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USL announces Transfer Windows

January 27, 2004 - USL First Division (USL-1) News Release


United Soccer Leagues announced today that it will be subject to the international registration periods for transfers of in-contract players that apply across the soccer world, releasing the official transfer windows USL will utilize for professional players in the United States and Canada.

"We have been preparing for this instance for some time as transfer windows have been in place abroad for several years and are confident this will not adversely affect the operations of any of our clubs," said Tim Holt, Director of USL League Operations.

Due to the timing and placement of the USL regular-season and postseason calendar (April - September), the windows imposed upon USL by FIFA differ from those imposed upon other leagues internationally.

Due to varying schedule lengths, USL's American clubs and Major League Soccer will utilize different secondary transfer windows. USL clubs will follow the transfer window of their nation.

For the 2004 season and until further notice, FIFA will not register player transfers that take place outside of the following transfer windows:

United States - USL Transfer Windows

- January 1 until March 31 (the "primary window")

- July 5 until August 5 (the "secondary window")

Canada - USL Transfer Windows

- Feburary 1 until April 30 (the "primary window")

- June 1 until July 31 (the "secondary window")

United States - MLS Transfer Windows

- January 1 until March 31 (the "primary window")

- August 15 until September 15 (the "secondary window")

By a FIFA Circular to all national associations, FIFA has clarified that national associations may register certain players who are free of contract and seeking employment even if such registration falls outside of the transfer windows.

USL OFFSEASON UPDATE

Headlines

1... Carolina Challenge Cup unveiled (A-League, PSL, MLS)

2... Rhinos ink three players (A-League)

3... Lynx re-sign Mayard (A-League)

4... Impact sign Budalic (A-League)

1... Carolina Challenge Cup unveiled

DC, Columbus to join two USL champions in preseason tourney

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Charleston Battery News Release – www.charlestonbattery.com

CHARLESTON, SC -- The 2003 A-League champion Charleston Battery and 2003 PSL champion Wilmington Hammerheads will host Major League Soccer's DC United and Columbus Crew in the inaugural Carolina Challenge Cup. The Challenge Cup is a four-team round-robin tournament culminating in a double-header on Saturday March 27 at Blackbaud Stadium.

Charleston opens the tournament versus DC United on Saturday, March 20; kick off 7:30 PM. The Battery hosts the Columbus Crew on Wednesday, March 24; kick off 7:30 PM. The concluding double-header at Blackbaud Stadium will feature the Charleston Battery vs. Wilmington Hammerheads (6:00 PM) and Columbus Crew vs. DC United (8:15 PM).

Charleston Battery Head Coach, Chris Ramsey:

"This is a fantastic opportunity to bring quality teams to the Lowcountry on an annual basis. It gives our players a chance to receive some valuable match fitness, plus our fans will get to see some of the top players currently playing in the US."

Tournament Schedule

Saturday, March 20 DC United @ Charleston Battery Blackbaud Stadium (7:30 PM)

Saturday, March 20 Columbus Crew @ Wilmington Hammerheads Legion Stadium (7:30 PM)

Wednesday, March 24 Columbus Crew @ Charleston Battery Blackbaud Stadium (7:30 PM)

Wednesday, March 24 DC United @ Wilmington Hammerheads Legion Stadium (7:30 PM)

Saturday, March 27 Hammerheads @ Charleston Battery Blackbaud Stadium (6:00 PM)

Saturday, March 27 DC United @ Columbus Crew Blackbaud Stadium (8:15 PM)

Continued: http://www.uslsoccer.com/home/68003.html

2... Rhinos ink three players

Mendes returns, club signs Woolfolk and Blake

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Rochester Rhinos News Release - www.rhinossoccer.com

ROCHESTER, NY -- Rochester Raging Rhinos Vice President/General Manager Chris Economides announced today that the club has come to terms with forwards Alex Blake and Corey Woolfolk and re-signed defender Carlos Mendes to one-year deals.

"All three players were very high on our list of priorities this off-season" said Economides. "Woolfolk and Blake are talented compliments to Doug (Miller) up front, while Mendes certainly showed that he will be an important cog in our lineup."

Woolfolk, a native of Ann Arbor, Michigan, spent the 2003 campaign in a Pittsburgh Riverhounds uniform. Overshadowed by A-League MVP Thiago Martins, Woolfolk finished second on the Riverhounds with eight goals in 26 matches. Orignially drafted in the fifth round by the San Jose Earthquakes in the 2001 MLS Super Draft, Woolfolk led the 'Quakes in preseason scoring before being released following the signing of Landon Donovan. His A-League experience also includes 14 games with the Minnesota Thunder, where he scored six goals in 2001.

