A-League: Notebook (April 30, 1996)
- by Soccer America , Apr 30, 1996
Colorado Foxes: The Foxes entertained 1,500 fans at their new stadium facility, Mile High Greyhound Park. The open house showcased the venue's new field, features and accommodations. All Colorado players were present signing autographs and talking with aspiring athletes.... Coach Lorne Donaldson takes his team to California to play a preseason exhibition against MLS's Los Angeles Galaxy. The scrimmage is scheduled for May 2 in the Rose Bowl.
Montreal Impact: The Impact signed its first-round draft pick, midfielder/forward William Giumarra from UAB.... Midfielder John Limniatis will join the Impact in camp following the Kansas City Attack's loss to Cleveland in the NPSL finals.... Forward Eddy Berdusco is on the injury list with a bruised quad, defender Carl Fletcher with a sore hip and forward Grant Needham with a sore knee. Defender Rudy Doliscott returned to workouts recovering from a groin injury.... Montreal defeated the University of Trois-Rivieres 7-2 April 28 in a scrimmage. Lloyd Barker scored two goals....The Impact has started a program with Montreal's largest Catholic school commission entitled "Be a Winner With the Impact -- Stay in School!"
New York Fever: The Fever has agreed to terms with seven players who played for the Fever last year before the USISL team merged with the A-League's New York Centaurs: Sal Rosamilia (GK), Joe Mortarulo (D), Chris Szanto (D), Jim McElderry (M), Carlton Carter (M), Jorge Acosta (M) and Luther Boulin (M). Midfielder David Vaudreuil and defender Carlos Llamosa are two returning players from the Centaurs. Vaudreuill was released by MLS's Los Angeles Galaxy this spring.... New York defeated Central Connecticut University 3-1 in a scrimmage.
Rochester Rhinos: The Rhinos signed four players to contracts for their inaugural season: Midfielder Danny Kelly, forward Fuseini Dauda, defender Leon Minott and defender Tim Ashe. Kelly, 27, is an indoor veteran with the Harrisburg Heat. Dauda, 20, is a native of Ghana. Ashe, 26, is a local product who finished his college career at the University of Buffalo. Minott, 27, is a native of Jamaica and a product of Rochester's Robert Wesleyan College.... Rochester defeated Syracuse University in an exhibition match 2-1.
Seattle Sounders: The Sounders continue to dominate against the Vancouver 86ers, winning 2-1 in the A-League's season opener April 27. Seattle has won 11 of the last 14 games (6 wins and 1 loss at home). Last year, the Sounders went 7-1 against the 86ers, including a two-game sweep of their opening round playoff series. The 2-1 Seattle victory gives first-year head coach Neil Megson his first coaching win. Vancouver 86ers: The 86ers added six names to their opening day roster by signing new contracts with four of last season's prize rookies, along with newcomer Oliver Heald and veteran Doug Muirhead. Striker Garret Kusch, midfielders Paul Dailly, Giuliano Oliviero and Martin Nash, all rookies last year, signed new contracts. Dailly, 24, led the 86ers in scoring last season with 21 points (7 goals, 7 assists) and finished fifth in the league scoring race. Oliviero, 22, finished sixth in league scoring (9 goals, 1 assist) and was named the A-League's Rookie of the Year last season. Nash, 20, finished ninth last season in league scoring (5 goals, 6 assists) and missed the season opener with a back injury. Kusch, 22, sparked the 86ers last season off the bench scoring three goals, including two gamewinners. Heald, 21, joins the 86ers from the Canadian U-23 team after spending the winter with Scarborough in England. Muirhead, 34, sat last season out. He ranks third on the team's all-time games played list with 161 career regular-season games and has 31 goals.
