Steamers acquire M\'Bemba in trade with Kansas City
February 3, 2004 - Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
St. Louis Steamers News Release
(St. Louis, Feb. 3, 2004) -- The St. Louis Steamers today announced a trade with the Kansas City Comets. The Steamers acquire talented two-way midfielder Franck M'Bemba for forward Jason Cole and midfielder Craig Scheer. As part of the deal, the Steamers also acquire the rights to goalkeeper Chris Smith and future considerations.
M'Bemba, 25, is a native of the Republic of the Congo. A 5-foot-6, 152-pounder, M'Bemba signed with the Comets late in the 2002-03 season and contributed two goals and one assist in four games. This season, he has eight goals, three assists, and 50 shots in 21 games. M'Bemba also has international experience in the outdoor game. He was a member of the Under-18 Congo National Team, and played for Vasas SC in the Hungarian First Division before coming to the United States to play for the Comets. This past summer, M'Bemba played for the Atlanta Silverbacks of the USL (United Soccer Leagues) A-League.
Chris Smith, a 6-0, 180-pound goalkeeper, played two seasons with the Steamers of the World Indoor Soccer League (WISL). Smith, 30, played three games in the 2000 season and four games in 2001 in a backup capacity. Prior to turning professional, he played at the University of Jacksonville.
In the trade, the Steamers gave up two Missouri natives: Cole, 23, grew up in Kansas City and starred at Rockhurst High School before starting all four seasons at Saint Louis University. Following his standout career at SLU, Cole was the Colorado Rapids' third-round pick, and the 27th overall selection in the 2003 Major League Soccer (MLS) draft. This season, he contributed five goals and two assists in 19 games for the Steamers. Cole has another tryout scheduled with the MLS Colorado Rapids later this month during the MISL All-Star break.
Scheer, 27, is a native of Cape Girardeau, Mo., and a former standout at Cape Girardeau Central High School. Before joining the Steamers, Scheer played parts of two seasons with the Baltimore Blast and was a member of the 2002-03 Baltimore MISL championship squad. This season, Scheer had eight goals, no assists, and 13 blocks in 17 games.
The Steamers next home game is Feb. 7 at 1:05 p.m. at The Family Arena as the MISL Western Division San Diego Sockers make their first visit of the season. Single-game tickets ranging from $7 to $15 are available for all Steamers home games by calling MetroTix at 314-534-1111, or by visiting metrotix.com. Single-game tickets also are available at The Family Arena box office.
Major Indoor Soccer League 2 Stories from February 3, 2004
- Wave stays on top of MISL with two more wins - Milwaukee Wave
- Comets acquire Scheer, Cole from St. Louis - Kansas City Comets
- Steamers acquire M'Bemba in trade with Kansas City - St. Louis Steamers
- Comets Weekly - Kansas City Comets
- Farias Named Offensive Player of the Month - Baltimore Blast
- MISL Names January 2004 Players of the Month - MISL 2
- KiXX Earn Two of Three MISL Monthly Accolades - Philadelphia KiXX
- KiXX Sign Midfielder David DiPlacido - Philadelphia KiXX
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