June 25, 2012
For the second straight season four former Soccer Monarch standouts are on current Major League Soccer rosters. Veteran defender Carlos Mendes (Columbus Crew), Goalkeeper Evan Newton (San Jose Earthquake), midfielder Nane Joseph (Colorado Rapids) and two-time CAA Defender of the Year David Horst (Portland Timbers). All four played for ODU head coach Alan Dawson, theschool's winningest men's soccer coach.
Carlos Mendes ('01) After seven years with New york red Bulls, Mendes joined the Columbus Crew. He has thus far played and started three matches. Mendes joined the league in 2005. In the 2008 season he Moved into the central defensive spot helping the team to a 1-0 win over Real Salt Lake, and its firstever MLS Cup Final. After missing much of the 2009 season due to a severe hip injury, Mendes returned in 2010 with perhaps his best season since joining the club. On Oct. 21, 2010 Mendes helped the Red Bulls clinch the regular season Eastern Conference title. On March 26, 2011, Mendes became the sixth New York player to hit 10,000 MLS minutes for the team. By seasons end he moved into second place on The all-time franchise list in games played, started and minutes played. 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 is now in his second season with the Portland Timbers. Acquired as the ninth overall pick in the 2010 MLS Expansion Draft, he joined 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 Year in 2007 and 2006. He was a second team All-American in 2007. In 2006 and 07 Horst helped ODU reach the third round of the NCAA College Cup.
Nane Joseph ('10) joined Colorado last year as he played 10 matches with two starts. 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 20010 ODU Alumni Association's Co-Male Athlete of the Year.
Evan Newton ('11) Newton joined the San Jose earthquakes for the 2012 season. In 2011 was a member of the Houston Dynamo. During the season he was loaned to FC Tampa Bay of the North American Soccer League. He returned to Houston at the end of the season. 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. . 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 the Year.