Force Acquires Three Players in Trade

Published on September 27, 2002 under Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
Cleveland Force News Release


CLEVELAND, OHIO- The Cleveland Force, Harrisburg Heat and the Dallas Sidekicks were involved in a five-player trade as announced today by Force President and General Manager Paul Garofolo.

Cleveland sent the rights to midfielder Beau Brown to Harrisburg for the rights to midfielder Steve Klein, defender Eric Kvello and forward Bernie Lilavois. Harrisburg then sent the rights to Brown to Dallas for the rights to Marco Lopez. In acquiring Brown, Dallas then sent Cleveland their first round draft pick in this year's Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) College Draft.

"The draft pick was critical to this deal happening. We have determined that this year's draft has several players coming out that upon drafting and signing should enhance this team for several years to come," said Garofolo on the deal.

Klein, 27, a midfielder this past season for the Charleston Battery of the A-League along with Force midfielder Justin Evans, played two seasons in Harrisburg from 1999 until 2001. In his two seasons in Harrisburg, Klein recorded one three-point goal, 51 two-point goals and added 24 assists for a total of 129 points. He also recorded 59 blocks in his two seasons. Klein joined the Battery after three outstanding years with the Hershey Wildcats. He was a member of the Hershey team that lost in the 2001 A-League Championship match to the Rochester Raging Rhinos. In the three years he was with the Wildcats, Klein amassed 13 goals and 10 assists in 68 games played. Klein was a 4-year starter at Bowling Green State University, where he was voted first-team All-American in his senior year. He is also the all-time leading points scorer at BGSU. After college, Major League Soccer's New England Revolution drafted Klein for the 1997 season but saw limited time due to injury. In 1998, before joining the Wildcats, Klein played a season for the Nashville Metros.

"Steve is currently injured (broken clavicle) but hopefully he can join us after the first of the year. He is a strong midfield presence who can score while providing great two-way play for the team," stated Garofolo on the trade."

Kvello, 25, who spent the past two years with Harrisburg as a midfielder, will switch roles this season with Cleveland and jump to the defense. In his two seasons with the Heat, Kvello appeared in 75 games while posting 20 goals and adding 12 assists for a total of 55 points. He also recorded 17 blocks. He was a graduate of Georgetown University. While at Georgetown, Kvello was a third-team All-American and a Big East Offensive Player of the Year award selection. Eric finished his career at Georgetown as the second all-time leading scorer with 124 points. In addition to his indoor career, Kvello has spent time with the New York/New Jersey Metrostars of Major League Soccer (MLS.), Hershey Wildcats and Connecticut Wolves of the A-League.

"Eric is a steady player who will provide us with some scoring out of the back," stated Garofolo on Kvello.

Lilavois, 32, a six-year veteran of indoor soccer, did not play for Harrisburg in the 2001-02 season and will provide another scoring threat to the Force. In his six-year career, Lilavois has tallied 249 goals and 133 assists for a total of 603 points. He has also posted 113 blocks in his career. In his last season with the Heat, Bernie posted 39 two-point goals, five one-point goals and added 36 assists for a total of 119 points. During his first full season with Harrisburg, Lilavois tallied career-highs in goals with 71 and for points with 156.

"Should we be able to come to terms with Bernie, Force fans will witness a highly competitive player with a passion for scoring goals and winning games. Anytime you can improve your roster depth with a player like Lilavois you have to take the chance," stated Garofolo.

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