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Atlanta's Ceus Named to Haiti's Gold Cup Roster

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


Atlanta Silverbacks goalkeeper Steward Ceus has been selected to the Haitian national team's 23-man roster for the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup making him one of seven NASL players chosen for the 12-team continental tournament that opens July 7.

"It's always a tremendous honor to be called up and represent Haiti," Ceus said. "In a tournament such as the Gold Cup, it's even more of a blessing to be a part of it and help the team in any way I can."

Ceus debuted for Les Grenadiers in 2010, but this will be his first opportunity to participate in the Gold Cup after gaining World Cup qualifying and Caribbean Cup experience in his previous seven Haiti caps. Ceus also received an international call-up during preseason, but had to decline Haiti's trip to Asia while he recovered from minor knee surgery.

After being named to Haiti's preliminary 30-man roster, Atlanta's 6-foot-6 shot-stopper joined Haiti's pre-Gold Cup training camp on Monday in Bradenton, Fla., to prepare for his first experience in the biennial tournament. Ceus is one of three NASL players - alongside Jacksonville's Pascal Millien and Fort Lauderdale's James Marcelin - to make Haiti manager Marc Collat's final 23-man roster.

"It's going to be such an intense atmosphere," Ceus said. "I'm looking to go in and battle every day of training and every day on the pitch. There's a lot of excitement surrounding this and I'm hoping we can all perform at our best."

Drawn into a challenging Group A that features three 2013 semifinalists, Ceus and Haiti will play the tournament's opening match July 7 (5 p.m.) against Panama in Frisco, Texas, before facing off against the defending champions, the United States, on July 10 (8:30 p.m.) in Foxboro, Mass. Les Grenadiers close Group A play July 11 against Honduras (7 p.m.) in Kansas City, Mo.

"The U.S. is going to be a good challenge for the team," Ceus said. "We're definitely going to have to remain focused and work together as a unit. We'll have to bring our best as a team."

During Ceus' international duty, Silverbacks No. 2, C.J. Cochran, will step into goal once again for head coach Gary Smith's side. Cochran played the Spring Season's first three games in relief of Ceus while he recovered from his preseason injury. Cochran held Atlanta's opponents to a single goal per game in his first three matches as a professional.

The Silverbacks will play two Fall Season matches - July 4 at Tampa Bay and July 11 against Jacksonville Armada FC - while Haiti participates in the Gold Cup's group stage. If Haiti advances from the group stage, Gold Cup quarterfinals will be held July 18 and 19, the same weekend Atlanta visits the Fort Lauderdale Strikers. The Georgia Dome will host the tournament's semifinals July 22 at the Georgia Dome, with the tournament wrapping up four days later with the final in Philadelphia.

Ceus bounced back from the early setback in his first NASL season to play eight games in goal for Silverbacks head coach Gary Smith, performing well enough to earn the Gold Cup nod from Collat. Ceus has earned Team of the Week honors twice and recorded 23 total saves, ranking third in the league.

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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.

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