Steve Loverso, a recent professional signee of Falkirk FC of the Scottish First Division, scored to beat Chester-Le-Street 1-0. Loverso played two years of college ball, one at Rutgers and one at College of Charleston, before signing this summer. He's a target forward in the mold of Conor Casey or Kenny Cooper (6'5", 215) but obviously not at that level (yet?). Falkirk is one of 10 teams in the First Division and finished 4th last season. http://www.falkirkfc.co.uk/content/latestnews_news.asp?storyid=921
Thanks for this. "Loverso, at 6-3 and 210 lbs, is an imposing presence who can play any field position. He racked up 34 points up front as a senior at Warwick Valley (N.Y.) High School, and was named to his second consecutive All-County team, after being selected to the All-State squad as a midfielder in his junior season. Loverso also has extensive club soccer experience, having trained with W Connection, a First Division Club squad coached by Brian Williams, a former captain of the Trinidadian National Team. He also played in Italy last winter in the Viagreggio Tournament. He has played in Trinidad as well, earning MVP honors in the Island Vision tourney held there in August of 2000. Like Shlomi, Loverso has also played ODP soccer, as a member of the Eastern NY teams from 1999-2001. "Steve is an excellent addition to our team," Reasso said. "He is a big, strong and technical left-footed player. He is also very versatile and is comfortable playing up front, in the middle or as a back." www.dailytargum.com/news/2002/02/08/Sports/Recruits.Commit.To.Rutgers-179659.shtml
Let's not downplay Falkirk here. Yes it's hardly a large club but it isn't, strictly speaking, a tiny one either. I believe they were the club that won promotion to the SPL a year before last and were denied due to having insufficient grounds to join the league (a situation Inv. Cal. Thistle narrowly avoided this year). With Inv. Cal. Thistle appearing to have shown the way, Falkirk's really only another good season away from playing Rangers and Celtic regularly for a year, and for a YA that wouldn't be such bad work.
Apparently he hasn't been signed yet. This is from the news section on the Falkirk site. "Yogi also gave an update on Steve Loverso, “I understand some of the supporters are wondering how we can sign Steve with him being American. To clear that matter up for them, the situation is that Steve’s parents are Italian, and he can therefore claim dual nationality by obtaining an Italian passport. He hasn’t done that as yet, but it is an option. That said, again I haven’t decided on whether or not to sign Steve. He is a good player, but maybe not quite ready for the first team. I’ll continue to assess that situation this week."
Americano e Orgulho, Thanks for that. I'd emailed the team a few days ago trying to find out whether he'd been signed but never heard anything...
I know Steve and his brother and I don't think his parents are first generation Italian. I can find out for certain though. As for passport issues, do you have to be second generation to qualify, or can you qualify as third generation (as I think Steve is)?
As it happens, I know a good bit about obtaining Italian citizenship. You can qualify through as far back as a great-grandparent given certain conditions.
Loverso played in Falkirk's next match (after the one mentioned here) but teh team went down 0-2 to Kilmarnock: http://www.falkirkfc.co.uk/content/latestnews_news.asp?storyid=929 He played again in a 2-0 win over East Fife: http://www.falkirkfc.co.uk/content/latestnews_news.asp?storyid=935 He didn't play against Dundee: http://www.falkirkfc.co.uk/content/latestnews_news.asp?storyid=937 He scored playing as a back against Craigroyston three days ago: http://www.falkirkfc.co.uk/content/latestnews_news.asp?storyid=941 The team subsequently signed a Portuguese striker on Monday: http://www.falkirkfc.co.uk/content/latestnews_news.asp?storyid=942 Loverso didn't play yesterday against Luton Town: http://www.falkirkfc.co.uk/content/latestnews_news.asp?storyid=945 In short, he doesn't appear to have been signed or cut as of yet. If he plans on returning to school, I would think he would need to start thinking about heading home once August comes around. No idea his plans, however, or if he has any other trials lined up should Falkirk Falthrough.
Dave, why is the Peter Gabriel song "Digging in the Dirt" bouncing around in my head? Actually, I think the stuff you do (finding sometime obscure, sometimes even more then obscure Yanks) is one of the coolest things about BS..
He didn't even start a game, only 2 goals scored, and he is battling for a spot on a Scottish team that is mostly more top league Scotland then anything else? My, how we are getting better....
