College Soccer News: Running With The Bulls Could Be Dangerous

[Mama_Bull]

Bulls Will Contend For Big East Title

South Florida  Adds Eleven Newcomers   

Running With The Bulls Could Be Dangerous

South Florida -  George Kiefer’s 2010 eleven member recruiting class has a strong international flavor to it.   The class includes defender Luis Avila who was a member of the Venezuelan U-17 National Team, defender Marius Krathe who was a member of the Norwegian U-18 National Team, midfielder Paul Leston who was a member of the Trinidad and Tobago U-17 National Team, and midfielder Ricardo Webb and forward Christopher Waugh who were members of the Jamaican U-23 National Teams.  Kiefer stated, “We are extremely excited about the recruiting class that we signed.  We feel that we have quality student-athletes both athletically as well as academically that will help us move our program towards our goal of winning a national championship.â€

The Bulls had some rebuilding to do last year but that didn’t keep them from recording a 14-4-3 overall record, a high national ranking, and earning the program’s third consecutive NCAA Tourney berth.  Under Kiefer, who will be entering his ninth season at USF with a 93-47-19 record that includes a fourteen win season in 2007, a fifteen win season in 2008 and a fourteen win season in 2009, the Bulls have now become perennial title contenders in the Big East, and a nationally ranked team.  This year should be no different unless Kiefer experiences complications in merging his new recruits with his returning players and is unable to get the bump in productivity that he expects from the newcomers. 

Last year South Florida put the ball in the back of the net thirty-one times while holding opponents to eighteen goals.  Years ago the book on the Bulls was that they played very well at times and not so well at others.  They appeared to lack the team cohesiveness and depth required to consistently play at the level  needed to challenge for a conference title and a high national ranking.  Those days look to be over.  The Bulls remain an attack oriented team but over the past few years they have also been among the most balanced teams in the country playing well on both sides of the ball, particularly on defense.   

Any mention of South Florida’s defensive tenacity has to begin with senior goalkeeper Jeff Attinella who played every minute in goal for the Bulls last year and posted a 0.83 goals against average while recording seven shutouts.  Attinella was a 2009 consensus All-American and was named the Big East Goalkeeper of the Year.   He will anchor an experienced and quick South Florida defense.  Sophomore Alex Spock also returns in goal.  Senior Javed Mohammed (1g, 11a) who was a 2009 All-Big East Second-Team selection, junior Aubrey Perry who was invited to the U.S. U-20 National Team camp in San Jose, and sophomore Ashani Fairclough (1g, 3a) return to give the Bulls a backline that is a team strength  heading into the 2010 season.  Junior Christian Silva is among other returning defenders. 

On the offensive side of the ball the Bulls must replace forwards Zak Boggs (4g, 1a) and Ogi Perucica (1g, 3a) and midfielders Fran Aristeguieta (0g, 3a) and Jorge Mora (4g, 4a) due to graduation.  Boggs and Aristeguieta were All-Big East Third-Team selections.     

Sophomore Hasani Sinclair (5g, 5a), who was a College Soccer News Third-Team All-Freshman selection, had an impressive freshman season and is among the strikers who Keifer will no doubt count on for offensive firepower in 2010.  Senior Andre Mittoo will also play a key role either up-top or as a defender.  Newcomers Christopher Waugh from Portmore, Jamaica and T.J. Roehn from Tampa could also challenge for playing time up-top.

The South Florida midfield requires a little rebuilding but the Bull linkmen should be very competitive and quick and will be able to run with anyone.  Returning starters include redshirt junior Bernando Anor (6g, 1a) who was a 2009 All-Big East Second Team selection,  junior Sebastien Thuriere (6g, 3a) who adds another dimension to the attack, and senior Fernando Gonzalez (1g, 4a)  who has been a starter for the past two seasons.  Talented senior Shawn Chin (1g, 0a) who missed a large part of the 2009 season due to a broken foot also returns along with sophomore Kevin Olali (0g, 2a) who saw action in thirteen contests last year.   Junior Santi Alexis should also be in the mix for playing time in the midfield. 

