With the team gradually announcing signings and returning players via Twitter, it seems like time to compile a new roster thread for 2014. What we know so far: Goalkeepers David Flynn Nick Noble Brian Sylvestre Defenders Coady Andrews Raphael Cox Richie Marquez - on loan from Philadelphia Neil Shaffer Colin Zizzi Midfielders Matt Bahner Robbie Derschang Danny DiPrima Jamiel Hardware Cristhian Hernandez - on loan from Philadelphia Jimmy McLaughlin - on loan from Philadelphia Jason Pelletier Pedro Ribeiro - on loan from Philadelphia Luan Silva - on loan from Corinthians Forwards Jose Barril Clesio Bauque - on loan from Benfica Edinho Junior Yann Ekra Morgan Langley Garret Pettis
As a few MLS players get cut in the next couple of weeks, do you expect HCI to pick up any key players? what has been the trend on this over the last few years as USL and MLS build more connections?
Yann Ekra returns to City Island after being released by the Union: http://www.local21news.com/sports/f...turning-city-islanders-896.shtml#.UxinSJK9KSM This is huge for the team after losing Lucky Mkosana and Sainey Touray. Still some big holes to fill up top but Ekra, a healthy Pettis, and Edinho Junior have some promise.
The Portuguese connection pays off with the club signing 19-year-old forward Clesio Bauque. He hails from Mozambique, appearing in two World Cup qualifiers for them, and had recently been a part of Benfica and trialed with the Union. A great chance for a young international to earn a MLS contract with a strong showing in the USL ranks, Bauque gives the City Islanders a highly pedigreed, albeit young, crop of forwards with Edinho Junior. Should be interesting to see how this duo works out. http://cityislanders.com/club-news/islanders-sign-electrifying-forward-clesio-bauque/
It sounds like the City Islanders are getting some LB/LM help - Derschang is similar to ex-Union/City Islander, Don Anding, last season. Union Rumors @UnionRumors 16m Hearing that @philaunion 2nd rounder @RobbieDerschang has signed with @city_islanders joining Ekra and Clesio as 2013 Union trialists there.
Union loan midfielders Jimmy McLaughlin and Cristhian Hernandez to the City Islanders. A few other loan candidates are injured (defender Richie Marquez and midfielder Pedro Ribeiro) or currently providing cover for other Union injuries (Zach Pfeffer).
Union 2nd rounder - LB/LM Robbie Derschang (Akron) signs with the City Islanders. RobbieDerschang @RobbieDerschang 18h Officially signed with @city_islanders happy to be here and excited to get the season underway. Have to thank the club for the opportunity
So noted above. I don't know what's going on with Basso, he was announced as returning on the team's twitter feed a while ago but has since been removed from the roster. Bua is/was on trial like Welker, but where Welker appears the roster, Bua does not, so who knows.
City Islanders announce signing of LB/LM, Raphael Cox, who last played with Tampa Bay (NASL) and Robbie Derschang (Akron University, Union 2nd rounder in 2014), who the team is viewing as a LM. http://cityislanders.com/uncategorized/rookie-midfielder-brings-versatility-to-islanders/ http://cityislanders.com/club-news/city-islanders-acquire-midfielder-raphael-cox/
Yes, it does - guess Cox takes his spot at LB. City Islanders @city_islanders We have come to a mutual agreement with Stephen Basso to release him from his contract. We wish him all the best in the future!
Union loan midfielder Ribeiro and defender Marquez to HCI on a temporary basis as both are coming of injuries they picked up at the end of preseason. Marquez plays CB - Ribeiro plays AM, LM, CM and was used a bit at forward. They both have good size (Marquez - 6'2", Ribeiro - 6'4"). Ribeiro is different than many of the current HCI offensive players in terms of size. Kevin Kinkead @PhilUnionKevinK 3h Union news: Pedro Ribeiro and Richie Marquez are going on temporary loan to Harrisburg.
Marquez fills the most pressing need for HCI at center back with Greg Jordan released by the Union. Ribeiro certainly is intriguing with his size, Becher loves target forwards but hasn't really had a big one in a while (Pettis missed last season, Touray and Lucky were speedsters more than target forwards) so I wonder if they'll try him there? The pieces are coming together, they could use some depth in the back and there's a lot of question marks (especially with the new 19 year-old strike force), but there's some talent here once again.
Damani Richards released Richie Marquez signed on loan for season Pedro Ribeiro signed on loan for season Danny DiPrim signed
Former Union trialist and Real Madrid academy product Jose Barril included in team photo emailed to season ticket holders today. I'm guessing he's signed?
Was he the only one in the photo who has yet to be named on the roster? I could see him trialing with HCI after the Union cut him (last season - the names of pre-season trialists were reported by the local press - I did not see any of them listed this year) but would have thought the team would have either signed or cut him by now. The current roster stands at 20 players - I saw Oklahoma City list its "final" roster also with 20 players. Sacremento is carrying 23 players so there is room for more in terms of HCI.
Yes, the photo emailed this afternoon identified him by name but he's not on the website's roster yet, nor is he mentioned in the "new additions" section of the press release. Perhaps a snag in paperwork? The 20-man roster seems small, especially considering the Isles are carrying three goalkeepers. Only four players are listed as defenders (Marquez, Andrews, Zizzi, Cox), although Bahner and Derschang can provide cover in the back if needed. Nonetheless, they need more depth there.