Head Coach Phil Salvagio Announces Final U.S. National Team Roster for World Cup
March 18, 2015 - Major Arena Soccer League (MASL)
Kansas City Comets News Release
SAN DIEGO, Ca. (March 18, 2015) - The U.S. National Arena Soccer Team announced its 15-man roster for the upcoming WMF World Cup, taking place March 21-29 across the United States featuring four Missouri Comets players.
Led by Major Arena Soccer League MVP candidates Leo Gibson and Kraig Chiles, the USNAST roster features fifteen players representing seven teams from across the Major Arena Soccer League. The squad includes thirteen field players and two goalkeepers per WMF World Cup rules.
"Selection was a difficult process, and there were many, many deserving players for this team," said USA head coach Phil Salvagio, "With MASL playoffs still going and many travel considerations, we believe we have put together a side that can bring home the first Arena Soccer World Cup to the United States."
In goal for Team USA are two talented keepers, Danny Waltman of the Missouri Comets and Joey Kapinos of the Rochester Lancers. Waltman, helping backstop the Comets to a perfect 20-0 regular season, finished the year 17-0 with a 4.83 goals against average (GAA) and 236 saves, fourth-most in the MASL. Kapinos finished top-10 in the MASL with a .727 save percentage, finishing 6-5 with a 5.68 GAA in goal for the Rochester Lancers.
Team USA's defensive corps are led by Missouri's Brian Harris and Baltimore's Pat Healey, two candidates for MASL Defender of the Year. San Diego's Evan McNeley and Las Vegas Legends veteran Enrique Tovar will join them in the defensive backfield.
Manning the midfield for Team USA will be the Missouri Comets' John Sosa, Chiky Luna and Jeff Hughes from the San Diego Sockers, Matt Clare of the Wichita B-52s and Legends power play specialist Felipe Gonzalez.
At forward, the MASL single-season record holder for points and assists in a season, Leo Gibson of the Comets, will be joined by the league's single-season goals leader, Kraig Chiles of the Sockers. Baltimore's Tony Donatelli and St. Louis attacker Gordy Gurson round out a talented group of targets.
The US National Arena Soccer Team opens their WMF World Cup Group A play on Monday when they take on Kazakhstan at the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario. Group play continues Tuesday against El Salvador, and Wednesday in San Diego against the Czech Republic. Tickets to all WMF World Cup matches can be purchased here: http://pointstreaksites.com/view/wmfworldcup/tickets
2015 WMF World Cup - United States Roster:
GOALKEEPERS: Danny Waltman (Missouri Comets) and Joey Karpinos (Rochester Lancers).
DEFENDERS: Enrique Tovar (Las Vegas Legends), Pat Healey (Baltimore Blast), Brian Harris (Missouri Comets), and Evan McNeley (San Diego Sockers).
MIDFIELDERS: Chiky Luna (San Diego Sockers), Felipe Gonzalez (Las Vegas Legends), John Sosa (Missouri Comets), Jeff Hughes (San Diego Sockers), and Matt Clare (Wichita B-52'S).
FORWARDS: Leo Gibson (Missouri Comets), Kraig Chiles (San Diego Sockers), Gordy Gurson (St. Louis Ambush), and Tony Donatelli (Baltimore Blast).
Major Arena Soccer League Stories from March 18, 2015
- Ten Sockers Selected for International Competition in March - San Diego Sockers
- Head Coach Phil Salvagio Announces Final U.S. National Team Roster for World Cup - Kansas City Comets
- U.S. National Arena Soccer Team Final Roster Announced - MASL
- U.S. National Arena Soccer Team Final Roster Announced - San Diego Sockers
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