Atlanta Goalkeeper Ceus Called up for World Cup Qualifiers

August 24, 2015 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Atlanta Silverbacks News Release


ATLANTA - The Atlanta Silverbacks towering goalkeeper, Steward Ceus, will join Haiti for its home-and-away series against Grenada in CONCACAF qualifiers for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Ceus was included in Haiti's 21-man roster for the Sept. 4 and 8 meetings, the Haitian Football Federation announced on Monday.

"It's always an honor and a blessing to be called into represent Haiti," Ceus said. "I'm beyond excited to be a part of the qualification process for the 2018 World Cup and I'm really looking forward to the experience. After the Gold Cup just a few weeks ago, I'm looking forward to seeing all of my teammates again."

The 28-year-old Ceus will join Haiti following the Silverbacks Aug. 29 match against FC Edmonton (7:30 p.m. | TICKETS) at Atlanta Silverbacks Park, presented by Univision. He is expected to miss just one match for Atlanta, which travels to face the Carolina RailHawks on Sept. 4 (7:30 p.m. | ESPN3).

In his stead, Atlanta-native and Georgia State University alumnus C.J. Cochran is expected to play in goal. Cochran recorded the victory when Atlanta visited Carolina on April 18.

Ceus was the No. 2 goalkeeper for Les Grenadiers in the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup, advancing to the quarterfinals of the regional tournament. Ceus made the 18-man game day roster in all four of Haiti's Gold Cup matches.

The 6-foot-6 shot stopper made his debut for Haiti in 2010 and started three matches in the Caribbean Cup - a scoreless draw against Guyana (Nov. 2), a 3-1 victory over St. Vincent and Grenadines (Nov. 4) and a 4-0 loss to Trinidad and Tobago. He earned four more caps in 2011, claiming a pair of clean sheet victories over the U.S. Virgin Islands (Sept. 2, Oct. 7) and a 4-2 victory and 2-2 draw against Curacao (Sept. 6, Oct. 11).

"The Gold Cup was an extraordinary experience and Haiti represented itself very well, as a team and as a nation on a massive stage," Ceus said. "We were able to develop some great, positive momentum moving forward - and into World Cup qualifiers - which is very important for us."

In 14 games in goal for Atlanta, Ceus has allowed just 19 goals (1.36 per match) while completing 43 saves in 1,260 minutes of NASL play.

Should Haiti advance beyond Grenada in the home-and-away series, Les Grenadiers will face the winner of Jamaica and Nicaragua.



North American Soccer League Stories from August 24, 2015


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