Ironbound Express Press Release – www.ironboundsoccer.com
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
NEWARK, NJ – Ironbound Express General Manager Gali Maimon along with Head Coach George Vichniakov, coach Lucio Russo and Technical Advisor Mayers Sequeira have announced the first 23 members of the Newark Ironbound Express roster for the 2010 USL Premier Development League season. All signings are pending USSF approval.
Leading the charge this season will be veteran midfielder Jeff Matteo, a 2001 graduate of St. Johns University. In January 2002, Matteo traveled abroad to train with Monza of Italian Division C1, but returned to play Major League Soccer with the Columbus Crew, who selected him 17th overall in the MLS SuperDraft.
Matteo played with Columbus and Red Bull New York in the MLS and spent three years in the United Soccer Leagues First Division. He began his USL career with the Minnesota Thunder in 2004 and went on to play with the Charleston Battery and Miami FC. He will be looked upon for leadership and help the coaching staff as a vocal leader on the pitch. During the fall, Matteo coaches at his alma mater as an assistant coach under Dr. Dave Masur.
Joining Matteo this summer will be former Red Storm teammate Matia Daimiani. Local notable college’s student-athletes on the Ironbound Express will be Kyle Grato (Rutgers), goalie Ryan Meara (Fordham), goalie Carlos Suarez (St. Peter’s), Assaf Sheleg (St. Peter’s), John Sallhag (St. Francis College), Jeverton DeLorenzi (St. Francis College), Farzan Bigdeli (St. Francis College), Leroy Sequeira (NJCU), Michael Konicoff (Boston College) Robert Larocca (Monmouth) and Shea Brown.
Konicoff was named the USL Super-20 League’s Most Valuable Player in 2007.
Also on the team this season will be former Long Island University midfielder Frank Alesci Henri Bega, Andrew Konopelsky, Joseph Afful, Arthur Kolkuv, Hemir Niebles, Kevin Meyer, Tarik Smith and Josh Trott from NY Greek-American Atlas.
The Ironbound Express will continue to hold tryouts as they look to finalize the roster before their May 8th season opener against West Virginia at Lubetkin Field at 7 p.m.
