Stars Sign Haitian National Team Member Ricardo Pierre-Louis From MLS Champions
March 17, 2009 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Cleveland City Stars News Release
The Cleveland City Stars today signed forward Ricardo Pierre-Louis from the Haitian National Team. The prolific scorer won the MLS Cup while spending last season with the Columbus Crew after Columbus selected Pierre-Louis 22nd overall in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft.
Pierre-Louis replaced former Stars midfielder Adam Moffat on the Columbus roster when the Scotsman was injured in June.
A native of Leogane, Haiti, Pierre-Louis played collegiately at Lee University in Tennessee where he recorded 101 goals and 33 assists in 63 career games. Pierre-Louis finished his collegiate career as a three-time all-Southern States Athletic Conference selection and a two-time NAIA all-American while also being named NAIA Player of the Year in 2007 and Lee University's Athlete of the Year in 2005, 2006 and 2007. At the conclusion of his Lee University career, Pierre-Louis was the only NAIA player invited to the 2008 MLS Combine.
"We are thrilled to bring Ricardo to Cleveland," said Cleveland City Stars Head Coach Rod Underwood. "He adds another dimension to our roster and he brings a goal scoring mentality to our front line. Ricardo has a lot of international experience and he spent a year learning at the MLS level and I believe those lessons will prove beneficial to him this season."
The 24-year old Pierre-Louis is an experienced international player, having already received 26 caps from the Haitian National Team. Pierre-Louis' goal scoring ability has extended to the international ranks as the 6-1, 179-pound forward has collected six goals with the national team.
Before being promoted to the senior national team, Pierre-Louis captained the Haitian U-20 team and won Caribbean championships with the U-20 and U-17 teams.
"I'm happy to join the Cleveland City Stars," said Pierre-Louis. "I'm excited to represent the city of Cleveland. I will love the jersey in the same way that the fans do and I play to make them happy."
Pierre-Louis will join the club tomorrow as the Stars continue preseason training at Brad Friedel's Premier Soccer Academy in Lorain.
USL First Division Stories from March 17, 2009
- Islanders shock Cruz Azul 2-0 - Puerto Rico Islanders
- International Rugby returns to Blackbaud Stadium - Charleston Battery
- Stars Sign Haitian National Team Member Ricardo Pierre-Louis From MLS Champions - Cleveland City Stars
- Impact And The Club Des Petits DÃjeuners Du QuÃbec Team Up For A Fourth Year - Montreal Impact
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
