate? I was a Chief and graduated in '95 (one year after Pablo)


CLASS OF '85

[phxinferno]

Thanks to gilmoreaz from another post..."and the #15 and #16 picks in the 2007 MLS Draft (Brad Evans and Robbie Findley).";)

[gilmoreaz]

Although he is not originally from Arizona, and he is now not playing in MLS... Hat's off to David Hague who recently signed a two-year contract to play for the Portland Timbers of the USL First Division!!!

Hague who played collegiately at Phoenix Grand Canyon University signed as a free-agent with the Timbers and I wish him all the best!

http://i10.tinypic.com/48ztqvk.jpg

Here is more info:

Hague Signing - Portland Timbers (http://www.portlandtimbers.com/newsroom/headlines/index.html?article_id=324)

Hague Signing - Portland Tribune (http://www.portlandtribune.com/sports/story.php?story_id=117339182665338800)

[phxinferno]

It would be interesting to see what has happened professionally to GCU and Yavapai alum, as well as all the other top flight players who leave AZ because none of our major Universities have programs...:rolleyes:

[gilmoreaz]

It would be interesting to see what has happened professionally to GCU and Yavapai alum, as well as all the other top flight players who leave AZ because none of our major Universities have programs...:rolleyes:

No doubt!

Last summer, the Arizona Sahuaros made it to the second round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup and suffered a tough 1-0 loss to the Virgina Beach Mariners of the USL first division...

That Sahuaros team was made-up of mostly GCU grads and even some current GCU players.

They were that close to playing Real Salt Lake of MLS had they beat VB!

[phxinferno]

No doubt!

Last summer, the Arizona Sahuaros made it to the second round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup and suffered a tough 1-0 loss to the Virgina Beach Mariners of the USL first division...

That Sahuaros team was made-up of mostly GCU grads and even some current GCU players.

They were that close to playing Real Salt Lake of MLS had they beat VB!


Why aren't the Suhuaros in the PDL?

[phxinferno]

Cut this from the Yavapai College website...


FORMER ROUGHRIDERS ON WORLD CUP ROSTER
Congratulations to Trindad & Tobago for their showing in their first World Cup! Goalkeeper Kelvin Jack (1997 & 1998 Yavapai keeper) and Left Back Avery John (1994 & 1995 Yavapai defender) played significant roles in Germany for T & T.
FORMER ROUGHRIDERS ON MLS & USL CURRENT ROSTERS
This list will be announced in early April when the professional teams finalized their roster.

[gilmoreaz]

Cut this from the Yavapai College website...


FORMER ROUGHRIDERS ON WORLD CUP ROSTER
Congratulations to Trindad & Tobago for their showing in their first World Cup! Goalkeeper Kelvin Jack (1997 & 1998 Yavapai keeper) and Left Back Avery John (1994 & 1995 Yavapai defender) played significant roles in Germany for T & T.
FORMER ROUGHRIDERS ON MLS & USL CURRENT ROSTERS
This list will be announced in early April when the professional teams finalized their roster.

Avery John is a SOLID player! I knew Yavapai did well in soccer but had never looked at who has gone through their system... Nice work Inferno!

[phxinferno]

FORMER ROUGHRIDERS ON MLS & USL CURRENT ROSTERS
Major League Soccer rosters include 2000-2001 YC forward Alan Gordon (Los Angeles Galaxy), 1994-1995 YC defender Avery John (New England Revoluation) and 2004-2005 YC defender Michael Randolph (Los Angeles Galaxy). This list will be expanded in mid-April when additional professional teams finalized their rosters.

[murph1272]

Robbie Findley, the rookie for the Galaxy who scored the goal last night and looked quite impressive as a sub grew up in the valley and is the cousin of valley celebrities Mike Bibby and Shaun MacDonald.

[phxinferno]

Robbie Findley, the rookie for the Galaxy who scored the goal last night and looked quite impressive as a sub grew up in the valley and is the cousin of valley celebrities Mike Bibby and Shaun MacDonald.


Randolph also played considerable minutes last night for LA....

[gilmoreaz]

Robbie Findley, the rookie for the Galaxy who scored the goal last night and looked quite impressive as a sub grew up in the valley and is the cousin of valley celebrities Mike Bibby and Shaun MacDonald.

Findley is catching everyone's attention for sure. One of his youth coaches here is my son's current youth coach. He is thrilled for Robbie and should be!

I am going to say it again... Phoenix is a soccer town!