Caps acquire sniper from Montreal
March 29, 2006 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Vancouver Whitecaps News Release
Vancouver Whitecaps Director of Soccer Operations, Bob Lenarduzzi, announced today that the Whitecaps have acquired forward Eduardo (Eddie) Sebrango from the Montreal Impact in exchange for forward Daniel Antoniuk.
Sebrango, 32, comes to Vancouver after playing with Montreal the last four years. Last season the 6'1", 180-pound forward played 12 games, scoring four goals for the Impact, including the game winner against Vancouver on September 11. During his time in Montreal, Sebrango helped the Impact lift the United Soccer League (USL) First Division championship trophy in 2004, and he was tied for the league lead in goal scoring with 18 goals in 2002.
"Eddie is one of the most dangerous strikers in our league," said Whitecaps head coach Bob Lilley. "His experience and knowledge of the game will be a huge asset on the field and in our locker room. It's always difficult to lose a very talented player like Daniel Antoniuk but to get quality you have to lose quality. Eddie has scored big goals in big games for many years as well as winning championships in Rochester and Montreal."
This will be the Cuban-born Sebrango's second stint in Vancouver; his first professional season was with the Vancouver 86ers (now Whitecaps) in 1999. While in Vancouver, Sebrango enjoyed his best statistical season, netting 18 goals and adding 10 helpers for 46 points. He finished one point behind teammate Niall Thompson for the overall league scoring championship. After leaving Vancouver he played in Rochester, winning the USL First Division Championship, Hershey and then Montreal. Overall, Sebrango has tallied 68 goals and 21 assists for 157 career points in the USL First Division. Vancouver will be the third club in which Sebrango has played under head coach Bob Lilley; 2001 in Hershey and 2002-2003 in Montreal.
Sebrango is currently playing for the Milwaukee Wave of the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL). This season he has scored 14 goals and assisted on six in 24 games for the Wave. Sebrango will be available to play for the Whitecaps following the completion of Milwaukee's season. Milwaukee's final regular season game is April 9 and the league final will be played during the May 5-7 weekend.
Before suiting up in the USL and MISL, Sebrango played in Cuba with the Sancti Spiritus and in 1997 he was awarded Cuban Player of the Year. Sebrango has also played for the Cuban national team.
Daniel Antoniuk signed with the Whitecaps as a free agent on February 1, 2006.
WHITECAPS PRE-SEASON ACTION
The Whitecaps failed to the find mark Tuesday night, as they dropped a 1-0 decision in their pre-season opener against the Fraser Valley Soccer League All-Stars before a crowd of nearly a thousand at Surrey's Newton Athletic Park. The Whitecaps efforts throughout the match were hampered by poor finishing, with most of Vancouver's chances missing the target. Striker Joey Gjertsen came closest, as he thumped a shot off the underside of the crossbar at 39'. The FVSL All-Stars netted the game's only goal at 55', as veteran midfielder Cam Willmets of Chilliwack slotted a rebound past Caps goalkeeper Srdjan Djekanovic.
Twenty-two players saw action for the Whitecaps, as coach Bob Lilley used the game to evaluate players on tryout, with many first team regulars not even being dressed.
The Whitecaps next pre-season match is Friday, March 31 at 7:00 PM in Langley against Trinity Western University.
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USL First Division Stories from March 29, 2006
- Whitecaps sign midfielder/forward - Vancouver Whitecaps
- 2006 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Structure, Dates Announced - USL-1
- Caps acquire sniper from Montreal - Vancouver Whitecaps
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