DCU has invited Alen Kozic to the team for a trial (don't know how serious this is--if he's actually being considered for a spot or not). He was originally a P-40 with Miami (pre-Hudson) who played at FIU, had a good college career, is Croatian, did a couple of the P-40 overseas tours, and the past 2-3 years has been playing lower division ball in Europe (SK Kljanik and Union Solingen). From what I remember, he's a D-mid and outside defender. I don't remember him being short (thought he was about my height--5'10" or there abouts). I don't remember anything about him skill-wise. It could be this is just a favor or to bring a body in to allow for 11v11 practices. It could be he's a candidate for a developmental spot on the roster (the league won't consider any claims by DCU for roster relief with Reyes until the other developmental slots are filled evidently). Or, given our current outside back and D-mid situation, it could be he's a legitimate candidate for a roster spot at one of those positions. Don't know for sure about any of that.
Is he classified as a TI or SI? That would likely answer the question of practice fodder vs potential roster spot.
As I recall, this guy is the son of a former NASLer that played with Hudson in Ft. Lauderdale. I do know that Kozic is from the area of Lockhart, as I saw him at the opener for the Fusion in 1998 hanging out at the English Pub around the corner. He was a mini-celeb in those parts at the time and pretty much was recognized by all the locals. Hence, it is quite possible that what is happening is that Hudson is familiar with him and is giving him a shot. I do know that he was an attacking mid and play-maker at FIU. He carried the team at the time. He had a real bad knee injury around 1998 and was coming back from it through FIU's great run in the NCAAs. Good skill, as I recall, but slow (possibly related to the knee injury at the time). Pretty big guy. Cheers, Tim
Hadn't thought about the TI/SI thing. Actually, not positive but I think he's a US citizen. He grew up in the USA, played prep ball in the TB area I thought (though he was born in Belgrade or somewhere in the former Yugoslovia). He had a pretty good rep at FIU but I thought his last P-40 tour he was listed as a defender and in Germany with his 2 clubs he evidently played defense and midfield. Don't know about the knee injury situation.
That's probably a safe assumption. I know that he's been a long-term resident of the US for sometime (evidently he was a prep start in Florida before going to FIU and then the Fusion).
I do rember this guy, and I remember him having a bad knee injury because when he came back he was still wearing a big black brace. I remember him being a very good attacking player, with some defensive capabilities. As for playing d-mid, he might have learned abroad. As for playing as an outside back, if Chino can do it, anyone can!
Alen Kozic Incorrect....Refik Kozic played for the Rowdies his entire NASL career thus playing against Hudson. Alen was only about 3 years old when Refik came to this country. They are from around Belgrade. Hope that clears up any confusion about Alen's heritage. And, in case you're wondering, Refik was and still is my all time favorite NASL player. He still lives in Tampa.
I couldn't find comfirmation anyplace of Kozic's citizenship but I'd bet he either holds a green card or is a US Citizen. He probably has dual citizenship though b/c he was listed as "Croatian" on some of his German teams (as you'd assume he would for work permit purposes). Also, it sounds like he showed well in the GMU scrimmage--both from midfield and left back. Not that it proves anything definitively. But if he's match fit, this could be intriguing. He's around 6 feet, 180 pounds. If he's good enough, it sounds like he has the quickness/speed to play on a 3-man backline. Complete speculation on my part since I didn't see the scrimmage (Dyson--any thoughts on this?).
He did seem to show well in the scrimmage. He was mentioned in every other line in Dyson's match report.
Re: Alen Kozic Tampa, Ft Lauderdale... There both in Florida, right? They both were in the NASL, right? I was close...but thanks for clearing the air. Tim
Re: Re: Alen Kozic Yep, and neither can support an MLS team. Easy to get them confused. Sunshine, old people, lack of MLS team. That sums up Florida.
Sorry Tim, just needed to be accurate in what goes on here - it's one of my quirks - especially when it deals with two teams who had a rivalry to make the DCU and Metrostars one look like a kindergarten spat. Chayes - just because Florida doesn't have any MLS teams any longer doesn't mean it's all bad down there.....they just don't have much soccer! I spent 39 years of my life calling St. Petersburg home, so I guess I'm a bit sensitive. Just my two cents anyway, for what its worth.....
Hey--we don't need to get nasty about all this. Miami suffered from an unclear plan (is it Miami, Ft. Lauderdale--what?), a lousy owner and a terrible start. Tampa Bay can support soccer but there was too much scar tissue there (from the end of the NASL days, the embezzlement the first year in MLS and then the terrible teams that followed). Just poorly run franchises both--a shame for pro soccer and the fans that lived there. Obvious, young Kozic has yet to make the squad. But if he were, that means DC United would have sons of two NASL vets. (Refik Kozic and Andranik Eskandarian). Now, if only we signed up Jordi Cryuff and had one of the Kuykendall boys on a reserve squad. Or traded for Twellman. Then we'd hold an MLS record for father-son US pro soccer ties I think.
And, most importantly, a local population that has a history of not supporting professional sports teams.
Through some eyes, this could be seen as wise. Now, back to the Kozic thing. I'm glad that he has resurfaced. When I saw him in 1997, I thought he was about the best college player I'd seen in a while. He absolutely carried his team up to the final four. Considering he was coming back from a knee injury at the time, made it all the more impressive. If he has developed some, hardened a bit, and recovered completely since then...could be a better find than DiGi... Tim
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A52963-2003Apr18.html At the end, Goff reports he will not be signed.