By RYAN TOLMICH
Dane Murphy’s playing career is over, but his time with the New York Cosmos hasn’t come to an end
The Cosmos announced Monday that Murphy has retired as a player and taken the role as the club’s Head Scout and Performance Analyst. In total, Murphy made 10 appearances in two seasons with the club.
In addition to his role as a scout, Murphy will work closely with the Cosmos newly founded reserve team, which is set to begin play in 2015 in the NPSL.
“It was a difficult decision for me since I feel that I can still contribute on the field,” Murphy said. “However, the opportunity as head scout and to become immersed in the technical evaluation and analysis of players was one that I couldn’t pass up.”
Cosmos head coach Giovanni Savarese believes that the introduction of the reserve team is integral to the team’s future. The new team, which will also be under the guidance of Spanish forward Raul, will give the Cosmos a chance to ease young players into the club while keeping a close eye on youth development.
“The goal is to keep finding players, develop players and to give more chances to the first team players that need to play,” Savarese told SBI. “Guys that are recovering will have a place to play before they step onto the first team.
“What I hope is that they can have more games during the year and that we can extend something more that this team can be playing more year round. We’ll see how things will develop in that regard in the future, but for now, the purpose of this year will be to set ourselves up for the future.”
Here are some more of this week’s NASL news and notes:
ARMADA ADD FORMER BARCELONA B COACH HOYOS
Guillermo Hoyos has seen some of the very best in his career. As a former head coach at Barcelona B, the Argentine played a role in the development of Lionel Messi.
But now, Hoyos is set to move stateside for his next coaching stop.
The Jacksonville Armada announced Monday that the club has hired Hoyos to serve as a co-head coach alongside current head coach José Luis Villarreal. The pair previously worked together from 2005-07 in Venezuela.
“I am thrilled to be joined here in the Jacksonville by my good friend Guillermo,” Villarreal said. “We not only share the same coaching philosophy, approach to the style of play and work ethic, we also share a friendship of 27 years.
“We have both worked together in the past and I am looking forward to him adding his considerable knowledge and experience to our efforts here at the Armada and sharing the head coaching responsibilities with him.”
In addition to his time with Barcelona, Hoyos’ career has taken him to stops in Cyprus, Greece, Bolivia, Argentina and Colombia.
“I welcome this opportunity to work with José,” Hoyos said. “We are both fully committed to pursuing our goal of bringing great success to Armada FC and the city of Jacksonville. It is very exciting to be teaming up again with my old friend José, and I am very excited to be joining the Armada in the club’s inaugural season.
“I am fully committed to supporting José and continuing the great work he has already started in developing a strong playing identity and achieving success for the Armada FC both in the short and long term.”
STRIKERS ADD DEFENDERS ADELEYE, SMITH
In need of some defensive additions, the Fort Lauderdale Strikers have bolstered their backline with a pair of international-based signings.
The Strikers have added defenders Ryan Adeleye and Karston Smith, who played last season in Israel and Iceland respectively.
Adeleye comes to Fort Lauderdale via Hapoel Ashkelon, for whom he made 40 starts and scored four goals in two seasons. Prior to his move to Israel, Adeleye played three seasons at the University of North Carolina. Adeleye is a dual Israeli-American citizen.
“Ryan Adeleye came from one of the country’s top soccer programs in UNC Chapel Hill and has five years of professional experience from the Israeli top division under his belt,” Strikers general manager Amaury Nunes said in a statement. “His versatility, strength, and speed will make him a key defensive player for the team this season.”
Smith joins from Iceland’s Knattspyrnufélag Akureyrar after previously featuring for Finnish club Vaasan Palloseura, where he was part of a Europa League qualifying campaign. The 26-year-old had previously played in the USL Pro, as well as American University.
“Karsten Smith is a solid left-footed center back who has good professional experience here in the U.S. and has performed well the past two seasons in Europe,” Nunes said. “He has developed and matured as a player, and we look forward to seeing what he will add to our roster.”
OTTAWA FURY ADD FORMER TFC FORWARD WIEDEMAN
Andrew Wiedemen is set to trade one Canadian club for another with a move to Ottawa.
Ottawa Fury FC announced Monday that the club has signed the former Toronto FC and FC Dallas forward. The 25-year-old made 44 MLS appearances , seven in 2014, and scored four goals.
“Andrew will bring a different dimension to our front line,” Fury FC head coach Marc Dos Santos said in a statement. “He’s a dynamic player with a great work ethic, and he will definitely add something to our offense.”
“I am very excited to join Ottawa Fury FC,” Wiedeman added. “The club has big aspirations, and I am delighted to have the opportunity to help.”
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What do you think of these notes? What do you expect from Cosmos reserve team in coming seasons? Excited by the Armada’s hire? Which team has made the best moves so far this offseason?
Share your thoughts below.