Shaun David Returns To Ironmen
February 18, 2009 - Xtreme Soccer League (XSL)
New Jersey Ironmen News Release
Newark, N.J. - (Wednesday, February 18, 2009) - The New Jersey Ironmen proudly announce today the return of the first player ever signed in team history, forward Shaun David. The former All-Rookie Team and All-League Team player will reunite with the Ironmen today when New Jersey hosts the Detroit Ignition for an 11:00 a.m. meeting at Prudential Center.
"I'm excited about playing here again," David exclaimed after wrapping up a training session with the Ironmen on Tuesday evening. "I still had the itch to play, and after talking to Omid recently, I felt like it was time to give it a go again."
David and the aforementioned Ironmen Head Coach Omid Namazi are definitely not strangers to one another. Not only did Namazi select David as the first player in franchise history prior to the inaugural 2007-08 New Jersey season, but the duo also went to the MISL Championship Series together with the St. Louis Steamers in 2005-06.
"When you have the ability to run up and down the field with the speed that Shaun has, you create problems for the defense," Namazi commented. "His type of speed keeps a team on their heels, and that gives us more freedom and room to play as a team."
Some other familiar faces on that 23-7 Steamers side in 2005-06 were current Ironmen players Chile Farias, Rey Martinez, Sunny Naumoski and the league Goalkeeper of the Year that season, Brett Phillips.
"I can't think of a goalkeeper that I think of more highly than Brett Phillips," David stated. "In the past, I have just always felt like Brett and I are on the same page, and I am excited to be playing with him again."
On the winning side of that MISL Championship Series was league MVP and current New Jersey forward Adauto Neto.
"I'm just so excited to be part of a team with such a great number of talented players," David continued. "All of the elements are here to go on a second half run. We just have to be a team full of heart that is dedicated to teamwork."
David began his professional indoor career with the Dallas Sidekicks in 2003-04. After netting a franchise rookie record of 15 goals, he was named to the MISL All-Rookie Team. After a 20 goal and 10 assist season with the Steamers in 2005-06, the native Texan became just the 22nd player in league history to be named to both the All-Rookie and All-League Teams. After Namazi made him the first player in Ironmen history, he went on to tally 26 points on nine goals and six assists last year.
David and his New Jersey side will host the Detroit Ignition today at 11:00 a.m. in a special business outing game before hosting the Chicago Storm in a Thursday night showdown tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. Joining the Ironmen as honorary captain on Thursday will be former IBF Junior Welterweight Champion Paulie "The Magic Man" Malignaggi.
Should the Ironmen win both matches this week at home, not only would they would even their record to 6-6, but the battle for the league crown would become extremely heated. Heading into the slate of XSL matches this weekend, two wins would mean New Jersey would trail the Ignition by a single game and the Wave by 1.5 games. Both Milwaukee and Detroit play the Storm this weekend.
Xtreme Soccer League Stories from February 18, 2009
- Storm at New Jersey preview - Chicago Storm
- XSL weekly update - XSL
- Ironmen Drop 21-13 Decision To Ignition - New Jersey Ironmen
- Ignition Stomp Ironmen, 21-13, In Newark - Detroit Ignition
- Shaun David Returns To Ironmen - New Jersey Ironmen
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