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Force Acquires Two Players In Deal

June 10, 2004 - Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
Cleveland Force News Release


CLEVELAND, OHIO- Cleveland Force President and General Manager Paul Garofolo today announced that the Force has traded the rights to forward Lee Edgerton to the Milwaukee Wave for forward Sipho Sibiya, the playing rights to midfielder Gary DePalma and a future consideration. In the first half of the trade, Milwaukee traded the rights to forward Joe Reiniger to the St. Louis Steamers for Sibiya.

“This trade allowed us to accomplish two things. First in Sipho we acquired a pure target player and secondly in DePalma we acquired a high energy midfielder/forward that is familiar with Omid Namazi’s style of play having played with him in Philadelphia during their championship year,” stated Garofolo.

Sibiya, a 32-year old native of Pretoria, South Africa, was acquired last summer by Cleveland in a trade but was sent in the same trade to St. Louis for the playing rights to Ato Leone. Sipho appeared in 25 games last season for the Steamers and he notched 16 goals and added 15 assists for a total of 31 points. Sibiya has also played for the Milwaukee Wave and the Edmonton Drillers.

“As a team, we needed to find a target player that can play with his back to goal and we have been lacking that the last couple seasons. We feel that with the acquisition of Sipho we have found the player to fill that void. He has played in this league for a few years and has the experience to handle the target responsibilities,” stated Omid Namazi.

DePalma, a 28-year old native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a long-time friend of Force midfielder Justin Evans, who was the best man in his wedding. Gary last played in the MISL in the 2002-03 season with the Philadelphia KiXX and current Cleveland Head Coach Omid Namazi. In his last season with the KiXX, DePalma appeared in 36 games and recorded 15 goals and added nine assists for a total of 43 points. The Wave acquired Gary last summer in a trade with the Monterrey Fury, who had selected DePalma in the MISL Expansion Draft. In addition to playing for Philadelphia, Gary has played for the Detroit Rockers. DePalma is currently playing for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds.

“Gary provides us with a tremendous amount of speed to our midfield. I am very familiar with his game after playing with him in Philadelphia. He is a very good two way player and has been an All-Star in the past,” said Namazi.

Edgerton completed his fifth season with the Cleveland franchise and was selected Force Offensive Player of the Year. Edgerton appeared in all 36 games and recorded 23 goals and added 15 assists.

“We wish Lee and his family much success as he continues his career in Milwaukee. He was a consummate professional on and off the field,” commented Garofolo.

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