Wake Forest Athletics
Deacs in the MLS - March 14
3/14/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
March 14, 2011
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - With the 2011 MLS season set to begin Tuesday, here is a look at where some former Wake Forest men's soccer players will be playing this season.
Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Seattle Sounders - Tuesday, March 15 - 9:30 p.m. - ESPN
Seattle Sounders: James Riley
LA Galaxy: None
Deportivo Saprissa (Costa Rica) vs. Real Salt Lake - Tuesday, March 15 - 10 p.m. - FSC - CONCACAF Champions League Semifinals
Real Salt Lake: Cody Arnoux
Portland Timbers vs. Colorado Rapids - Saturday, March 19 - 9 p.m. - FSC
Colorado Rapids: Wells Thompson
Portland Timbers: None
Forward Cody Arnoux will play his first season in MLS with Real Salt Lake after the club acquired him in a lottery this winter. Arnoux played for the Everton reserve team in England after leaving Wake Forest, before returning to North America to join the Vancouver Whitecaps of the USSF D-2 last season.
Midfielder Corben Bone begins his second season with the Chicago Fire. Bone played in 5 MLS matches with the club last season.
Midfielder Brian Carroll will begin his first season with the Philadelphia Union in 2011. Carroll had played the last few seasons with the Columbus Crew, and last year started 27 matches for the team, scoring one goal.
Midfielder Sam Cronin is back with the San Jose Earthquakes after being traded to the club in the middle of the 2010 season. Cronin make 23 MLS appearances last year and started 16 of the 17 games that he played for the Earthquakes.
Midfielder Austin da Luz is in his second season with the New York Red Bulls. Da Luz was hampered by injuries in his rookie year, but will be looking to fight his way into the lineup this season. The son of Wake Forest women's soccer coach Tony da Luz, Austin scored a goal in the Red Bulls preseason friendly against Tucson FC last week.
Goalkeeper Will Hesmer begins his fifth season with the Columbus Crew. Hesmer started 30 games for the club in net last season, making 84 saves and recording a 1.10 goals against average.
Defender Stephen Keel is back in MLS after recently signing a contract with the New York Red Bulls. Keel played for the USL First Division Portland Timbers the last two seasons. His most recent MLS action came in 2009 when he was a member of the Colorado Rapids.
Midfielder Michael Lahoud is back with Chivas USA for a third season. Lahoud saw action in 23 matches last year, starting 20 of them, and finished the season with three assists.
Defender Ike Opara starts his second season with the San Jose Earthquakes. Last year, Opara made 11 starts for the Earthquakes last season. Despite playing on the back line and seeing limited action due to an injury that kept him out of the line up for almost three months, Opara scored three goals, tied for the second-most on the team.
Midfielder Pat Phelan returns to the New England Revolution for his fourth season. Last year, Phelan tied for the team lead with 28 appearances, scoring two goals and adding one assist for a total of five points.
Defender James Riley is back for a third season with the Seattle Sounders. Riley was a pivotal member of the Sounders' defense last season, starting 27 matches and finishing the year with one goal and three assists.
Forward Zack Schilawski will look to build on an outstanding rookie season with the New England Revolution. Schilawski made 25 appearances for the club, scoring five goals, which was good for second on the team.
Forward Scott Sealy returns for a second season with the San Jose Earthquakes. After signing with the club last season, Sealy saw action in 15 regular season games and three playoff games. Sealy ended the year with two assists, one in the regular season and one against the New York Red Bulls in the playoff conference seminfinals.
Midfielder Wells Thompson is back for a second season with the defending MLS Cup Champion Colorado Rapids. Thompson played in 27 games for the club and found the back of the net twice. He was a substitute in the MLS Cup Final as the Rapids defeated FC Dallas 2-1 in overtime.
