NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



Heat Roster Begins to Take Shape

September 9, 2002 - Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
Harrisburg Heat News Release


Harrisburg, PA - The Harrisburg Heat's 2002-03 roster further took shape today as the club announced a handful of transactions, including one major trade: Harrisburg has sent midfielder Daniel Barber, the rights to forward Justin Labrum, and financial considerations to the Dallas Sidekicks in exchange for the rights to midfielder Marco Coria (CORE-ee-ah), defender Genoni Martinez (juh-NO-nee), and goalkeeper Raul Salas, all of whom played for new Heat head coach Erich Geyer on a Monterrey La Raza team that won three World Indoor Soccer League championships.

The Heat has signed Salas, who practiced with the team as training camp opened Monday, to an offer sheet. Harrisburg has also announced the signings of midfielder Jake Atkin, forward David Barbosa, defender Martin Hernandez, and defender Francisco Rodriguez.

Martinez, 27, was considered possibly the most lethal attacking defender in the MISL from 1996-2000, when he scored 138 goals and 382 points in 137 games for the Wichita Wings, Philadelphia KiXX, and Detroit Rockers. Martinez posted two 100-point seasons during that span (106 points in '98-99, 112 in '96-97) and was named to all-league teams in 1996-97 and 1998-99. The native of Mexico City played for Monterrey from 1994-97 and in 2000.

Coria, 32, spent the 2001 WISL season with the Sidekicks, scoring 13 goals and 25 points in 23 games. The midfielder was a keystone of Geyer's Monterrey teams from 1995-2000, scoring 117 goals and 203 points in 126 games and winning three championships. From '95-97, Coria missed only one regular season game. The Mexico City native played two seasons in the NPSL/MISL with the Wichita Wings ('96-97 and '97-98), scoring 13 goals and 37 points in 32 games.

Salas, 31, served as Geyer's starting goalkeeper in Monterrey and was considered one of the WISL's most dependable backstops. The native of Monterrey played the 1998-99 NPSL season with the Montreal Impact, going 5-6 with a 13.54 points against average in 16 games.

The Heat acquired Barber from the Baltimore Blast in exchange for Lester Felician last February 18, and scored 21 points in 17 games for Harrisburg. Labrum was selected by the Heat in an August 16 draft to disperse players from the St. Louis Steamers, who will be inactive for the 2002-03 season.

The Heat has also dealt goalkeeper Paolo Ceccarelli to the Kansas City Comets in exchange for future considerations. The 32-year old went 1-12 with a 15.79 PAA for the Heat last season, and has gone 67-70 with a 12.09 PAA in 142 career games with the Heat, Montreal Impact, and Toronto ThunderHawks.

Atkin, 24, enjoyed a solid season with the WISL's Utah Freezz in 2001. The 5-6, 135-pound native of Salt Lake City scored 6 goals and 10 points in 23 games for the Freezz last season, and was acquired by the Heat in the August 16 dispersal draft.

Hernandez, 31, was one of the key cogs in Geyer's defense in Monterrey in '94, '97, and 2000. The native of Mexico City has played in the Mexican First Division with Monterrey and Veracruz.

Barbosa, 26, won the 2000 WISL title as a rookie with Geyer's La Raza. The Monterrey native began his career with Tigrillos of the Mexican Second Division.

Rodriguez, a 25-year old native of Monterrey, will play his first indoor season with the Heat in 2002-03.

Harrisburg, which opened training camp today, will practice Tuesday morning from 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and from 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. at Sports City on Linglestown Road. The club will practice 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Wednesday morning before taking the afternoon off, and will have both morning and afternoon sessions Thursday and Friday. The Heat will run on the track at Milton Hershey School Friday morning before the afternoon session at Sports City.

It is suggested that media arrive at least a half hour ahead of the scheduled practice end time, or call Heat Director of Public and Media Relations Phil Yerger at the office (717-233-8172) or on his cell phone (717-497-5315) to make arrangements.

• Discuss this story on the Major Indoor Soccer League 2 message board...

Major Indoor Soccer League 2 Stories from September 9, 2002


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Harrisburg Heat Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central