Haiti Calls Ceus up for October Friendlies

October 8, 2015 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Atlanta Silverbacks News Release


ATLANTA - Fresh off back-to-back matches against the New York Cosmos where he saved nine shots in a draw and a loss, Atlanta Silverbacks goalkeeper Steward Ceus has been called up to the Haitian National Team for a pair of pre-World Cup qualifier friendlies against El Salvador and Guatemala. The 6-foot-6 shotstopper is one of just two goalkeepers called upon for head coach Marc Collat's Grenadiers.

"After two very tough matches against one of the top teams in the NASL, it is exciting to now join Haiti for a pair of important matches against CONCACAF competition," Ceus said. "Both El Salvador and Guatemala offer strong challenges that will help prepare us for the next round of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup. It's always an honor and a blessing to be included in your national team's roster; I can't wait to join everyone in Houston."

Ceus joins Haiti in Houston, Texas, just a day before taking on El Salvador at BBVA Compass Stadium - home of Major League Soccer's Houston Dynamo - with a 9 p.m. kickoff. Haiti allowed Ceus to join the national team after Wednesday's home match against the Cosmos. Ceus will remain with Haiti as it travels to Guatemala for an Oct. 13 fixture in Guatemala City.

Haiti will begin its next phase of qualification for the 2018 World Cup with fixtures against Costa Rica, Jamaica and Panama between Nov. 13, 2015 and Sept. 6, 2016.

Ceus ranks sixth among NASL goalkeepers (min. 10 starts) in goals-allowed average with a slender 1.42. In 19 appearances and 1,710 minutes, he's allowed just 27 goals while completing 62 saves.

The 28-year-old New York native signed with Atlanta on Jan. 14, reuniting with head coach Gary Smith, who drafted him as the 37th overall selection in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft. Smith and Ceus were together with the Colorado Rapids from 2009-11, winning the 2010 MLS Cup. Ceus made four league appearances with the Rapids, making his first-team debut in a U.S. Open Cup match at Kansas City in 2010. He then started five of the club's six 2011 CONCACAF Champions League games. Ceus' MLS debut came late in 2012 when he started the final three matches of the season. He made one regular season appearance for the Rapids in 2013 before moving to Finland to play with Närpes Kraft Fotbollsförening in 2014.

While Ceus is with Haiti, the Silverbacks face a 10-day break in NASL action, next hosting the Tampa Bay Rowdies at Atlanta Silverbacks Park on Oct. 17 (7:30 p.m.).

ROSTER (Club Affiliation)

Goalkeepers:

1 - Johny Placide (Stade De Reims)

2 - Steward Ceus (Atlanta Silverbacks)

Defenders:

3 - Andrew Jean Baptiste (Club Deportivo Alcala)

4 - Reginal Goreux (FC Rostov)

5 - Jerome Meshack (Charlotte Independence)

6 - Judelin Aveska (Mohun Bagan A.C.)

7 - Kim Jaggy (FC AARAU)

Midfielders:

8 - Constant Jr Monuma (Don Bosco)

9 - James Marcelin (Fort Lauderdale Strikers)

10 - Jean Sony Alcenat (Steaua Bucharest)

11 - Listner Pierre Louis (Le Puy Footballer 43)

12 - Marvin Esor (U.S. Créteil Lusitanos Football)

13 - Pascal Millien (Armada FC)

14 - Sebastien Thuriere (Charleston Battery)

15 - Jean Mark Alexandre (Negeri Sembilan FA)

Forwards :

16 - Jean Eudes Maurice (Ermis Aradippou FC)

17 - Wilde Donald Guerrier (Wisla Krakow)

18 - Belfort Kervens Fils (Trabzon 1461)



North American Soccer League Stories from October 8, 2015


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