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Fort Lauderdale CF Names Jason Kreis as Head Coach; Announces Full Technical Staff and Roster

February 15, 2020 - United Soccer League Championship (USL) News Release


Fort Lauderdale CF announced today its full coaching staff and roster ahead of its inaugural season in USL League One.

Fort Lauderdale CF's full coaching staff:

Jason Kreis - Head Coach

Martin Paterson - Assistant Coach

Chris Barocas - Goalkeeper Coach

Mateus Manoel - Developmental Performance Manager

Jason Kreis, the current U.S. Men's National U-23 Team Head Coach and Inter Miami CF Senior Academy Director, was named Head Coach of Fort Lauderdale CF.

Kreis brings experience in many different roles at all levels of the North American soccer landscape. He began his professional career in the sport as a player, making over 300 appearances over 12 years in the MLS. After his playing career he transitioned into coaching, taking charge of Real Salt Lake, New York City FC and Orlando City SC between 2007 and 2018. In January 2019 he took the position of Senior Academy Director of Inter Miami and in March 2019 he was named U.S. Men's National U-23 Head Coach.

In 1999 as a player for the Dallas Burn, Kreis earned Major League Soccer MVP honors. He currently sits seventh among all-time Major League Soccer regular season goals scored with 108 goals.

Kreis also spent over two seasons as a player for Real Salt Lake from 2005 to 2007; he was the first official player in the club's history and scored the first goal in club history. He also held the position of Head Coach of Real Salt Lake for over five years. He was hired to the position after retiring as a player from the club in May 2007 and guided the team to the MLS Cup title in 2009, making him the youngest coach in MLS history to win the title.

Martin Paterson, a former player and recent member of the Tampa Bay Rowdies coaching staff, will serve as Fort Lauderdale CF's Assistant Coach. Paterson spent the majority of his playing career as a forward for Burnley Football Club in England and the Northern Ireland senior national team.

Chris Barocas will serve as Goalkeeper Coach for the team. The veteran brings years of coaching experience including recent stops as the head of goalkeeping at both the New York Red Bulls Academy and Orlando City SC. He also served as the Orlando City B Assistant Coach in his time in Orlando.

Mateus Manoel, formerly the Director of Sports Performance and Science for Sporting Kansas City, was named Developmental Performance Manager. He has previously served as the Head Fitness Coach for the Mexican Football federation and Strength and Conditioning Coach for the U.S. Soccer Federation.

Darren Powell, Inter Miami's Director of Player Development and former Head Coach of San Antonio FC, will serve as the team's Head Coach when Kreis is on duty with the U-23 national team at the 2020 Summer Olympics.

Fort Lauderdale CF's current roster:

Dylan Castanheira - Goalkeeper (24)

Daniel Gagliardi - Goalkeeper (23)

Ian Fray - Defender (19)

Modesto Mendez - Defender (22)

Frank Nodarse - Defender (19)

Brian Rosales - Defender (24)

Blaine Ferri - Midfielder (19)

Rivaldo Ibarra - Midfielder (20)

Eduardo Sosa - Midfielder (23)

Ricky Lopez-Espin - Forward (24)

The current roster consists of 10 young, talented players and assembles four players of Cuban heritage, one player signed from the Inter Miami CF Academy and five players acquired by the Club with various U.S. collegiate and professional backgrounds.

Modesto Mendez, Frank Nodarse, Brian Rosales and Rivaldo Ibarra make up the Cuban contingent of the squad. Mendez, a 22-year-old defender, previously played for Pinar del Río in his home country. Nodarse, a 19-year-old defender, represented the Cuban U-20 national team at the Concacaf U-20 Championship in 2018. Rosales, a 24-year-old defender, recently played for FC Tulsa in the USL Championship. Ibarra, a 20-year-old midfielder, previously played for Ciudad de La Habana and represented the Cuban U-20 team at the Concacaf U-20 Championship where he scored two goals in three matches.

Ian Fray, a 19-year-old defender, was signed from the Inter Miami CF Academy. He played for the U-19 Academy team where he appeared in nine U.S. Soccer Development Academy league games, starting in eight of those.

Dylan Castanheira, Eduardo Sosa, Ricky Lopez-Espin, Blaine Ferri, and Daniel Gagliardi add diverse experiences at different levels of the U.S. Soccer pyramid.

Castanheira is a 24-year old goalkeeper whose College Protected List Rights were acquired by Inter Miami in a trade with FC Dallas. Sosa, a 23-year-old midfielder, made 18 appearances for Columbus Crew SC across the past two seasons. Lopez-Espin, a 24-year-old forward, is a Miami native who made an MLS appearance for Real Salt Lake in 2018. Ferri, a 19-year-old midfielder, has represented U.S. youth national teams across different levels, including the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup. Gagliardi, a 23-year-old goalkeeper, who was named to All-Conference USA Third Team in his senior season at Florida International University.

All player transactions are pending league and federation approval.

The remaining players that will comprise the squad, including First Team loaned players, Inter Miami CF Academy players and additional signings, will be announced in the near future.

Fort Lauderdale CF's first game is set for March 27 against Union Omaha at the Inter Miami CF Stadium.

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