Wake Forest Athletics
Deacs in the MLS - March 12
3/12/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
By Josh Gresh, Wake Forest Athletic Communications (@WakeMSoccer)
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - The 2015 Major League Soccer (MLS) season kicked off this past weekend and several Demon Deacons were in action. Here's a look at how Wake Forest players fared this weekend in the MLS and the others who will begin play in other professional leagues this season.
Ike Opara - Sporting Kansas City
After suffering a season-ending injury last season in March 2014, Opara made an impact right at the start of the 2015 season. Benny Feilhaber sent in a driven cross in the 50th minute and Opara, starting at center back, was there to head it home to give Sporting Kansas City a 1-0 lead over the New York Red Bulls. The New York Red Bulls would answer with a goal several minutes later, but Sporting KC held on to earn a point in the season opener. Opara earned MLS Team of the Week honors and recognition from MLSsoccer.com, Bleacher Report, Goal.com and NBC Pro Soccer Talk for his performance. Sporting Kansas City faces F.C. Dallas on Friday, March 14, at 8:30 p.m. 
Photo Gallery
Michael Parkhurst - Columbus Crew
Wearing the captain's arm band, Michael Parkhurst started in the Columbus Crew's season opening 1-0 loss on the road against the Houston Dynamo on Saturday. The Cranston, RI native played all 90 minutes and looks to help the team bounce back at home as Columbus hosts Toronto FC on Saturday, March 18, at 7:30 p.m.
Chris Duvall - New York Red Bulls
Starting all 90 minutes at the outside back position, Chris Duvall faced off against fellow Deacon Ike Opara as the New York Red Bulls earned a point with a 1-1 draw on Sunday. Duvall recorded two shots in the game, matching the number he took all of last season. Last year, he made 19 appearances and 18 starts in rookie season, playing 1,604 minutes and recorded one assist. The New York Red Bulls won't be back in action until Sunday, March 22, when they host D.C. United at 5 p.m. on ESPN2.
Sean Okoli - New England Revolution
After signing with Revolution after rights were acquired in a trade with Seattle Sounders at the MLS SuperDraft on Jan. 15, 2015, Okoli made his first appearance for New England against his former club on Sunday night. He came on as a substitute for the final 22 minutes in a 3-0 loss against the Seattle Sounders. He has already surpassed his minute total from last season after appearing in three matches for 19 total minutes last season for Seattle. Okoli will look to make another appearance as the New England Revolution will be back on the pitch on Sunday, March 15, against New York City F.C. on ESPN2 at 5 p.m.
Sam Cronin, James Riley, Jared Watts, and Ben Newnam - Colorado Rapids
Four Demon Deacons are currently on the Colorado Rapids' active roster heading into the 2015 season. James Riley, who was acquired from the L.A. Galaxy on March 6, made his first-career start and played all 90 minutes for the Rapids at right back on Saturday in a 0-0 draw against the Philadelphia Union. The Colorado Springs native makes a return to his home state with the move from the Galaxy.
Despite being on the opening day roster for Colorado, Sam Cronin and Jared Watts did not make an appearance. Cronin was on the game day roster on Saturday, but did not see any action off the bench. The Colorado Rapids traded for Cronin on January 19 from the San Jose Earthquakes. In 31 matches for San Jose, Cronin started 30 and scored two goals in 2014. Watts did not make the lineup on opening weekend, but is coming off a solid rookie campaign last year where he played in 17 matches and started in 13 of them. He finished the season with one assist for the Rapids.
Newnam was signed by the Rapids last week after playing with the Charlotte Eagles of the USL last season. With the Eagles, he scored two goals and dished out two assists, while starting in 27 of 28 matches he played in during the 2014 season. Colorado plays again on Saturday, March 21, hosting New York City F.C. at 4 p.m.
Michael Lahoud, Brian Carroll - Philadelphia Union
Two former Demon Deacons are on the active roster for Philadelphia for the start of the 2015 season. Michael Lahoud was on the opening day lineup for the Union, but did not see any action off the bench in a 0-0 draw on Saturday against the Colorado Rapids. Lahoud played in eight games last season, starting in four, and recording one assist. Brian Carroll did not make the lineup on opening day, but is currently on the roster for the Union. In 2014, he appeared in 21 matches, made 17 starts, and recorded one assist. The Philadelphia Union take on Real Salt Lake on Saturday, March 14, at 9:30 p.m.
Stephen Keel - FC Dallas
Although F.C. Dallas picked up a 1-0 victory over San Jose on Saturday, Stephen Keel was not in line. He is however on the team's active roster heading into the new MLS season. Last season, Keel played in 16 games and made 14 starts, recording one assist on the season. F.C. Dallas hosts Sporting Kansas City on Saturday, March 14, at 8:30 p.m.
Jalen Robinson and Collin Martin - D.C. United
Robinson and Martin are on the active roster for D.C. United, but did not appear in Saturday's 1-0 victory over Montreal Impact. Robinson has yet to make an appearance for club in his short career thus far, and Martin has made six career starts for D.C. United. Last season, Martin appeared in six matches and started in two. Up next, D.C. United takes on the New York Red Bulls on ESPN2 on Sunday, March 22, at 5 p.m.
Akira Fitzgerald - New York City F.C.
Signed on free transfer from the Carolina Railhawks of the NASL on December 11, 2014, Fitzgerald is one of three goalkeepers on the active roster for New York City F.C. and was the second-string keeper in the club's 1-1 draw with Orlando City F.C. on Sunday. This is Fitzgerald's first MLS club team of his career after spending time with the Carolina Railhawks.
Sam Fink - St. Louis F.C. (USL PRO)
Last season's team captain for Wake Forest has now signed a professional contract. Fink inked a deal with St. Louis F.C. on Saturday, March 7 to join the club. During his time at Wake Forest, he appeared in 74 matches and made 54 starts. He scored six goals and had two assists for 14 points as a Deacon. St. Louis F.C. kicks off the 2015 season on Saturday, March 28, against Louisville City F.C. at 2 p.m.
Anthony Arena - Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL PRO)
Arena is on the roster for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds of the USL PRO this season. Last season, Arena played in 16 matches and had 15 starts. The Riverhounds open their season on Saturday, March 28, against the Harrisburg City Islanders.
Cody Arnoux , Corben Bone, Justin Moose, and Ross Tomaselli - Wilmington Hammerheads (USL PRO)
Arnoux returns to the Hammerheads after scoring two goals and tallying an assist in 27 games last season. Bone officially joined the Hammerheads this season but joined MLS club affiliate New York City F.C. for the preseason before the USL regular season begins. Bone was on loan to the Hammerheads last season from the Philadelphia Union before officially joining the club. Justin Moose joins the club for the 2015 season after playing at Seinäjoen Jalkapallokerho of the Veikkausliiga in Finland. Tomaselli also will rejoin the Hammerheads for the upcoming season after appearing in eight games last season.
Austin da Luz and Wells Thompson - Carolina Railhawks (NASL)
Two Deacons are on the Carolina Railhawks roster for the 2015 season. Da Luz was signed on March 5 to join the club from Orlando City S.C. Thompson joined the Railhawks after playing with the Charlotte Eagles of the USL last season, where he scored six goals and had four assists in 25 appearances and 23 starts.