Kiefer will enter the 2010 season continuing to look for that certain something that will take the program to the next level.  For the sake of clarity, let’s define next level as a trip to the Final Four in NCAA Tourney play.  That may be a stretch for the Bulls in 2010 but it definitely is not out of the question.       

Luis Avila - Defender - Colegio Jefferson High School - Caracas, Venezuela - Member of Venezuelan U-15 and U-17 National Teams.

J.J. Bostic - Defender - East Lake High School - Dunedin, Florida - Played club soccer with the Clearwater Chargers Development Academy.

Brandon Curriston -  Midfielder - Niceville High School - Niceville, Florida - Member of Florida and Region III ODP teams.  Plays club with FC America. 

Marius Krathe - Defender - St. Olav Viderecgaende High School -  Saltnes, Norway - Member of the Norwegian U-17 and U-18 National Teams.  Played with KVIK Halden. 

Eric Osswald - Goalkeeper - Olentangy Liberty High School - Powell, Ohio - Member Columbus Crew Academy.  Named to U.S. Soccer Development Academy U/17/18 Central Conference Starting XI.

Leston Paul - Midfielder - St. Mary’s High School - Mayaro, Trinidad - Played with Trinidad and Tobago National Teams.  Captain of the U-23 National Team. 

T.J. Roehn - Forward - Berkley Prep - Tampa, Florida - Named Hillsborough County Player of the Year.  Plays for Clearwater Chargers of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy.

Ben Sweat - Defender - Palm Harbor High School - Palm Harbor, Florida - Named U.S. Soccer Development Academy U-17/U/18 East Conference Starting XI.  Played for Clearwater Chargers. 

Shane Wixled - Midfielder - Seminole High School - Melbourne Beach, Florida - Plays with Clearwater Chargers Academy Team.  Led high school team to 5A State Championship match.

Ricardo Webb - Midfielder - Glenmuir High School - Clarendon, Jamaica - Played with Portmore United Sr. Team.  Named to the Jamaican School Boys All-Star Team in 2009. 

http://collegesoccernews.com./index_files/Page6021.htm

2010 Pre-Season Top 30 Poll

13.   South Florida - The Bulls were 14-4-3 last year while rebuilding.   Nine starters return including All-American goalkeeper Jeff Attinella,  defender Javed Mohammed (1g, 11a), and junior midfielder Bernardo Anor (6g, 1a).  Sophomore Hasani Sinclair (5g, 5a) will power the attack.   The schedule is competitive but conducive to a successful season.

In the Big East, only St Johns has a better preseason ranking at #12, with UConn #22 & UL #24

http://collegesoccernews.com./index_files/Page11177.htm

2010 Second Team Pre-Season All-America

Jeff Attinella - Senior - Goalkeeper - South Florida

Coincidentally, former USF player  Diego Restrepo - Senior - Goalkeeper - Virginia made 1st team.

http://www.collegesoccernews.com/index_files/Page413.htm

[Dogma]

Cant wait for the Fall term to start (besides classes)

[outrunner]

Mama, you seem shocked to find out were are on the edge of making the final four in the College Cup.  This has been coming for a while now, and we need to get as many people out as possible.  It sure would be nice to get a full stadium, especially with Virginia Tech, West Virginia, and Rutgers coming in this year.  Of course, it will be nice opening a new soccer stadium next year being able to hang a new Big East championship banner and a College Cup banner as well.

[Mama_Bull]

Mama, you seem shocked to find out were are on the edge of making the final four in the College Cup.  This has been coming for a while now, and we need to get as many people out as possible.  It sure would be nice to get a full stadium, especially with Virginia Tech, West Virginia, and Rutgers coming in this year.  Of course, it will be nice opening a new soccer stadium next year being able to hang a new Big East championship banner and a College Cup banner as well.

I've been following the team for years. So, I wouldn't be shocked if they make it to the final 4. I'm shocked that CSN thinks they can. I just wanted to highlight that part by putting a picture for people who don't follow the team that closely.

[lewdtenant]

USF has probably been a top 20 program in the nation in terms of success on the field over the last 6 or so years I would hazard to guess.

[Rizman]

Can the players bring their tallent together on the field that is Keifer's job and if he can do that you will see a final 4 team.