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Storm Sign Six

October 8, 2008 - Xtreme Soccer League (XSL)
Chicago Storm News Release


HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. - The Chicago Storm professional indoor soccer team announces the signing of six players, including a strong defensive core, for the 2008-2009 Xtreme Soccer League season. The Storm inked defenders Fabinho, Chris Brisson, Will Kletzien, Branko Savic and Vladimir Knezevic, and forward Awadalla Morad.

Fabinho, Brisson, Kletzien, Morad and Savic each were part of the Storm's 2007-2008 roster as Chicago advanced to its third straight postseason. Morad is an original member of the 2004-2005 Storm. Per team policy, terms of the players' agreements are not disclosed.

"We're very pleased with our first group of signings," Storm head coach Steve Morris said. "As with any sport, you have to focus on the defensive side first. This core group fully understands how to be competitive, and we feel we're strong in that regard with the signings of Fabinho, Chris Brisson, Branko Savic, Will Kletzien and Vladimir Knezevic."

Fabinho is a native of Sao Paulo, Brazil, and he enters his third season with the Storm. Fabinho's 2007-2008 campaign was his finest with Chicago. He led the Storm with a career-best 45 blocks, which ranks second all-time in Storm history for a single-season performance. He topped all Storm defenders with a career-high 36 points. Fabinho also set career marks in goals (11) and assists (9), and ranks second on the Storm in career blocks with 80. Throughout his career, Fabinho has played for the Brazilian Futsal National Team, won a championship with Monterrey La Raza of the World Indoor Soccer League in 1999-2000, and spent one season with both the Dallas Sidekicks and Kansas City Comets of the former Major Indoor Soccer League.

"Fabinho brings a lot of qualities to the indoor game," Morris said. "He is skillful on the ball while under pressure, and he's got a tenacity about him that helps him on the defensive side. He's also got that Brazilian magic where he can score a big goal for us. His experience and character are two things that definitely will help us in our pursuit."

Chris Brisson, a Hugo, Minn., native, enters his third season with the Storm. In 2007-2008, Brisson set career highs in blocks (21), assists (8) and games played (29). He also scored four goals and tallied 16 points. His points total ranked third among Storm defenders, and he ranked third on the team in blocks. Brisson formerly played for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee from 2001 to 2004, advancing to the NCAA Tournament in every season.

"Chris is a steady contributor for us, and I think he'll only continue to grow," Morris said. "He has speed and tenacity, and he reads the game well."

Will Kletzien, a native of Kent, Ohio, enters his third season with the Storm. Kletzien was limited to 15 games in 2007-2008 because of a torn ACL. Despite the long-term absence, Kletzien established personal bests in every category, including blocks (16), assists (3) and points (3). He ranked fifth on the team in blocks. Before the Storm, Kletzien played for the University of Akron, which advanced to the NCAA Tournament during Kletzien's sophomore through senior seasons (2001 to 2003).

"Unfortunately we lost Will to a season-ending injury, but he has worked hard this off-season to regain his fitness by the time our season starts in December," Morris said. "Will and Chris are two young players who gained experience last season and are even further along in their developmental process."

Awadalla Morad, a West Bank, Palestine, native, is an original member of the 2004-2005 Storm. Morad signed a five-game contract with the Storm in 2007-2008, scoring a two-point goal and assisting two other goals. Morad ranks fourth all-time on the Storm with 49 goals and ranks third all-time with 56 consecutive games played from 2005 to 2007. Morad once scored four goals against Kansas City on Dec. 18, 2004, and had a hat trick against California on Jan. 24, 2007.

"We knew that Awad had a difficult year last year dealing with his business, the birth of a daughter and a new home, and soccer was not a priority. But we stayed in constant communication," Morris said. "We had him briefly for five games during an injury stretch, and we knew of the likelihood of him returning. We're happy to have him back. He has speed, energy and a knack for scoring."

Branko Savic, a Belgrade, Serbia, native, enters his third season with the Storm. In 29 games in 2007-2008, Savic set career highs in goals (7), points (17) and blocks (42), ranking second on the team in blocks. Savic tallied his first game-winning goal Dec. 14, 2007, in an 8-6 victory against Milwaukee. Savic played for Lindenwood University (St. Charles, Mo.) and joined as an assistant coach in 2004, helping lead the men's soccer team to an NAIA championship.

"Branko is the heart and soul of this defense," Morris said. "He's fiery, a competitor, gutsy and courageous. He's an important leader, and he's among the elite defenders in this league."

Vladimir Knezevic, a native of Serbia, formerly played as a defenseman for the American Indoor Soccer League's Rockford Rampage (now a member of the National Indoor Soccer League) in 2007-2008.

"Vladimir was a former teammate of Branko's at Lindenwood University, and he also has experience playing in Serbia," Morris said. "Vladimir will be new to the indoor game, but by no means are we getting a rookie. He is a very accomplished player."

The Storm are coming off a 15-15 regular season and a third straight playoff-bound campaign during their 2007-2008 run in the former MISL. The Storm organization is a member of the newly created Xtreme Soccer League for 2008-2009. The league features Chicago, the Detroit Ignition, Milwaukee Wave and New Jersey Ironmen, all formerly of the MISL. Storm offices are located at 5333 Prairie Stone Pkwy., in Hoffman Estates. For more information on all aspects of Storm soccer, including season tickets, group outings, birthday parties and more, call 1-866-STORM-81 (1-866-786-7681), or visit www.ChicagoStorm.net.



Xtreme Soccer League Stories from October 8, 2008


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