"Corey is a pesky, hard working forward" said Rhinos Head Coach Pat Ercoli. "His quickness allows him to aggressively close down defenses which will cause more scoring opportunities."

Rochester has also come to an agreement with their 2003 First Round draft pick Alex Blake. The 16th overall pick from Williams College, Blake spent 2003 on the Colorado Rapids Development Squad. The 6'1" 170 pound forward, was named a First Team All-American three years in a row at Williams College. He is currently the school's all-time leader in goals (81) and points (195) and tallied a school record 26 goals during his senior season. In addition, he earned First Team All-NESCAC and NSCAA/adidas All-New England honors.

"In addition to his quickness Alex brings a physical presence to our line-up. Spending last season with Colorado in the MLS was a valuable experience for him, which will add something to our squad" said Ercoli.

Mendes, spent his first A-League season with the Rhinos in 2003. After helping lead the Long Island Rough Riders to the D3 Championship, the 23-year old defender played in 20 matches, scoring one goal for Rochester. The Mineola, NY native was a First Team All-American three years in a row while attending Old Dominion University.

"Carlos showed us last season that he can be one of the best defenders in this league" said Ercoli. "We expect big things from Carlos and having a season of A-League play under his belt will add to his leadership on the field."

3... Lynx re-sign Mayard

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Toronto Lynx News Release - www.lynxsoccer.com

TORONTO, ON -- Defender Josue Mayard will be back in Toronto Lynx colours for the 2004 season, agreeing to a new contract this week.

In 2003, his first season with the Lynx, Mayard was among the team leaders in minutes played and recorded 2 goals to go along with his steady play in defense. Mayard's quickness and athleticism have made him a valuable member of the Haitian National Team, where he has spent the off-season training in preparation for 2006 World Cup Qualifying.

"I'm very happy to be back," says Mayard. "The Lynx know how to treat their players and made me feel comfortable and at home. So when the offer was made, I didn't think twice about resigning. We have a good group of guys, and are confident the results on the field will be positive this season." Mayard continues, assessing his own prospects for 2004, "I've been training with the Haitian National Team this off-season, so I should be in much better form for the start of the season this year. It took me a little while to get my legs last year, but I'm expecting a great year in 2004."

Lynx Open Trials in Full Swing

With the dream of cracking the Lynx roster, nearly 70 hopefuls, converged on the Oakville Sports Centre yesterday for the 2004 Toronto Lynx open trials. Many talented local players, along with internationals traveling from as far as Nigeria, Columbia and the United Kingdom, will spend the next few days trying to catch the eye of new Lynx head coach, Duncan Wilde. "The trials provide a great opportunity to evaluate local talent as well as getting a good look at some internationals that we feel can contribute to the Lynx success in 2004," says Wilde. "I am very happy with the talent level here today and definitely feel that some of these players can step in and play in the A-League immediately". The trials continue at the Oakville Sports Centre today from 9am-12pm and Friday at 4pm.

4... Impact sign Budalic

2002 Rookie of the Year returns from Sweden

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Montreal Impact News Release - www.montrealimpact.com

MONTREAL, QUE -- The Impact has acquired 25-year-old forward Nikola Budalic, who signed a three-year contract with the Montreal team.

The Kitchener native will be taking part in his second A-League season in 2004, after a stint in Sweden last year with the first-division Orebro Sportklubb Fotboll club. Following the 2002 season, he was proclaimed A-League Rookie of the Year after scoring 12 goals and collecting one assist with the Toronto Lynx, making him the team's top scorer and giving him seventh place among the league's goal-scorers.

"I'm really excited about joining the Impact," said Budalic. "They have been on top of the league for the past couple of years and the entire organization is first-rate."

"We're very happy to have him with us," said Impact head coach Nick DeSantis. "He's quick, he has a good left foot and he plays with a lot of intensity. He can play up front or wide, and he will bring us more depth in the attacking end of the field."

Budalic will provide support to the Impact's offensive trio of Eduardo Sebrango, Mauro Biello and Zé Roberto. Team captain Biello is Montreal's all-time leading scorer (55 goals, 53 assists and 163 points) and he led the team in scoring last season with a total of seven goals, six assists and 20 points. Sebrango was the Impact's leading scorer in 2002, setting two club records with a production of 18 goals and 36 points. Zé Roberto tallied 12 goals, nine assists and 33 points over the last two years, good for second place among the team's scorers in each of the last two seasons.

"I'm looking forward to playing in Montreal," added Budalic. "I hope to bring even more attacking options to the team."

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USL First Division Stories from January 27, 2004


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