Snip: A year after first seeing Alex Smith, Miron Bleiberg has signed the hotshot Sydney Olympic striker to a one-year deal at Gold Coast United. Four goals in two NSW Premier League games has convinced Bleiberg that the English-born 25-year-old is just as good as he was when invited to train on the Glitter Strip in late 2010. http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/200860,miron-signs-us-striker.aspx He would be a teammate of Shane Smeltz -- though he, unlike Smeltz, isn't listed on the club's roster page yet: http://www.goldcoastunited.com.au/default.aspx?s=aleague_team As of April 4 he was still with Sydney Olympic: Sydney Olympic found their winner in the 61’ minute courtesy of ‘man of the moment’ Alex Smith who scored his fourth goal of the season – Smith is incidentally the scorer of each of Sydney Olympic’s goals thus far, this season. http://www.goldcoastunited.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=39451 http://www.sydneyolympicfc.com/teams/players/202 This is actually a guy we have discussed a LONG time ago: https://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=221882 http://www.mlssoccer.com/player/alex-smith?quicktabs_2=0
Good for him ... The A-League is a decent level of competition. Reasonably comparable to MLS. And he's still young enough to make some kind of impression.
Here's a feature artilce on Alex Smith that came out last night at Yanks Abroad. REBIRTH DOWN UNDER Smith has an interesting personal story. He was completely out of the game but is rebounding his career in Australia.
Thanks for the article. Its good to hear he has gotten another chance. Thankfully the rules have changed and now college players can train with clubs and still keep eligibility if they follow a few simple rules. Good thing he didn't give up soccer completely after college! I'm sure a lot of players would feel defeated and lose all hope if they lost their college eligibility.
Latest from the A-league website http://www.a-league.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=40044 Season does not start until October
Snip: A few weeks ago, American striker Alex Smith was unceremoniously dumped by Gold Coast United as he was in the final stages of preparing for the A-League season. Back at Sydney Olympic, he's kept scoring eye-catching goals - including the winner in a trial match against Sydney FC. But none have been as important as his typically spectacular volley from a cleared corner which opened the scoring after just two minutes in the grand final. And guess what? Smith might be back at Gold Coast United for the opening game of the season next Sunday after all. Today he travels across the Tasman to try and convince Wellington Phoenix he's worth a spot as a guest player. If the deal can be done, wouldn't it be ironic if he continued his scoring run at Skilled Park next weekend? http://www.smh.com.au/sport/football/the-power-of-passion-20111003-1l52t.html
Another story about Smith: After his form earned him a contract with Gold Coast United, the A-League club controversially paid him out a month ago in order to bring in former Blackburn Rovers striker Maceo Rigters. http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/219178,alex-smith-my-grand-final-delight.aspx It seems he scored a hell of a goal to help Sydney Olympic win the NSW Premier League today.
Looks like things going pretty well. "He's come at a tough time leading into the opening game of the season. But he's settled well," said Herbert. "He looks a decent enough player. We won't use him this weekend. I'll make a call next week. He's doing most things right." http://www.sportal.co.nz/football-news-display/phoenix-complete-roster-141318
Alex has quite the story. From Centenary College of Louisiana to playing in New Zealand in the Aussie top flight.
Alex made his A-League debut last night for Wellington Phoenix. He came on as a 2nd half sub in a 2-0 win.
Looks like he might be starting Sunday in Perth http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/sport/football/5826173/Alex-Smiths-lucky-break-with-Phoenix/ Can be seen live on hitsports.net With the time difference he'll also make the Cleveland game for the 49ers
Smith went 90 minutes as Wellington Phoenix fell on the road to Perth Glory 1-0. This game will up on foxsoccer.tv on Monday in the event anyone really wants to see him. Hopefully he has more success against the Browns this afternoon.
Continues to impress, playing defensive mid http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/sport/football/5891335/Phoenix-plug-on-without-striker/ Brisbane v Wellington game will be on Fox Soccer Nov 12/13
Guys, let's definitely try to keep the ratio of NFL/soccer references in this thread as high as possible. All this Australian stuff is really bringing down the numbers.
I thought he was a forward and was signed to replace an injured forward. Why are they playing him as a dmid?
It's not the NFL, offense and defense are both on the field at the same time. Smith is really an attacking midfielder but so are Wellington's other mids, so he's playing where he's needed. He's good in the air which helps in that position.
Fox Soccer Channel this Saturday night Wellington at Brisbane 1am ET Then on Fox Football Sunday v NYG
Smith scored his first goal for Wellington Phoenix earlier today going the distance in a 3-1 road loss to Melbourne Victory.