Three KiXX Members Selected by Detroit Ignition in 2006 MISL Expansion Draft
Published on June 20, 2006 under Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
Philadelphia KiXX News Release
Philadelphia, PA, June 20, 2006 - The Philadelphia KiXX announced today that forward Don D'Ambra and midfielders Ze Roberto and Ryan Mack have been selected by the Detroit Ignition in the 2006 Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) Expansion Draft. The draft was held via teleconference on Wednesday, June 20 at 2:00 pm ET.
On June 6, the Ignition received Designation Lists from each of the active MISL teams. A maximum of nine (9) players were designated as "protected" for that team's roster (maximum of one (1) goalkeeper) for the 2006-07 MISL season. The players not designated as protected ("unprotected") were eligible for selection by the Ignition. Once a player was selected from an existing team, the team was allowed to return one (1) unprotected player to its protected Designation List.
"Obviously, as a player/coach Don is crucial to the success of our franchise. It was a positioning move, we took a gamble and he was selected," stated Vice President Internal Operations David Deal. "While it is unfortunate, we are confident that he will be back in a KiXX uniform to start the 2006-07 season."
D'Ambra (10th overall selection), a Philadelphia native, is one of only two players (Peter Pappas) to have competed with the KiXX since the club's inception in 1996 and has served as player/coach for each of the past four seasons. The 34-year-old forward has registered nearly 900 points in his 12-year professional indoor career and eclipsed the 100-point plateau on three occasions. The Northeast Catholic product was named to the All-Rookie Team in 1994-95, the All-MISL Second Team in 2003-04, the All-MISL First Team 2004-05 and to the League's All-Star squad for both the 2002-03 and the 2003-04 campaigns.
Roberto was selected directly behind D'Ambra with the Ignition's 11th overall pick. The Belem, Brazil native began his professional indoor career with the Harrisburg Heat in 2000. He joined Philadelphia prior to the 2003-04 campaign in a trade with the St. Louis Steamers, who acquired the 27-year-old in the 2003 MISL Dispersal Draft. Roberto recorded 41 points in 56 contests over two seasons with the KiXX.
Detroit concluded their selections of the KiXX roster with Mack (12th overall). The KiXX acquired the rights to the midfielder in the 2005 MISL Dispersal Draft, but were unable to sign him for the 2005-06 season. Mack, who is currently competing with the Virginia Beach Mariners of the outdoor A-League, appeared in 10 games and notched seven points for the San Diego Sockers during the 2004-05 campaign.
The Ignition, led by former KiXX Executive Vice President/General Manager Greg Bibb and Head Coach Mark Pulisic, selected goalkeeper Sanaldo from the Baltimore Blast with the first overall selection. For a complete breakdown of the 2006 MISL Expansion Draft, visit the League's official internet property, www.MISL.net.
The Philadelphia KiXX are a member of the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL), a single-entity organization that features a coast-to-coast presence across the United States. The club completed their 10th season of play in 2005-06 at the Wachovia Spectrum located in Philadelphia, PA. The team also operates the Philadelphia KiXX Summer Kamp program, which is offered to boys and girls, ages four to 18, from mid-June through August throughout the Tri-State area.
Major Indoor Soccer League 2 Stories from June 20, 2006
- Detroit Ignition Select 16 Players in MISL Detroit Expansion Draft - MISL 2
- Ignition roster takes shape during MISL expansion draft - Detroit Ignition
- Three members of Wave selected in 2006 expansion draft - Milwaukee Wave
- Three KiXX Members Selected by Detroit Ignition in 2006 MISL Expansion Draft - Philadelphia KiXX
- Blast loses three players in expansion draft - Baltimore Blast
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