The Wizards are trialing Zahui Thierry, a diminutive 21 year-old from Ivory coast West Africa. Below are details from his agent. He started his soccer career from African Sports Academy, African sports is one of the giants in Ivorian football. He graduated to the sr team, he played with them for couple of yrs and transferred to another first division club called Sabe Sport de Bouna, he transfer to another first division club named Sporting Club De Ganoua then Back to African sports where his currently playing. He has represented his country in the National U-17 and U- 20. He helped his team win the Ivorian league and cup championships. Also represented his country with his club in the CAF competitions. Also with his team played against Inter milan in Italy last year. He is extra ordinarily gifted player. Vermes had this to say - "He's just somebody we're taking a look at. He's an interesting character, very explosive. We're just trying to see what he can do."
Interesting, probably the trialist that played in the second half of the Brass game. I remember last year Vermes and the Wizards did a lot of talking about tapping into the African market.
Do not read too much into the trialist label for the guy from the Brass game. Not sure who he is but I also heard him described as a college player working out with the team to get in shape. I will post a photo of him later so you can CSI him. I will have a post up in awhile with shots of the trialist from the Ivory Coast. Vermes had plans to host a camp or combine in Africa last year. Those plans fell through but he maintained contacts in Africa to direct promising players to him. I think the Africa combine may have been canceled for two reasons, money and the shrinking roster. They have had a couple African players in to try out this year already, but nobody that they were wanting to sign now.
So that's who it was practicing yesterday... He looked OK, but if we're talking about the same guy, he is TINY. I'm talking maybe 5' 2" tiny.
That's so mean it's actually funny. Though, you've got to give Watson credit as he does win a pretty good share of headers from much taller players. How old is this guy again? 12?
I was hoping to get shot of him next to Cristman or Kronberg but never did. That would have made him look tiny.
Belly laughed at that one .... but then Diego Maradona was 5'4", he just needs to learn to use his hands at opportune times.
He reminds me of Eddie Henderson that use to play indoor for Milwaukee. He was like 5'1" but he was faster than hell and could usually beat anyone to the ball.
The "extra"player - non-trialist - who played in the Brass game is from Loyola University of Chicago. His name is Michael Ferguson. He will be a senior.
He's a pretty good player... Local kid (Pembroke Hill, his dad's the Faculty Athletics Rep. for UMKC) who has done decently at Loyola. Was on the Hermann watch list last year, and will likely appear there again this year.
If this Ivorian player is going to be a winger, then it doesn't really matter how tall he is. If he's fast, even better. This team could use some speed. And look at his legs, it looks like he could squat 500 lbs.
Agree - and if he can really create some separation between himself and his markers, then I think size becomes less of an issue.