Eddie Gutierrez swapped for Connally Edozien
Published on August 1, 2008 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
Miami, August 1, 2008 - Miami FC has acquired forward Connally Edozien from the Carolina RailHawks in exchange for right defender Eddie Gutierrez who was playing with the Blues since May. Connally Edozien started to play for the RailHawks in 2007. There was no financial compensation involved.
Connally Edozien was born on June 26, 1978, is 6'0" tall and weighs 187 pounds. The forward played 26 games, totaling 1881 minutes, with 1 assist and 7 goals, with 15 points and 48 shots playing for the RailHawks last season.
"Edozien is a player who knows this league really well and is very good technically. We have acquired an excellent player," said Miami FC General Manager Luiz Muzzi.
"I'm very happy with this trade," said Miami FC head coach Zinho. "We are adding to our lineup a strong player who will help our team offensively. We are sad to let go of Eddie, an exceptional professional and a player who has been very good for us, but this was the best option for us at this moment and time."
Edozien was born in Nigeria, but spent much of his youth in London, England. He came to the United States in 1999 to attend Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, where he was an All-American and earned Florida Sun Conference Player of the Year in 1999 and 2000. He was the Regional XIV Player of the Year in 1999 and 2000, as well as a four-time All-Region and All-Conference performer. He is also the all-time leader in points at Embry-Riddle.
After college, Edozien played for FV Dresden Nord in Dresden, Germany. In March 2002, he signed with the Cincinnati Riverhawks after impressing during a February 2002 trial. At some point, he also played for and SC Bastia in France and the Cleveland Force in Major Indoor Soccer League. On March 21, 2005, he signed with the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer. He played nine games, never scoring in league play, and was released at the end of the 2005 season. In 2006, he spent one season with the Rochester Raging Rhinos before moving to the Carolina RailHawks in 2007.
Edozien also has international experience as a member of the Nigeria U-15 and U-17 National Teams. Beginning in 2007, he became an assistant coach with the men's soccer team at Middle Tennessee State University. In 2008 Edozien joined North Carolina's Triangle Football Club as Head Coach for the '94 Navy Ladies and the '93 Navy Men teams.
USL First Division Stories from August 1, 2008
- Sounders emerge victorious in Puerto Rico - Seattle Sounders
- Whitecaps edge Railhawks - Vancouver Whitecaps
- RailHawks lose to Vancouver Whitecaps 3-2 - North Carolina FC
- Battery beaten by Atlanta - Charleston Battery
- Timbers Add Defender Cameron Dunn To Roster - Portland Timbers
- Timbers Set For Trip To Minnesota Saturday - Portland Timbers
- RailHawks Trade Connally Edozien to Miami for Defender Eddie Gutierrez - North Carolina FC
- Eddie Gutierrez swapped for Connally Edozien - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
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