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NASL Ticker: Fury sign former Crew draft pick; Sandoval returns to Silverbacks; and more

DrewBeckie2013MLSSuperDraft (Getty)

By DAN KARELL

A former Canadian youth international is returning to his roots in Ottawa.

Ottawa Fury FC announced the signing of former Columbus Crew defender Drew Beckie to a one-year contract, taking their total roster to 11 players ahead of the 2014 North American Soccer League season. After being drafted by the Crew as the 28th overall pick, Beckie spent the season playing with the reserves and never made an appearance with the Crew.

“We are very happy to bring a former Fury player back home,” Fury FC head coach Marc Dos Santos said in a statement. “We believe Drew needs to play games so he could develop better as a player. He’s very committed and responsible on the field and his energy and enthusiasm should prove beneficial to his teammates.”

Beckie returns to Ottawa for the first time since 2012 when he helped win a PDL division title with the Ottawa Fury PDL side. Beckie also has experience with Canada’s Under-17/20/and U-23 programs in the past.

Here are some more notes to get you caught up around NASL:

HONDURAN MIDFIELDER SANDOVAL RETURNS TO ATLANTA

As the Atlanta Silverbacks build their roster for the upcoming North American Soccer League season, they’re bringing back some familiar faces.

Former Silverbacks midfielder Junior Sandoval has returned to the club, signing a contract for the upcoming season pending the receipt of his international transfer certificate USSF approval. Sandoval played with the Silverbacks in 2011 on loan from the Puerto Rico Islanders and spent the last two seasons in his native Honduras with Marathon.

Though from Honduras, Sandoval attended high school in the Atlanta area and spent one season at Georgia Perimeter College before becoming a professional in 2010.

“We like Junior a lot, and we think he is going to be a nice addition to our team,” Silverbacks technical director Eric Wynalda said in a statement. “The Silverbacks are very lucky to get a player of his caliber and the fact that he is already very familiar with our organization and the city of Atlanta is a big plus.”

FC EDMONTON SIGN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO INTERNATIONAL

FC Edmonton rounded out their defensive signings this winter with a young international with plenty of potential.

The Canadian club announced on Thursday that they’ve come to terms with Kareem Moses, a 23-year-old Trinidad and Tobago international. Moses arrives on a transfer from North East Stars FC in his native country.

“I worked very closely with Steven Hart to track down Kareem,” Colin Miller, FC Edmonton’s head coach said in a statement. “I flew to Trinidad to watch Kareem play and was very impressed with what I saw and how he acted. I think Kareem adds to what we believe will be another real quality signing for FC Edmonton and one that the community will embrace.”

Moses has earned six caps with the full Trinidad and Tobago National Team since 2012, most recently playing in a June friendly match against Estonia in 2013.

FORMER U.S. PLAYER OF THE YEAR RETURNS TO ROWDIES

A former member of the Tampa Bay Rowdies old NASL side has returned to the club.

The Rowdies appointed former U.S. Men’s National Team and Rowdies midfielder Perry Van Der Beck to be their new general manager on Wednesday, taking over for minority owner Andrew Nestor. Van Der Beck, who has played, coached, and worked in front offices of soccer teams throughout Tampa for the last 20 years, was formerly the Rowdies executive vice president, technical director, and head of player development.

“Perry is the perfect man to lead the Rowdies into this new era,” club owner and chairman Bill Edwards said in a statement.  “His personal history with the team, along with his passion, vision and proven track record at developing young talent, will help him build a perennial winner here in Tampa Bay.  Together we will do great things for the club and our community.”

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What do you think of these reports? Think Beckie can make an impact with the Fury? Do you see Sandoval as a replacement for Pedro Mendes in the Silverbacks lineup? What does Moses add to FC Edmonton’s already stout defense?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Really loving the fact that all these former MLS and USMNT players are now becoming coaches themselves. It really shows how American soccer is growing and entering into a new generation.

    Reply

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