Former ODU Soccer standout Alex DeJohn (Marlboro, NJ.)is playing professionally in Finland for EIF. His team is in Division II Finnish league called Kakkonen South.
“We are currently in first place by seven points with a 9-4-1 record,” said DeJohn.” I am playing centerback, starting every match thus far. It’s been a great experience as I am learning a lot. I would say the pace in college soccer is a little bit faster and more physical, here it’s more technical.”
The season ends in around the middle of October when the playoffs begin. Only one team from each of the four Leagues in division II make it with two getting promoted to Division One.
DeJohn earned second team All-CAA defensive honors in 2012. He also scored a goal in ODU’s nationally televised match on Fox Soccer against George Mason.
Other notes: Two of his Monarch teammates, Yannick Smith and Jordan LeBlanc are also in the same Division, but in another league. Another teammate from last year, Chris Harmon is playing in Spain.
Goalkeeper Evan Newton (’11) is with the MLS San Jose Earthquakes, while Two-time CAA Defensive Player of the Year David Horst (’07) is with the Portland Timbers. Horst, who has played in 39 matches with 34 starts has been sidelined with a leg injury after playing four matches earlier this season.
Eight-year MLS veteran Carlos Mendes (’01) along with Nane Joseph (’10) are now playing for the New York Cosmos of the (NASL) North American Soccer League. Mendes played seven years with the MLS New York Red Bulls and last season with the Columbus Crew. Joseph played for Colorado and Toronto FC.
The teams in the NASL include: Atlanta Silverbacks, Carolina RailHawks located in Cary, NC., FC Edmonton, Fort Lauderdale Strikers, Minnesota United, located in Blaine, MN., New York Cosmos,located in Hempstead, NY., San Antonio Scorpions and the Tampa Bay Rowdies.