April 7, 2011
The 2011 Major League Soccer season has four former Soccer Monarch standouts on its current rosters. All-CAA goal keeper Evan Newton (Houston Dynamos), veteran Carlos Mendes (Ny/NJ Red Bull), Nane Joseph (Colorado Rapids) and Two-time CAA Defender of the Year David Horst (Portland Timbers).
Click on the video link below to hear coach Dawson's comments on our MLS players and ODU's Spring season recap.
Carlos Mendes ('01)Mendes joined the league in 2005, and after missing much of the 2009 season due to a severe hip injury, Mendes returned to action in 2010 with perhaps his best season since joining the club. The longest tenured Red Bull took over a starting spot in central defense midway through the season, and helped the New York defense become the stingiest in the Eastern Conference. At ODU Mendes earned All CAA honors in 1999, 2000 and 2001. He was the CAA Rookie of the Year in 1998 and two -time All-Region.
David Horst ('07)Horst, acquired as the ninth overall pick in the 2010 MLS Expansion Draft, joins the Timbers after three seasons as a member of Real Salt Lake. The former USL Premier Development League Defender of the Year spent much of the 2010 season on loan with the USSF Division-2 Pro League's Puerto Rico Islanders and was a key piece of the Islanders' run to the league title and performance in the 2010-11 CONCACAF Champions League.At ODU, Horst was the CAA's Defensive Player of the Yearin 2007 and 2006. He was a second team All-American in 2007.
Nane Joseph ('10)Acquired: Acquired on November 30, 2010 in a trade with Toronto FC in exchange for Colorado's natural third round 2012 MLS SuperDraft pick. A native of Cameroon, Nane appeared in 18 overall competitions for Toronto his rookie season.Appeared in 11 games, with eight starts, playing 614 minutes in his rookie campaign.Made his MLS debut playing 90 minutes at New England (4/10). Played in five of TFC's CONCACAF Champions League matches, starting three vs. Montagua (7/27) and (8/3) and vs. Cruz Azul (9/21) and coming on as a sub vs. Cruz Azul (8/17) and vs. Arabe Unido (8/24). Originally selected with the 53rd overall pick in the fourth round of the 2010 MLS SuperDraft by Toronto FC. Joseph earned NSCAA All-American honors, first team All-CAA and All-State honors as a senior. He was also the 20010ODU Alumni Association's Co-Male Athlete of the Year.
Evan Newton ('11)Collegiate goalkeeper with youth international experience selected in the first round of the 2011 MLS Supplemental Draft...INTERNATIONAL: Former member of U.S. U-17 residency program in Bradenton, Fla. ... Played with Ofori Sarkodie, older brother of Dynamo defender Kofi Sarkodie.At Old Dominion University he finished as all-time leader in saves and shutouts ... 2010: First team all-Colonial Athletic Association ... Posted six shutouts and a 1.07 GAA ... Made four saves in 1-0 upset of defending national champion Virginia in NCAA tournament first round. Named Premier Development League Goalkeeper of the Year in 2007 after allowing only three goals in 14 games for the Hampton Roads Piranhas ... Three-time NSCAA/adidas Youth All-American...The 2006 CAA Rookie of theYear.