Cleveland City Stars Sign Max Cream
February 25, 2009 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Cleveland City Stars News Release
The Cleveland City Stars today announced the signing of 21-year old Midfielder Max Cream. The native of Los Angeles, CA began his professional career by training with his hometown Los Angeles Galaxy as a 15-year old before leaving for Europe the next season.
"Max has the versatility to be a powerful and explosive striker and also a creative passer in the midfield," said Cleveland City Stars head coach Rod Underwood. "He has traveled the world at a young age and has tremendous experience against top-level talent."
Aside from joining the professional ranks as a teenager, Cream's unique background also includes duel citizenship as the son of an American mother and a British father.
Cream's father and grandfather were a big part of his soccer upbringing and the U.K. citizenship helped with the transition to playing in Europe.
"It was a great experience to play with the professionals at that age," said Cream. "I would train with the first team, play with the U19 and reserve teams, and then travel with the first team to watch the matches in the stands. I had the chance to visit storied grounds like Parkhead and Ibrox. I love the game and at that age I was still more of a fan than a professional player."
After a training stint with Stoke City, Cream played on the U19 club for Dundee United and with the reserve team for Dunfermline Athletic in the Scottish Premier League before returning home for a trial session with the Los Angeles Galaxy during the 2006-07 season.
Cream returned to Europe the following season, joining the first team of SV Meppen in Germany where he registered 4 goals in 12 appearances before moving on to Shelbourne FC of the Irish 1st Division in 2008.
Cream believes the international travels will prove beneficial during his initial season in the USL First Division.
"The USL has a very international feel with clubs like the Puerto Rico Islanders, Vancouver Whitecaps and the Montreal Impact," said Cream. "Even the Portland Timbers have a very European style fan base at their matches. I'm excited because all of this will feel very familiar to me, just in a different setting."
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USL First Division Stories from February 25, 2009
- Impact takes 2-0 win in front of big crowd - Montreal Impact
- Montreal downs Santos 2-0 - USL-1
- RailHawks add English and Scottish Premier League Veteran - North Carolina FC
- USL-1 clubs resume Champions League action - USL-1
- Rhinos Pre Season Plans Announced - Rochester Rhinos
- Cleveland City Stars Sign Max Cream - Cleveland City Stars
- Whitecaps Set for Historical Preseason Trip - Vancouver Whitecaps
- The Impact Faces Mexican Club Santos Laguna Tonight at Olympic Stadium - Montreal Impact
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