Finalists to Convene In Los Angeles This Week for the National Finals of SUEÃO MLS 2009
Published on April 6, 2009 under Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release
NEW YORK (Monday, April 6, 2009) - After three weeks of intensive soccer competition that saw nearly 2,000 players from more than 36 different states participate in three regional tryouts for the nationally-televised player search, Sueño MLS 2009 - built by The Home Depot, 12 very talented finalists are headed to Los Angeles this week for the "Final Event," and a chance to be crowned this year's Sueño MLS champion.
The last four standouts were selected by Chicago Fire scouts this past weekend from a group of 600 players following two days of tryouts at the Schaumburg Olympic Park. Chosen were: defender Ricardo Buendia, of Cicero, Ill., midfielder Josue Chavez of Elgin, Ill., midfielder Alberto Lopez of Aurora, Ill. and forward Steve Palma of Grand Junction, Colo.
Adding to the excitement of the weekend for the Chicago winners was a surprise post-tryout visit on Sunday, April 5, to the Chicago Fire home opener at Toyota Park, where they got to meet in person their idol, Mexican Superstar and Fire midfielder Cuauhtémoc Blanco.
Now in its third year, Sueño MLS 2009 - built by The Home Depot, included tryouts in Washington, D.C., Los Angeles and Chicago, with four winners from each city moving on to the exciting four-day "Final Event" in Los Angeles. The ultimate champion will be crowned on Sunday, April 12, live (EST) on "República Deportiva" (Sports Republic), the popular Univision weekly Spanish-language sports show that will chronicle the tryouts in a "reality show within a show" format.
The 12 finalists will unite this Wednesday, April 8, in Los Angeles for the start of the national final. The complete schedule for the "Final Event" will be released later this week.
ABOUT THE CHICAGO WINNERS:
Ricardo BuendÃa, 16, center back, Cicero, IL
Born in Mexico, Ricardo moved to the United States when he was 11. He was identified as one of the scouts' favorites to be called back for the local finals after the first hour of tryouts. Ricardo is a poised defender, and he stands out as a leader on the field.
Josue Chavez, 15, midfield, Elgin, IL
Josue was born in Florida, though his parents are from Mexico. Great with the ball at his feet, Josue, is the youngest of the four Chicago finalists and started to shine when it mattered most, in the final hours of his tryout.
Alberto Lopez, 17, midfield, Aurora, IL,
Alberto's performance on Sunday was cut short when he left the field with a tight hamstring. However, his play was so impressive that the scouts had already made up their mind and booked his trip to LA.
Steve Palma,16, forward, Grand Junction, CO.
Paul Cadwell, the head of the Fire's youth development, noticed Steve right away because of his tireless runs off the ball, intuitive movement, and direct style of attack.
ABOUT THE OTHER FINALISTS:
(FROM D.C. UNITED-HOSTED TRYOUTS)
Cesar Bazan, 23, forward, Derwood, MD
Originally from Peru, forward Cesar Bazan from Derwood, MD, impressed scouts with his confidence and technical skills. Scout Raul Diaz Arce compared his style to French legend Zinedine Zidane.
Max Ferdinand, 22, Forward, Reading, PA
Haitian Max Ferdinand is a flashy forward from Reading, PA. Once a participant in Chicago Fire's pre-season camp, his sensational goal in the second day of the tryouts helped solidify his place as a finalist
Manfredis Hernandez, 19, Defender, Mount Rainier, MD,
Defender Manfredis Hernandez, of Mount Rainier, MD, is part of the D.C. area's large Salvadoran community. He showed not only skill, but heart and determination to impress the scouts.
Oussana Maukran, 26, Goalkeeper, Alexandria, VA
At a height of 6 foot-5 inches, Moroccan-born goalkeeper Oussana Maukran from Alexandria, VA, definitely stood out from the crowd. But it was his skill and on-field leadership that impressed Maessner and his staff. He remained in top form throughout the weekend, earning a unanimous selection from the scouts.
(FROM LA GALAXY-HOSTED TRYOUTS)
Mikon Orellana, 15, attacking midfielder, Provo, Utah
Mikon "Mikey" Orellana drove ten hours from Utah to Los Angeles with his family in order to tryout at Sueño MLS. His family was contemplating driving back to Utah after his Saturday tryout before a phone call to come back and participate in an interview with Univision changed their mind.
Héctor Ramos, 18, left back, Mexicali, Baja California, México
A native of Mexican-border town Mexicali, Hector Ramos stayed with his uncle in Indio, Calif., while trying out. It was his uncle who encouraged the youngster to register for Sueño.
Javier Rodriguez, 16, center back, North Las Vegas, NV
Javier Rodriguez did not stay near or around Los Angeles during the two-day tryouts. He and his family drove from Las Vegas to San Bernardino and back on both Saturday and Sunday. Rodriguez was obviously unaffected by the road trips as he was one of the four local winners selected by the scouts.
Cesar Silva, 18, forward, Anaheim, Calif.
Cesar Silva is a product of the same youth soccer program (Pumas DSP) that produced the first Sueño MLS winner, Jorge Flores. Having been a part of Atlas Guadalajara's youth system for eight months last year, the Guadalajara native was one of the more experienced players at the tryouts.
NOTE TO MEDIA: Photos and video of the 12 local winners are available. Please contact jesse.perl@mlsnet.com. More information is also available at www.suenoMLS.com.
2009 SUEÃO MLS TIMELINE
March 21 - 22 D.C. United tryout - Maryland Soccerplex
March 28- 29 LA Galaxy tryout - San Bernardino Soccer Complex
April 4 - 5 Chicago Fire tryout - Schaumburg Olympic Park
April 8 - 12 "Final Event" in Los Angeles - Home Depot Center
April 12 Announcement of winner on live "República Deportiva"
Major League Soccer Stories from April 6, 2009
- Seattle Sounders FC News & Notes - Seattle Sounders FC
- Earthquakes Weekly Update - San Jose Earthquakes
- Rapids Conor Casey Wins MLS Player of the Week Award - Colorado Rapids
- The Pitch: MLS Weekly - MLS
- Chicago Fire Weekly Notes - Chicago Fire FC
- Seattle Sounders FC Announce Saturday's Match Sold Out - Seattle Sounders FC
- Fire Sign Goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra - Chicago Fire FC
- Wizards Weekly Update - Sporting Kansas City
- Finalists to Convene In Los Angeles This Week for the National Finals of SUEÃO MLS 2009 - MLS
- New York Red Bulls Weekly Update - New York Red Bulls
- Undefeated Revs off this weekend - New England Revolution
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