It didn't happen for Steve in Falkirk. Not sure if he plans to return to school (or even if he can) or whether he'll be off to more trials. As a free agent the transfer window shouldn't affect him. "American trialist Steve Loverso hasn't done enough to earn a future in Falkirk. Hughes said: "He's a great big guy and we'd have loved to try and educate him but there just isn't the money available." http://www.falkirktoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=928&ArticleID=830582
Hi Guys - I thought Id update you on Steves progress. I met Steve yesterday on a ferry from Scotland to Northern Ireland, and we ended up chatting for the length of the journey, he seems a really decent guy. He said it didnt work out at Falkirk despite doing well, and he was going to Larne FC to hopefully sign yesterday. Larne play in the northern Irish first division, and are currently about 4th bottom of the league. On the subject of his parents, both his mother and father are full Italian, so he would have no trouble playing for a team in Europe. (it was a 2 hour ferry ride, so we got through a lot of conversation ) Were going to keep in touch anyway, so ill let you guys know how he's getting on over here, but he did say he's enjoying the experience even though he hasnt been picked up yet, and if it dosent work out he will go back to complete his college course or try out for the American leagues.
Keep us posted! It does sound like he did well at Falkirk, but gosh if No. Ireland isn't a step down... And he sure would be hard to follow there. Didn't see this move coming.
Just a couple of points... - Larne are in the Northern Irish Premier League. 2004/2005 will be the club's second season in the top flight following their promotion in 2002/2003. - Larne finished 14th out of 16 last season. - Larne went through a few changes during the close season. Jimmy McGeough was appointed manager. - The new league season hasn't started yet. Larne are currently competing in the league cup which preceeds the league. I think Steve has signed for Larne, if he hasn't then I think it is just a case of dotting 'i's and crossing 't's. I'm told he will be playing tomorrow in a friendly match. The top Northern Irish Premier League clubs would be a similar standard to the Scottish Second division teams, and the lesser clubs similar to Scottish 3rd division. Steve should do very well at Larne. It won't be too hard for you to follow Steve's progress.
Well , Steve opened his account with a hat-trick in a 5-0 friendly win over Donegal Celtic of Irish League div 1 .
on a related note, american dave bulow has signed for limavady utd, also in the irish premier league with larne, from cape cod crusaders. apparently the cape cod manager is originally from the limavady area and recommended him.
although not strictly yanks abroad (more irishman in america returns home story) i just thought maybe some of you might be interested in the fact that larne's new manager, Jimmy McGeough, had spent over 20 years on the soccer scene in the US "As a player, he clocked up 71 goals in six seasons at Sheffield Wednesday before returning to the province with Derry City, where he won a League and Cup double. It wasn't long before he moved south to Waterford United, winning four Championships in five wonderful seasons. In 1976 he bade Northern Ireland farewell and embarked on a new life in the United States, where he was appointed player/manager of New York Apollo and within four seasons the likeable Belfast man had twice delivered the American Soccer League Championship title. McGeough also enjoyed spells with New York United and the New York Nationals, picking up two Manager of the Year awards. Towards the end of the 80s, Jimmy turned his attentions to College football, enjoying further Championship glory. He was then snapped up by the Brooklyn Knights, where he spent two years as head coach. A brief spell at Hota Bavarians followed before he took up the role of assistant manager at Tampa Bay Mutiny. Following the appointment as boss of Perry Van Der Beck at the Florida club, Jimmy upped sticks and returned home, hoping to try his luck either side of the border. His first port of call was Waterford United, where he had tasted success as a player over 20 years previously. It must have seemed like he had never been away, for he promptly led the Blues to the First Division title and into the promised land of the Premier League. "
Dave Marino-Nachison - could you email me please - mark_brooks@beeb.net - I spoke to steve today, and he was interested in what you had to say about obtaining an italian passport, he would like to correspond with you. Marquis de Sage - he would also like to get in touch with you too to find out who you are, so if you want to email me too ill pass on his email. Steve said he scored one on his first game, and a hattrick on his second, he said he will give me a call after tomorrows game, the first competitive game of the season, Ill let you guys know how he gets on. Hello to steves mom too as he said she reads this page
here are a few links relating to italian citizenship. maybe steve will find them useful. http://www.regalis.com/citizen.htm http://www.meltingpot.org/articolo1060.html http://www.italiamerica.org/id72.htm http://www.mondotrentino.net/guida1/inglese/cittCba.htm i have heard steve will be with us (larne) initially for 6 months. i personally think he will do really well here and hope he can stay for at least the full season. i have a feeling he could become a bit of a fans favourite after watching him last friday. lets hope he can do the business tomorrow (today now) please wish him all the best from the larne fans. also, hello to steve's mom!
Steve just texted me to say Larne won 1-0 today - and he scored the only goal in the game - quite a turn around for Larne as he told me yesterday they beat them 5-0 i think in a friendly the week before he signed.