Roster Moves and a Date With a Trap
Pending league approval, the Alamo City Soccer Club releases Michel and Eric Hassli and signs Diego Fagundez (NE) and Edgar Mejia (CHVUSA). If approved, this move will follow up on Alamo's trade of highly touted play maker Daigo Kobayashi to Alliance for Will Johnson. Frustration and disappointment color the sentiment about Kobayashi's time in San Antonio. "He's a fantastic player and his work is all over the Whitecaps play on the field. Unfortunately he just wasn't a fit for us. It happens sometimes ... even with players of his level. We hope that he has success at Alliance ... just not this week." The move brought in the hard working Will Johnson, who the Battle have had on their radar for a couple of years. "We loved his play when he was with RSL, but because of their play makers he wasn't really able to show his true ability. Now he's getting that shot and he's showing what we felt he had." The two clubs will face off against each other this week and both players will immediately get to face their old clubs. As for Fagundez, the Battle feel his reward is well worth the risk. "Going back to the end of last year, Fagundez has showed why he was signed at such a young age. He's a phenomenal talent and with NE's struggles he's been given an opportunity. At the moment he's making the most of it and is really pushing to be a regular starter. We're still fleshing out the final spots on our roster, and Diego presents an opportunity that is well worth the risk at this point. Just like with Kobayashi, Michel's transition with Dallas has moved him out of an effective slot for us. As a pressing defender he's an absolute steal and presents as big of a scoring threat as there is. Having been placed in the midfield as a box-to-box and being relied on to control the middle of the field, he just loses that effectiveness for us. It's a shame, because he's one of the best players in the league and as a defender, was one of the best threats around. He's just not the threat we need anymore." The club also brings back Edgar Mejia who had been released while serving a red card suspension.
Due to scheduling, two Alamo City players will be unavailable for selection leaving the club with one sub.
This week the Battle will also be facing Mexican Club giant, Club America in the Final of the 2013 Freedom Cup. Both squads enter the match on 3pts after having beaten Chivas handily.
Week 10 Lineup Vs Alliance/Club America:
Will Johnson
Giles Barnes
Andy Driver
Brandon Barklage
Thierry Henry
Adam Jahn
Olmes Garcia
Obafemi Martins
Diego Fagundez
Edgar Mejia
Clint Irwin
Kleberson
Maicon Santos
Kenny Cooper
Jimmy Nielsen
transactions approved.
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