Four D.C.-area winners headed to Los Angeles for "Final Event" of SUEÃO MLS 2009
Published on March 23, 2009 under Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release
NEW YORK (Monday, March 23, 2009) - Four Washington, D.C.-area standouts - forwards Cesar Bazan and Max Ferdinand, defender Manfredis Hernandez and goalkeeper Oussana Maukran - have been selected by D.C. United scouts as the local winners of Sueño MLS 2009 - built by The Home Depot, the nationally-televised player search.
The four stood out from the 600 participants who braved the cold temperatures last weekend at Maryland Soccerplex in Germantown, MD for a chance to move on to the "Final Event" in Los Angeles April 9-12. Among the scouts evaluating talent were former D.C. United star Raúl DÃaz Arce and D.C. United Director of Youth Development John Maessner.
Entering its third year, Sueño MLS 2009 - built by The Home Depot, includes three local tryouts (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.
ABOUT THE WINNERS
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.
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
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.
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.
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 9 - 12 "Final Event" in Los Angeles - Home Depot Center
April 12 Announcement of winner on live "República Deportiva"
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