Lucas Rodriguez profiled and interviewed by Dos Mundos Newspaper.

Dos Mundos Newspaper recently caught up with Missouri Comets rookie of the year candidate and NSC Minnesota Stars midfielder Lucas Rodriguez and had the chance to talk with him about playing for his hometown team in the MISL.

Playing professionally for the Missouri Comets, his hometown indoor team, gives Rodriguez an emotional boost, he said, because of the responsibilities involved.

“You want to win for your family, your friends, the people (in the stands), the city, the community,” Rodriguez explained. “I have a lot of people that … look up to me and support everything I do. I … have … tons of friends and people I play soccer with that I know … would give anything they had in order to be able to represent Kansas City.”

Because of those responsibilities, Rodriguez tries to do everything possible to help the Comets win when he plays, he said. Through the Comets’ first 15 games, what Rodriguez had done was play in 12 games and contribute 22 shots; 10 points (three 3-point goals and four assists); and nine blocks.

Comets coach Kim Roentved believes Rodriguez will have a bigger impact on the team as he gains professional indoor soccer experience.   It’s clear to Roentved that Rodriguez “has lots of talent.” “He just needs to use it at the right places,” Roentved commented. “And that’s what we’ve been working on since he came into (training) camp.”

Mike Ambersley Highlighted by the St. Petersburg Times

The St. Petersburg Times took a moment to breakdown FC Tampa Bay, as the club is half-way finished with its pre-season schedule and spoke to the team's new forward, Mike Ambersley, about the new coach, Ricky Hill.


"Hill, a Rowdies player/coach in the early 1990s, is in his first American Division 2 head coaching job. He promises to offer a style of play that will be "very pleasing to the eye."


"Also, Hill's mild-mannered approach is endearing him to players. "Ricky is a great motivator," forward Mike Ambersley said. "He's really positive. You know if you make a mistake, he's not going to dog you. He's a calming influence."


Ambersley was also highlighted as one of the three newcomers to watch this season, stating: 


"The 5-foot-9 forward, who scored 11 goals last year for hometown team St. Louis, will be fun to watch. He is quick, creative with the ball at his feet and moves well without it. His style is a good fit for Hill's system, so he should get plenty of opportunities to score."

Chase Harrison Returns to the City Islanders

The Harrisburg City Islanders are proud to announce the signing of goalkeeper Chase Harrison, pending USSF approval.


Harrison rejoins the City Islanders after a one-year tour of stints with different clubs in the USL and MLS. After signing with Crystal Palace Baltimore, Harrison was sent on loan to the Richmond Kickers, starting in two games, allowing two goals and making five saves. In September, he was called up to Major League Soccer's D.C. United to back up starter Troy Perkins. In October, he signed with the Columbus Crew for their playoff run.


As a City Islander in 2009, Harrison started in sixteen games recording an impressive 8-4-4 record. With a 0.812 GAA (goals against average) and ten shutouts, he was the 2009 USL-2 GAA Champion and All-League Second Team goalkeeper. Harrison also saved 54 shots and allowed just 13 goals.

Lucas Rodriguez Scores Twice, Leads Comets In Rout Over Chicago

Fighting for their playoff lives, the Missouri Comets squared off against the Chicago Riot on Sunday night, and they did not disappoint. Trailing by 2 points in the second quarter, Lucas Rodriguez dribbled through three defenders and put a shot past the Chicago keeper to equalize the score. Rodriguez opened up some space with some crossover moves against Riot defender Marco Sullo, shot to the lower right side of the net and slotted the ball past Keeper Richey.


Rodriguez found his second goal of the match on a power play at 6:02 in the third period. This was the first multi-goal game for the rookie.


The rout was capped by a rare goal from Comets' goalkeeper Danny Waltman, when he threw the ball the length of the field into an open net.

“Good teams win when the pressure is on. This is the team we knew we had at the beginning of the season,” said team captain Byron Alvarez, “The training Coach Kim puts us through helped us to be able to play at a high level on back to back nights, we’ll feel this on Monday though.”

The Comets next game is back at the Independence Events Center on March 6 at 3:10pm when the Riot come for a visit. The Comets are currently tied with Omaha for the final position in the playoffs and another win against the Riot would help to solidify their chances for postseason play.

Troy Cole and Chris Salvaggione Find New Pro Contracts

Former AC St. Louis midfielder Troy Cole has signed with the new FC New York franchise of USL PRO. Also, it was announced recently that Cole’s former ACSTL teammate, midfielder Chris Salvaggione, has signed with USL PRO’s Charlotte Eagles.


Cole, who will turn 25 in April, played in 28 of AC St. Louis’ 30 USSF D2 games in 2010. Cole played his college ball at Mars Hill College in North Carolina, where he was captain his senior year and worked in 2009 as an assistant. Cole played in 2009 for the PDL Atlanta Blackhawks.

One of the highlights of Cole’s rookie season was playing a U.S. Open Cup match against the LA Galaxy in his hometown. Having about fifty friends and family members cheering him on, and playing against the red-hot Galaxy, was a huge thrill. AC St. Louis held the Galaxy scoreless for seventy minutes before succumbing 2-0.

Troy stopped in St. Louis on his trek east to join FC New York. He told IMS, “I couldn’t be more excited and thrilled to be joining FC New York,” said the Californian. But the young midfielder didn’t forget the fans in St. Louis from ACSTL’s star-crossed 2010 season. “I want to give a shout out to the all the AC St.Louis fans from last year, and especially the St. Louligans supporters group, who stood behind the players all year long despite what was going on off the field.”

Chris Salvaggione

Cole’s 2010 teammate, Chris Salvaggione, has signed with the Charlotte Eagles. It will be a homecoming for the Colorado native, as he finished his college career at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte.

Salvaggione, a 5’10″ midfielder/forward, is pumped about playing in Charlotte. “I am excited to play for the Eagles and return to Charlotte,” Salvaggione said. “The University and the city were incredibly supportive while I was in college, and I am ready to show that my game has progressed, and that I can be an impact player for the Eagles. The expanded schedule and the inclusion of so many great teams is going to make for a competitive season, and I am confident that between the coaching staff, the players’ dedication, and the incredible community support, that the Eagles can be one of the league’s top teams.”

Brad Stisser and Will Traynor Highlighted on the Radio, Stisser Interviewed

Soccer Sam highlights Brad Stisser and Will Traynor on Rochester Radio, including an interview with Brad Stisser.

You can hear the interview at S&E Entertainment's Website and hear the full interview at Soccer Sam's Kick This Archive.

Fojo Trials With Orlando City, Plays 70 Minutes Against Toronto in Upset

On trial with Orlando City of the USLPRO League, Justin Fojo started and played 70 minutes for the Lions against Toronto FC (MLS) in the 3rd place game of the Walt Disney World Pro Soccer Classic. The College of Charleston star played an integral part in the upset, as Orlando City defeated the MLS side 1-0. 


The Lions’ goal came after a Max Griffin grabbed hold of a long pass and made a run at the box. Ian Fuller followed in the right channel, resulting in a give-and-go that sprung him into the penalty area. TFC goalkeeper Milos Kocic came out to try and claim the through-ball, but Fuller beat Kocic to the ball, rounding the 'keeper and bent a low shot into the open net to give City a late lead they would not relinquish.